Steroids & Diabetes

Introduction

Corticosteroids (steroids) are hormones similar to those naturally occurring in the body that are produced to fight stress, injury and disease. They are useful anti-inflammatory medications and can be used to treat asthma, arthritis, dermatitis and to prevent nausea during medical procedures such as chemotherapy. These steroids are different to the anabolic steroids often used to build muscle mass, for example by weight lifters.

Certain forms of steroids can affect blood glucose levels in people with and without diabetes. Often people who have diabetes and are taking large doses of steroids prescribed by their doctor for a medical condition, need to temporarily commence or increase diabetes tablets or insulin injections.

In this Section

• What are some common names used for corticosteroids?
• What effect can steroids have on blood glucose levels?
• Why is it important to reduce high blood glucose levels?
• Does steroid therapy have any other side effects?
• How to manage your diabetes and steroid therapy
• Points to remember when starting steroid therapy
• Useful contacts

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