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June 18, 2001

Hyperglycemia and DKA

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Question from Winter Park, Florida, USA:

Please explain what happens within the body to cause elevated blood sugar readings first thing in the morning. Do people with and without diabetes have elevated sugar when they wake up?

Answer:

From: DTeam Staff

Elevated blood sugar readings first thing in the morning. are mainly due to hepatic gluconeogenesis (production of glucose by the liver) that occurs between late night and dawn depending upon various metabolic, therapeutic factors and caloric intake of the past day. In people without diabetes, fasting blood sugars are normal, and any increase must be properly investigated by your doctor.

MS

[Editor’s comment: This process, that results in elevated blood sugars at dawn in people with diabetes, is frequently called the dawn phenomenon.

WWQ]