Why do I spike my glucose overnight? / Why do I wake up with Lingo Counts?

Glucose spikes don’t all occur from food or only during the day. Cortisol and adrenaline associated with stress can cause the liver to release more glucose into circulation than the muscle can absorb resulting in a glucose spike and Lingo Counts. The stress hormone cortisol follows a circadian rhythm, usually rising at the end of sleep and peaking around waking. This results in the well-known “dawn phenomenon” that glucose will spike around dawn in response to rising cortisol. This can happen before breakfast and is not associated with the meal. Large and frequent glucose spikes upon waking are associated with chronic stress and insulin resistance and are not beneficial to your metabolism. Strategies for preventing overnight glucose spikes include getting sufficient and consistent sleep, avoiding high carbohydrate late night meals, and using stress reduction techniques like meditation, exercise and connecting with family and friends.