What is the DAWN EFFECT? High Morning Blood Sugars (2024)

---Sorry about the Audio/VIdeo Mismatch. Just listen to this one, don't watch...

High morning blood sugars? It's the dawn effect. As more and more of us take charge of our health and start doing things like checking our blood sugar, a curious phenomenon emerges. Even though you haven't eaten all night long while sleeping, your morning blood sugar is elevated a bit. How can that be?

The human body is an elegant and amazing organism, capable of doing things that confound the average doctor. As simple a thing as waking up in the morning is controlled by intricate hormonal changes and fluctuations.

What is the Dawn Effect? This simple explanation will ease your mind concerning mild morning blood sugar elevations.

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Ken D Berry, MD, is a Family Physician and has been practicing Family Medicine in rural Tennessee for 20 years, having seen over 25,000 patients in his career so far.
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[pilgrim]

I test and I sure wondered about that, and sometimes I fast 24hrs and not even hungry... diabetic, no drugs, just diet and bs not over 100 since mid-January... lost over 40lbs of fat.... feel great age 73.... thank you....

[KenDBerryMD]

Sorry about the audio/video mismatch. Just listen to this one, don't watch and listen too or you might get dyslexia!!!

[AE-wlrx]

My husband ( does cancer research and specializes in toxicology) who works for Cleveland Clinic main campus. Agrees with everything you are saying! I found you TODAY and once he was home showed him your videos and he likes what he hears! You are amazing thank you ❤️👍

[hula]

After fasting all night my glucose reading was 112, but at noon, after eat Keto my blood sugar was 85.

[الوردالجوري-غو]

It's God's mercy for humen to get going in the morning after being not eating for hours sleeping, and having long day next day! سبحان الله

[kimberlygarrison]

So that is why my morning blood sugars are the highest. Thanks

[KatharineLikesCake]

Hi Dr. Berry. I'm an Osteopathic practitioner and student of functional neurology and functional medicine. I found your channel recently and I've been using your videos to educate myself and my clients. I've referred many clients/friends/people to your channel as your videos are so educational and understandable. I wanted to say thank you! Keep up the good work, and I'll keep spreading the word!

[JackClayton]

I remember when I first reversed my diabetes the FBS was the last to change, even when my A1C had dropped into the mid 5 range. I used my 2hr post prandial changes in the early stage to gauge how well my changes were progressing. It was more encouraging during the first steps.

[lindasafford]

Dr. Berry, Thanks for explaining this.  Much appreciated.  Keto is bringing my numbers down and I'm rarely seeing anything above 105.  Super motivated about the weight loss but the blood sugar readings being low is the best I've seen EVER.  Can't wait to see my doc in June and knock his socks off with my numbers.  Thanks again.  Love the videos and I tell everyone about them.  ~~ Linda

[espianmashias]

Loved this video! I’ve been on a strict Keto for 6 months now. My glucose reading was 118 at 5:30 am today. I was like no way... how could this be?? Thank you so much Dr. Berry 🥰🥰

[roxannehale]

I've always had stable morning sugers, 110. - 120. After covid I had a serious blood suger issue, over 200 no matter how much Levemere. The diabetic doctor put me on Intermittant Fasting and Humalog, no KETO, but I was already KEToish and meditetaian. My suger a balanced back down. My labs improved leaps and bounds. Then doctor changed and I was assigned a nutritionist. She put me on ADA recommended higher carbs, low fats, eating 3 meals day with evening snack. Needless to say my A1c went up and my AM blood suger bounced mostly up. often to 140, 150 She had all the last 3 labs that showed how well IF had done.
After a month i complained about my AM suger a and she explained the dawn effect and that I must keep the 3 meals + evening snack, and increased low fat milk products. But, as told her, I never had the dawn effect before her diet. She got miffed, and I cancelled her. Now 6 more months KETO/IF and I'm completely off humalog which had been 10 to 20 units 2x, Levemere 56 down from 80, AM bloody 80. - 90 consistantly, no bouncing. Also Dr added thyroid med, that stopped several annoying symptoms.
Now, I'm hopefull. Never listening to a diabetic nutritionist again, EVER.

[DannyB-csvx]

Mine seems to be related to whatever dream I was having. A high tension dream brings high morning sugar. Also if I go to bed with low sugar, It will always be higher in the morning.

[yenrm]

Thank you so much for this post! I freaked out today when I saw my fasting blood sugar in 104!

[neeneemeanie]

I just found your videos today and have been binge watching. I've shared to a bunch of family members. Thank you so much for what you do!

[Cashmere-or-Carhartt]

This is my first morning checking FBG. I am 5'9" and 156#. Glucose this morning was 123 and it scared me! Ketones were 1.3. Thank you for peace of mind.

[joannarippon]

I never heard of this. I just got a glucometer and my morning glucose is 106. I’m non diabetic and have zero symptoms of diabetes. I was VERY concerned that I was pre diabetic. I’m so thankful I viewed this and that you’ve addressed it. I’m now going to do more research. Thank you!!

[MarjorieBurnett]

Dr. Berry, I just love when you say every time I get a bright idea you will be notified! I always smile when you say that, silly I know. I never knew about the dawn effect. Thanks for another video.

[Ericktrivedipa]

Thanks! I’ve been chasing a lower BG level and the Dawn Effect was driving me crazy

[cindyward]

Thanks so much for this video! I just started checking my blood sugar also and was concerned that it was higher right when I woke up, and then lower after a meal...
I am trying to avoid the path of type 2 diabetes that every aunt and uncle had and my grandmother died from...

[kicknadeadcat]

It took almost a year and a half for the dawn effect to go away with me. Now I’m generally under 100. Where before I would be 120 to 130.