Puberty is one of the most dramatic changes in a young person’s life. The physical and emotional changes alone can be overwhelming for girls and boys, as hormones can result in several (often confusing) feelings and bodily changes. Although growth spurts and acne are some of the first things that may come to mind in early puberty, there are other things to consider about your children's health. One often surprising component is the relationship between blood sugar changes of puberty and how they can affect blood sugar and diabetes care. For children and teens with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, puberty can make managing blood glucose more complicated. Even for those without diabetes, the hormonal rollercoaster of adolescence can temporarily affect insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Here, we'll go over more details on how your child's blood sugar is affected by hormonal changes, along with tips for managing puberty and diabetes.
Why Does Puberty Affect Blood Sugar?
During puberty, the body undergoes a surge in hormones like growth hormone, estrogen, cortisol, progesterone, and testosterone. These hormones are essential for sexual development, muscle growth, and bone health, but they also change metabolic processes. This includes how the body responds to insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. Some ways that blood glucose is affected when adolescents are going through puberty include the following:
- Growth hormones make the body less sensitive to insulin.
- Sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone, progesterone) can affect how cells respond to insulin.
- Stress hormones like cortisol rise during adolescence, further impacting glucose levels.
All of these changes can result in blood sugar fluctuations that may be unpredictable, even with careful monitoring. This can make managing diabetes a bit tricky, but it's still entirely possible with the right tools and a bit of planning.
The Role of Insulin Resistance in Puberty
One of the most significant changes during puberty is a natural rise in insulin resistance. This means that the body’s cells don’t respond as well to insulin, forcing the pancreas to produce (or in type 1 diabetes, a person to take) larger amounts of insulin to keep glucose in check.
- Insulin resistance increases by 30% to 50% during puberty.
- This resistance is often most substantial in the early to mid-teen years.
- Once puberty ends, insulin sensitivity usually improves again.
Type 1 Diabetes and Puberty
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To make sure you're managing this complex relationship while still addressing individual needs, here are a few tips:
- Check blood sugar more frequently (including at night).
- Consider continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps for better real-time management.
- Work closely with your healthcare team to make adjustments to insulin pump settings or injections.
- Work with a Certified Diabetes Care & Education Specialist to educate teens about the importance of self-monitoring, lifestyle choices, and problem-solving.
ith type 1 diabetes, puberty can be especially challenging. Blood sugar levels may suddenly fluctuate for no apparent reason, which can be confusing for kids as well as their caregivers. Some of the most notable challenges include:
- Increased insulin needs (sometimes up to 1.5–2x more than before puberty).
- More frequent blood sugar spikes.
- Growth spurts that demand extra energy, leading to hunger and variable blood sugar.
- Menstrual cycle hormones may cause high glucose before menstruation and lows afterward.
- Emotional swings that cause the production of blood-sugar-raising stress hormones
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Experimenting with drugs and alcohol
- A tendency towards unhealthy food choices and reduced physical activity
Type 2 Diabetes and Puberty
For teens with type 2 diabetes, puberty can make blood sugar management even more challenging, since insulin resistance is already a defining feature of the condition. Not to mention, since insulin resistance naturally increases during adolescence, teens at risk for type 2 may see their blood sugar rise significantly. Some factors that could worsen type 2 diabetes or lead to prediabetes in pubertal individuals include:
- Increased body fat
- Sedentary lifestyle habits.
- Poor dietary choices.
- Inadequate or poor quality sleep
- High stress levels
To help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes or manage prediabetes during puberty, there are a few lifestyle changes to consider. Try doing these as a family so your child doesn't feel alienated, and always see your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
- Encourage daily physical activity (even 30 minutes can improve insulin sensitivity).
- Focus on balanced nutrition: whole grains, lean protein, fiber-rich foods.
- Track blood sugar regularly, especially during growth spurts. If you don't have something to measure this with already, ask your doctor for recommendations. There are CGMs now approved for over-the-counter purchase without a diabetes diagnosis.
- Support their mental health. Adolescents with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes may feel stigma or frustration, which can lead to psychological challenges during puberty.
Signs of Blood Glucose Changes During Puberty
It’s also recommended to learn some signs of blood sugar fluctuations so you can assess what's going on with your teen. This allows you to help with diabetes management or see a doctor when things seem unusual. Some common signs of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include the following:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Weight loss
- Recurrent infections
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
If these symptoms occur regularly, it’s worth discussing with a healthcare provider. If your child has already been diagnosed with diabetes, it's essential to have an action plan for if these symptoms occur. For example, when blood sugar is elevated (above 125 mg/dL while fasting or above 180 mg/dL, one to two hours after eating), administer more insulin or diabetes medications. When blood sugar is low (below 70 mg/dL), follow the 15-15 rule (consuming 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates, waiting 15 minutes, re-checking blood glucose levels, and repeating until blood sugar is in the target range) for mild/moderate cases or taking glucagon in severe cases.
Lifestyle Changes That Help Balance Blood Sugar Increases During Puberty
While estrogen in girls and testosterone in boys cannot be controlled, especially during puberty, lifestyle can also play a significant role in blood sugar management. To help create long-lasting, healthy habits, consider the following strategies.
- Choose complex carbs like whole grains instead of refined sugars.
- Pair carbs with protein and healthy fats to stabilize blood sugar.
- Limit sugary drinks and processed snacks.
- Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily (walking, biking, sports).
- Incorporate strength training (bodyweight or light weights) to improve insulin sensitivity.
- Make exercise fun; encourage activities that feel enjoyable, not like punishment.
- Get 8–10 hours of sleep each night to support healthy hormone balance.
- Avoid late-night snacking, which can disrupt both sleep and blood sugar
- Practice stress management techniques such as journaling, deep breathing, or yoga.
- Stay hydrated with water throughout the day to support metabolism and blood sugar control.
- Limit screen time before bed to improve sleep quality.
- Encourage regular meal times to reduce blood sugar spikes and crashes.
How Parents Can Support Teens With Blood Sugar Changes
Managing blood sugar during puberty isn’t just the teen’s responsibility; parents play a significant role. However, it can be challenging, so strive for progress, not perfection. Pediatric diabetes care is much different than diabetes care during puberty, so if you need help or have any questions, don't hesitate to contact your doctor. Or call Byram’s Diabetes Helpline: 1-877-902-9726, ext. 43397.
Additional ways you can support your teen during this time include the following:
- Keep open communication: let your teen express frustrations.
- Involve them in meal planning and grocery shopping.
- Encourage independence in checking blood sugar and giving insulin.
- Normalize mistakes; puberty makes perfect management impossible.
- Help your teen establish a consistent routine.
- Use diabetes technology to your advantage.
- Encourage physical activity together to maximize motivation and consistency.
- Support your teen's mental health and try not to get irritated with their mood swings.
- Celebrate successes to help boost confidence levels and encourage ongoing management.
Balancing blood glucose levels during puberty can feel challenging, but small, consistent lifestyle habits can make a big difference. Supporting these healthy habits with the right supplies can help teens and their families stay on track with diabetes management. Visit Byram Healthcare today to explore and order online diabetes products for effective, everyday care.
