COVID-19 booster vaccination linked to temporary rise of blood sugar levels among type 1 diabetes patients
Researchers have found in a new study that Adults with type 1 diabetes may have glycemic elevations after a COVID-19 booster. Although usually mild, a minority of individuals can have profound exacerbations. Therefore, close monitoring of glucose levels after COVID-19 vaccination is recommended in type 1 diabetes patients as they may experience elevated glucose levels a few days after following COVID-19 vaccine booster, according to a study published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice.
In patients with a history of type 1 diabetes (T1D), inflammation triggers hyperglycemia. Vaccines cause an acute immunogenic response, and booster vaccines cause more potent immunologic responses.
There is a need for more data to understand the effects of vaccines on glycemic control and insulin requirements in the days immediately after post-vaccination. In the present study, researchers examined the changes in glycemic control and insulin usage immediately preceding and following a COVID-19 booster vaccine among adults with T1D.
In this study, participants wore blinded Dexcom G6 Pro continuous glucose monitors for ten days. After a baseline period, the COVID-19 booster vaccine was administered to the participants, following which glycemic indices were evaluated.
The key results of the study are:
- Twenty-one participants were enrolled.
- 38% and 62 % received a Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech booster, respectively.
- Compared to baseline, there was an increase in the mean glucose on Day 2 and day 3 (post-vaccination) with a value of 172.8 ± 47.0 mg/dL and 173.1 ± 45.0 mg/dL, respectively.
- On Day 2, there was an increase in Insulin resistance.
- There were no differences in outcome metrics between booster vaccine manufacturers.
They said, “Our study found that those with T1D have transient mild glycemic elevations after receiving a COVID-19 booster vaccination.”
Further reading:
Zilbermint, M., Motevalli, M., Batty, K., Venner-Walcott, J., Edwards, A. C., Burley, T., Jackson, K., Akhtar, M. W., & Demidowich, A. P. (2023). Effects of the COVID-19 Booster Vaccine on Glycemia and Insulin Resistance in People with Type 1 Diabetes: A Prospective Pilot Study. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 204, 110898. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2023.110898.
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