What to Know About Diabetes Fatigue

Those living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are generally aware of the symptoms that go along with high blood sugar. One nonspecific symptom of high blood sugar that people with diabetes often experience is fatigue.

For people with a recent diagnosis of the condition or those with normal or prediabetic levels, however, symptoms of high blood sugar may not be as apparent. It can be difficult to differentiate between the symptoms of high blood sugar and other ailments because some can be nonspecific.

This article discusses how high blood sugar causes fatigue, ways to recognize high blood sugar, and how to prevent it.

Why Does High Blood Sugar Cause Fatigue?

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of high blood sugar. In people with diabetes, it is referred to as diabetes fatigue. Many people with the condition feel tired all the time regardless of how well they sleep or eat and whether they exercise regularly.

Research has shown that up to 68% of people with diabetes experience fatigue. However, fatigue doesn’t just occur in those with diabetes. It can also happen in people with normal or prediabetic blood sugar levels if they experience a sudden spike in their blood sugar.

Certain conditions can also cause fatigue, such as:

• Poor sleep quality
• Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as poor diet quality, skipping meals, lack of exercise, and excessive caffeine or alcohol intake
• Anemia
• Obesity
• Fibromyalgia
• Diabetes complications, such as neuropathy, heart failure, or kidney disease
• Hypothyroidism

When the body experiences a spike in blood sugar levels, it goes into overdrive trying to make enough insulin to balance the blood sugar. If there isn’t enough insulin or the body isn’t responding to the insulin as it should, your body will start to pull from fat to create the energy it needs.

When this happens, energy is used from the splitting of a molecule known as adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. When ATP expels one of its three phosphates for energy, it turns into another molecule known as adenosine diphosphate, or ADP. If there are no energy sources to pull from, the ATP cannot regain the phosphate it gave away, leading to fatigue.

Does Diabetes Medication Cause Fatigue?

Certain diabetes drugs as well as numerous other medications that people with diabetes often take can cause fatigue as a side effect.

Corticosteroids, statins, diuretics, and beta-blockers used to treat diabetes complications are known to cause fatigue. Diabetes medications that may cause fatigue include biguanides (such as metformin) and insulin.

Long-term use of metformin can cause a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to severe tiredness. Insulin can cause fatigue if the dose is too high and causes hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

How to Identify Blood Sugar Spikes

Fatigue is associated with a myriad of other conditions, as well as just day-to-day life and other stressors, so it alone cannot tell you whether you are experiencing a blood sugar spike. People with diabetes are encouraged to check their blood sugar levels to detect any sudden changes. This is one of the ways they can identify when blood sugar spikes happen.

The most common cause of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is improper insulin production. Insulin is the hormone that is tasked with regulating blood sugar levels, and if it is not being produced at high enough levels or at all, it can lead to high blood sugar levels.

There are a few reasons why insulin levels in the body are inadequate, including:

• Eating too much
• Not exercising
• Being chronically stressed
• Not receiving enough insulin from treatment
• Having a malfunctioning diabetes pump
• Having insulin that is ineffective at managing blood sugar levels

Other risk factors that contribute to diabetes include:

• Weight
• Older age
• History of smoking
• High cholesterol levels
• High blood pressure

For a person without diabetes, insulin levels are unlikely to be considered at all. This is why it can be helpful to keep a food log and note levels of fatigue or other symptoms following every meal.

If fatigue generally sets in after eating, it could be a sign that it’s attributed to blood sugar levels. If this does happen, you should follow up with a healthcare provider and have your blood sugar levels checked.

How to Prevent Diabetes Fatigue

Blood sugar spikes that cause fatigue can be avoided using certain strategies, including:

• Eating a balanced diet: By balancing macronutrients such as carbohydrates, fat, and protein, a blood sugar spike can be avoided. Research has shown that the quality of the macronutrients, as well as the amount, plays a vital role in how well the body breaks down the food and how well insulin responds to the food. The best foods to choose are those that are digested slowly, such as quinoa, legumes, nuts, lean protein, fresh fruit, and dairy products. By eating these types of foods, blood sugar levels will rise slower and be more stable.
• Getting regular exercise: Exercising consistently has been shown to help keep blood sugar levels in check. The type of exercise doesn’t matter as much, and both high-intensity and moderate-intensity exercises provided the same results. Endocrinologists generally recommend people exercise after eating.
• Trading out simple carbs for complex carbs: Eating refined carbs such as white bread, white rice, desserts, chips, and breakfast cereals can all lead to spikes in blood sugar because they are quickly digested. Complex carbs, on the other hand, are digested more slowly. Examples include oats, beans, brown rice, quinoa, and whole wheat bread. By choosing complex over refined carbs in moderate portions, you can avoid blood sugar spikes.
• Taking your vitamins and minerals: Ensuring you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs could also help to control blood sugar levels, especially when it comes to magnesium and chromium. Studies have shown that combining magnesium with chromium could improve insulin resistance and thus help lessen spikes in blood sugar levels.
• Relaxing: Stress can play a big role in blood sugar levels. Practicing stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or journaling may help lower stress levels and in turn prevent spikes in blood sugar.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

It’s normal to feel fatigued sometimes, but if fatigue lasts longer than two weeks, it may be time to see a healthcare provider.

Talk to a healthcare provider if, in addition to fatigue, you have symptoms such as:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Lose weight without trying
• Increased hunger
• Blurry vision
• Numb or tingling hands or feet
• Very dry skin
• Sores that heal slowly

These symptoms could be a sign that you have or are at risk of developing diabetes.

For those who already have diabetes, regular appointments to monitor blood glucose and manage diabetes will ensure you have the right treatment plan for you.

Summary

High blood sugar can cause fatigue that contributes to diabetes fatigue, and blood sugar swings can also cause fatigue in people with normal blood sugar levels.

For people with diabetes, blood sugar spikes can be identified by regularly checking blood sugar levels. For people who don't have diabetes, keeping a food log and noting levels of fatigue or other symptoms may help identify spikes in blood sugar and the cause of fatigue.

Talk to a healthcare provider if fatigue continues for more than two weeks or if you have other symptoms along with fatigue.