Causes of High Blood Sugar Across Organ Systems

1. Pancreatic Causes

• Type 1 diabetes: Autoimmune destruction of beta cells.
• Type 2 diabetes: Insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction.
• Pancreatic diseases: Chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis.

2. Endocrine Causes

• Cushing’s syndrome: Excess cortisol.
• Acromegaly: Excess growth hormone.
• Hyperthyroidism: Increased metabolic demand and glucose intolerance.
• Glucagonoma: Excess glucagon production.

3. Genetic Causes

• Monogenic diabetes: MODY (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young).
• Genetic syndromes: Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome.

4. Medication-Induced

• Corticosteroids, thiazides, beta-blockers, atypical antipsychotics.

5. Infections

• Viral triggers in Type 1 diabetes: Coxsackievirus, mumps, rubella.
• Post-infectious insulin resistance.

6. Pregnancy-Related

• Gestational diabetes: Insulin resistance during pregnancy.
• History of gestational diabetes increases risk of Type 2 diabetes.

7. Miscellaneous/Systemic

• Obesity: Major risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Associated with insulin resistance.
• Hemochromatosis: Iron overload causing pancreatic damage.