Low Blood Sugar from Pred, should I be worried?

I have been on 40 mg of Pred for about 3 weeks now. I just dropped today to 35mg. I have been feeling really hungry when I wake up, so much so I feel sick. My pharmacist friend suggested I start checking my blood sugar when I wake.

It has been low, in the hypoglycemia range. It is usually about 60.

I know it is most likely a side effect of the pred but does that mean the pred is starting to negatively affect me and I should get off sooner? Should I call my doctor? Anyone else had this problem?

Hi there,

Typically Prednisone causes HYPERglycemia, and not hypoglycemia aka "low blood sugar." Definitely report this to your doc. What you are experiencing may not actually be low blood sugar. You'd need to verify that in the way your pharmacist suggested. It's not abnormal to feel ravenous on steroids, that's for sure. When you feel like you have low blood sugar, what does that feel like exactly? Usually hypoglycemia presents with irritability, clammy skin, sweating, fatigue, weakness, shakiness, anxiety, etc. This is NOT what you would expect while taking Prednisone. Some people actually require insulin therapy while on steroids because they develop HYPERglycemia.

Hope that helps!

-Jenna