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March 28, 2002

Exercise and Sports, Family Planning

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Question from Bangkok, Thailand:

I’m 24 years old, and about three months ago, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in my 38th week of pregnancy. The doctor said it’s weird case because my baby didn’t have any sign of it like being bigger than a normal baby (weight 2.2 kilograms). I had an ultrasound two days before I went into DKA [diabetic ketoacidosis], and my baby still fine. However, the night I went into coma, the doctor said my baby was shock because of my 600 mg/dl [33.3 mmol/L] blood sugar, and I lost her.

Today, I have recovered from any sorrow, can accept what I have, and I try to work out to keep me heathy, but I wonder why my blood sugar is so high after exercise. Is it normal to have high blood sugar after exercising for an hour?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

I would expect your blood sugar to be low after exercise. You should discuss this with the doctor who is managing your diabetes. You may need to adjust how much insulin you are taking and your diet.

I am sorry that your baby died. If you become pregnant again, be sure that you are taken care of by a doctor who specializes in high risk pregnancies.

OWJ

[Editor’s comment: It is not unusual to see a rise in blood sugar related to exercise. This rise immediately post exercise can be related to the hormones produced and resulting liver glycogen release during higher intensity exercise. However, later on, it will drop because exercise changes the insulin receptors on the surface of the muscles, fat cells and liver cells. This allows the body to be significantly more efficient and utilize less insulin to get cellular energy requirements met. So, if you blood sugar is high right after you have exercised, do not respond with extra insulin. Instead wait a couple of hours to see what is happening. Otherwise you could be running the risk of hypoglycemia.

I too am sorry about your loss. Please see Planning a Pregnancy at the Diabetes Monitor for additional information.

SS]