Dawn phenomenon is when blood sugar rises in the early morning hours—often before you even get out of bed.
Why?
As you wake up, your body releases hormones like cortisol and growth hormone to help you start the day. These hormones tell your liver to release glucose—and in people with diabetes, insulin can’t always keep up.
The Catch?
It can happen even if you ate well the night before. Skipping dinner, eating “perfectly,” or waking up earlier won’t necessarily stop it.
The Takeaway
Morning highs aren’t a personal failure—they’re a hormonal response. The key is noticing the pattern and adjusting with your care team if needed.
Early rises aren’t personal.
→ They’re hormonal.