Question

What is the reason when the patient is receiving steroids, he need to get a blood sugar check? Why some of these patient will also get an insulin sliding scale while they are on steroid therapy?

Answer 1

Increase in blood sugar is a side effect of steroids like prednisolone , methylprednisolone amd others they leads to increase in blood glucose level by causing insulin resistance, usually blood sugar come back to normal once steroid is stopped but in the individual with associated risk factors for diabetes mellitus type 2 it aggravates into disease. This is the main reason why blood glucose level should always be monitored in patients on steroid.slide insulin sacale is therapy based on insulin regimen given based on the amount of blood glucose present. So some patient with associated risknfactors and underlying conditions use insulin sliding scale while on steroid.

Hope this helps. All the best ?