It is a natural occurrence in everybody to have a rise in blood glucose (blood sugar) in the early morning hours. This is known as Dawn Phenomenon and usually occurs between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. For diabetics this can mean hyperglycemia, abnormally high blood sugar levels. For most people, the rise in blood glucose is just enough energy for the body to wake up and get the day started.

Dawn Phenomenon is caused by counterregulatory hormones being released by the body during the overnight hours. Counterregulatory hormones include growth hormones, cortisol, glucagon, adrenaline, and catecholomaines and signal the liver to release glucose while suppressing the activity of insulin.

For non-diabetics, once excess glucose starts to accumulate, insulin is released to move the excess glucose into the body’s cells. However, for diabetics, the Dawn Phenomenon process usually results in increased blood sugar levels. The effects are different for everyone, with some people being more strongly affected than others.

For me, my blood sugar levels used to always be higher in the morning than whatever I had been before going to bed. I could never understand that until I learned about Dawn Phenomenon. Now, almost without fail, because of the changes I have made in managing my diabetes, my morning fasting blood sugar level is lower than the night before. Sounds like progress to me!