Long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause hyperglycemia; which monitoring is most appropriate?

Long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause hyperglycemia; which monitoring is most appropriate?

• A. CBC
• B. Lipid panel
• C. Blood glucose
• D. TSH

Answer: (C)

Long-term corticosteroid therapy raises blood glucose by increasing liver glucose production and reducing insulin sensitivity, which leads to hyperglycemia. Because the key issue is detecting elevated glucose levels, monitoring blood glucose is the most appropriate choice. Regular glucose checks (fasting or postprandial) allow early identification of hyperglycemia and guide management, such as adjusting the steroid dose, implementing dietary changes, or initiating diabetes treatment if needed. CBC, lipid panel, and TSH assess other aspects of health or different systems and don’t directly track the hyperglycemic effect of steroids.

Long-term corticosteroid therapy raises blood glucose by increasing liver glucose production and reducing insulin sensitivity, which leads to hyperglycemia. Because the key issue is detecting elevated glucose levels, monitoring blood glucose is the most appropriate choice. Regular glucose checks (fasting or postprandial) allow early identification of hyperglycemia and guide management, such as adjusting the steroid dose, implementing dietary changes, or initiating diabetes treatment if needed.

CBC, lipid panel, and TSH assess other aspects of health or different systems and don’t directly track the hyperglycemic effect of steroids.