How steroids affect our blood gluocse?

Steroids are divided into glucocorticosteroid and mineralocorticosteroid (refer table below).

From the name, glucocorticosteroid, the word "gluco-" tells us that this group of steroid can affect glucose level. The glucocorticosteroid can cause hyperglycemia.

·         The effect is dose dependent.

·         From a clinical standpoint, corticosteroids primarily increase postprandial blood glucose levels, whereas fasting levels are unaffected or only mildly elevated.

·         Dexamethasone & betamethasone elevate blood glucose more (25x of the elevation caused by hydrocortisone), followed by fludrocortisone (10 x), triamcinolone &methyl-prednisolone (5 x), prednisolone & prednisone (4 x) if compared with hydrocortisone. * Based on their glucocorticoid potency.