Can bacteria cause low blood sugar levels?

Yes, bacterial infections can cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), most notably in the context of serious infections such as sepsis. During sepsis—a life-threatening reaction to severe infection often caused by bacteria—the body’s immune and metabolic systems are severely disrupted, which can result in both high and low blood sugar levels. healthline.com+1

Key mechanisms by which bacteria cause hypoglycemia include:

• Increased glucose consumption by immune cells and vital tissues as they respond to infection.

• Disrupted hormone regulation, leading to reduced cortisol and adrenaline, both of which help maintain normal blood glucose.

• Impaired glucose production due to organ dysfunction (especially liver failure) often accompanying severe bacterial infections like sepsis.healthline.com+2

• In rare cases, certain severe bacteremic infections (e.g., bacteremic pneumococcal infections) have been directly associated with episodes of hypoglycemia, especially in critically ill patients.sciencedirect.com

While mild bacterial infections rarely cause clinically significant low blood sugar, severe systemic infections can precipitate or worsen hypoglycemia, especially in already vulnerable populations (such as those with diabetes, organ failure, or malnutrition). healthline.com+2

It’s important to note that in people managing diabetes, additional factors like missed meals during illness and changes in medication can further contribute to low blood sugar during infections.healthline.com+1

In summary, while typical bacterial infections in otherwise healthy individuals do not usually cause hypoglycemia, severe bacterial infections—especially those progressing to sepsis—are recognized causes of dangerously low blood sugar levels due to multiple metabolic and hormonal disturbances.healthline.com+3

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/hypoglycemia-in-sepsis
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6990758/
3. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/gut-bacteria-may-play-a-role-in-diabetes/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4000497/
5. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-reinforces-safety-information-about-serious-low-blood-sugar-levels-and-mental-health-side
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypoglycemia
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971208015518
8. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-immune-system.html
9. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/hypoglycemia-in-sepsis