Definitions for "Somogyi effect"
A phenomenon (described by the biochemist Somogyi) in which hypoglycemia causes activation of the internal counterregulatory hormones (for example, glucagon, growth hormone, and epinephrine), causing a rebound in the blood-glucose level to hyperglycemic levels. Also called post-hypoglycemia hyperglycemia.
Also called "rebound effect," it occurs when there is a upward swing in blood sugar from an extremely low level of glucose in the blood to a very high level. It usually happens during the night and early A.M. morning hours. People who experience high levels of blood glucose in the morning may need to test their blood glucose levels in the middle of the night. If blood glucose levels are repeatedly low, addition of an evening snack or a lowering of the insulin doses may be recommended.
It sounds completely illogical, but this is a condition in which the blood glucose level increases if too much insulin is given. It is also called rebounding, rebound hyperglycaemia or insulin-induced hyperglycaemia. If blood glucose levels drop too low or too suddenly, the body panics, thinking it’s being starved. Stored glucose is released to end this “starvation” and the body is flooded with glucose. This causes the blood glucose levels to bounce rapidly from next to zero to really high. This can happen when too much insulin is being injected. Common when first beginning to treat your diabetic cat, the solution is to give less insulin. (Or perhaps try a different sort of insulin)