Can sugar levels rise before and after periods?

Q: I am a 30 years old female. Much to my shock, my fasting blood sugar levels have come out to be 185 mg/dL. I took blood sugar test before my montly periods. Can sugar levels rise before and after periods? Am I a diabetic? To add, my mother is a diabetic.

A:Yes, around periods there may be increase in glucose levels due to stress. Please note that with a single reading we do not make a diagnosis of diabetes. To confirm the diagnosis, get a fasting blood glucose level from a lab (not glucometer reading) and get back to us. You are definitely at higher risk for developing diabetes.