The “dawn phenomenon” refers to the early-morning rise in blood sugar that many people with Type 1 diabetes experience. 🌅 This is usually caused by a natural hormone surge while you’re still sleeping, and it can make blood sugar management tricky. Some people find their blood sugar levels spike even if they haven't eaten anything, which can be frustrating to handle.
There are a few strategies that people try to manage the dawn phenomenon, such as adjusting insulin dosages, changing the timing of long-acting insulin, or using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to better track those early morning changes. Some people find that eating a small protein-rich snack before bed can help as well. 🍽️
How do you manage the dawn phenomenon? Do you notice a big difference in your morning blood sugar levels, and what works best for you to keep it in check? Have you made any changes to your insulin routine or diet to tackle this issue?
Somya.P
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Somya.P
Community manager
Last activity on 13/11/2025 at 18:28
Joined in 2023
800 comments posted | 9 in the Living with type 1 diabetes group
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Hello everyone,
How are you doing? 😊
The “dawn phenomenon” refers to the early-morning rise in blood sugar that many people with Type 1 diabetes experience. 🌅 This is usually caused by a natural hormone surge while you’re still sleeping, and it can make blood sugar management tricky. Some people find their blood sugar levels spike even if they haven't eaten anything, which can be frustrating to handle.
There are a few strategies that people try to manage the dawn phenomenon, such as adjusting insulin dosages, changing the timing of long-acting insulin, or using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to better track those early morning changes. Some people find that eating a small protein-rich snack before bed can help as well. 🍽️
How do you manage the dawn phenomenon? Do you notice a big difference in your morning blood sugar levels, and what works best for you to keep it in check? Have you made any changes to your insulin routine or diet to tackle this issue?
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We’d love to hear your experiences and tips!
Take care,
Somya from the Carenity Team 🌼