Understanding High Morning Blood Sugars

Sometimes blood sugar rises in the morning even if you haven’t eaten. Two common causes are the Somogyi effect and the Dawn phenomenon.

• Somogyi effect happens when blood sugar drops too low overnight, which triggers your liver to release glucose and results in a morning spike.
• Dawn phenomenon is a rise caused by natural hormone changes in the early morning, even without a low blood sugar beforehand.

Both lead to high morning readings because hormones tell the liver to release extra glucose.

What You Can Do

The first step is to talk with your Diabetes Educator or Endocrinologist. They may ask you to check your blood sugar at different times overnight (before bed, once or twice during the night, and first thing in the morning) to see your pattern.

Depending on what you and your care team discover, possible next steps include:

• Adjusting your insulin type or timing.
• Taking long-acting insulin in the evening so it covers the early morning rise.
• Using a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) to track trends.
• Switching to an insulin pump, which can adjust basal insulin automatically.

Lifestyle Strategies That May Help

In addition to medical options, these daily habits may reduce morning highs:

• Have a balanced evening snack – A small snack with protein, fiber, and healthy fat (like whole grain crackers with cheese or Greek yogurt with chia seeds) may prevent overnight glucose spikes.
• Choose a lighter, lower-carb dinner – More protein, fiber, and healthy fat at dinner can help reduce overnight glucose buildup.
• Add some movement after dinner – A short walk or light exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and help keep blood sugar steadier overnight.
• Prioritize sleep and stress management – Hormones like cortisol affect blood sugar. Consistent sleep and stress-reducing habits make a difference.