Is Dexamethasone I took for COVID-19 the cause for my elevated blood sugar levels?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for your query.

Dexamethasone is a steroid, and it increases sugar levels. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and stress also can increase your sugar levels. If you are feeling fine and good, then you have two options for high sugar levels. You can increase tablet Amaryl (Glimepiride) to 3 mg in the morning and 2 mg in the evening, and if it is still high, you can add tablet Sitagliptin 50 mg. Otherwise, you need to take Insulin for about two weeks. During corona treatment, your target sugar levels should be 100 mg/dL to 150 mg/dL while fasting and not more than 200 mg/dL after food. Once you stop Dexamethasone, your sugar levels will come down in a week or so, and accordingly, you need to decrease your medication. You need to check your sugar more frequently. As far as diet is concerned, do not take simple sugar. Take compound sugar with dietary fibers. Diet cannot control sugar when someone is taking Dexamethasone. Compound sugar includes bread, rice, etc. Simple sugar are sugar itself, glucose, and fruit juices.

Thanks a lot.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thanks for the query. Normally your sugar level can be controlled with diet and exercise, as you have mentioned. Once you recover from the COVID-19 infection, your sugar levels will be under control. But when you are taking Dexamethasone, a steroid, it will increase the sugar level, so you need some medicines to control your sugar level, which is happening right now. You should not overeat, but you should eat a well-balanced diet, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Just try to keep carbohydrates a little less. Take eggs, chicken, yogurt, salad, and few fruits into your diet. Continuous high sugar levels can delay the recovery process of any disease, including COVID-19. But rigorous control of sugar level is not advised. Keep your targets, as I have already mentioned. The same is valid for immunity. It is essential to keep yourself very hydrated with fluids and water. Do simple exercises like walking if you do not feel sick.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It is good to walk even within your house. You can keep your steps to nearly 7000 a day, or if you can reach 10000, it is excellent. Once you are on Dexamethasone, it is almost impossible to keep your sugar levels down without medication. I am not aware of your high uric acid levels, but if your uric acid is high, you need to be careful about protein intake. You can still take in moderate amounts like one egg on alternate days. In this scenario, salads and fibers are better choices. For the COVID-19 infection, more fluid is beneficial. Take about two to three liters of water. It is better to take warm water.

Ginger, clove, black pepper, garlic, cinnamon, and green tea are better options. Sleep seven to eight hours a day. Go to bed by 9.30 PM to 10 PM, that is when the sleep hormone melatonin is secreted and gives a refreshing sleep. Try to control your stress by reading books of interest, watching television or any movie, listening to music, and doing meditation. All these can soothe your mind. You can even do breathing exercises to relax.