Type 1 Glucose level dropping, but didn't take insulin

[John Downie]

I have adjusted my diet, using myfitnesspal, to try and take in no more than 1500 calories per day. This has brought my weight down and my sugar levels under control.

Started my diet in January and you can see the effect on my average glucose level: http://scorpuk.net/php-project/generated/john/January.png. Got a 6.3% in March for my Hba1c, previously 7.1%+.

Also fyi: http://scorpuk.net/php-project/generated/john/Year.png (Not updated the database fully for this month, been on holiday. )


My question is, though, at lunch time my pre meal glucose level can be around 8.0 and by 5pm my glucose level can be anything from 4.5 to 5.9, but I have not taken any insulin. I probably just need to take a biscuit or something a couple of hours before leaving work, but just think it strange.


Any advice?


I still do take insulin if I have a very high reading and always take my Lantus at night before bed.

 

[Deleted member 83869]

I have adjusted my diet, using myfitnesspal, to try and take in no more than 1500 calories per day. This has brought my weight down and my sugar levels under control.

Started my diet in January and you can see the effect on my average glucose level: http://scorpuk.net/php-project/generated/john/January.png. Got a 6.3% in March for my Hba1c, previously 7.1%+.

Also fyi: http://scorpuk.net/php-project/generated/john/Year.png (Not updated the database fully for this month, been on holiday. )


My question is, though, at lunch time my pre meal glucose level can be around 8.0 and by 5pm my glucose level can be anything from 4.5 to 5.9, but I have not taken any insulin. I probably just need to take a biscuit or something a couple of hours before leaving work, but just think it strange.


Any advice?


I still do take insulin if I have a very high reading and always take my Lantus at night before bed.

Could it be your background insulin then?? Or are you more active during them times?

 

[Hollister]

It could be your long-lasting insulin as it releases. Though also, because you're moving about & working it could just be that you're active.
Do you ever feel low 4.5 - 5.9?

 

[John Downie]

Could it be your background insulin then?? Or are you more active during them times?

This is while I am work. Sitting at a desk working on a computer.

I wouldn't have thought my Lantus would drop my glucose level that much. I take it around 10pm, so it should have finished working by late morning. Also if my Lantus was still working then my lunch time reading shouldn't be higher than my morning one. I usually take around 10 units of Lantus at night, depending on reading

Example readings: (breakfast, lunch, dinner, bed)
6.60 ->7.60-> 4.80-> 7.50
5.00-> 7.20-> 4.90-> 6.30

Sometimes the readings do look right:

7.00-> 6.50-> 6.00-> 5.20

 

[John Downie]

It could be your long-lasting insulin as it releases. Though also, because you're moving about & working it could just be that you're active.
Do you ever feel low 4.5 - 5.9?

Thankfully I do feel it when its low and have some biscuits in me desk drawer in case I need. I also have some chocolates too, but only when I feel bad.

 

[Deleted member 83869]

This is while I am work. Sitting at a desk working on a computer.

I wouldn't have thought my Lantus would drop my glucose level that much. I take it around 10pm, so it should have finished working by late morning. Also if my Lantus was still working then my lunch time reading shouldn't be higher than my morning one. I usually take around 10 units of Lantus at night, depending on reading

Example readings: (breakfast, lunch, dinner, bed)
6.60 ->7.60-> 4.80-> 7.50
5.00-> 7.20-> 4.90-> 6.30

Sometimes the readings do look right:

7.00-> 6.50-> 6.00-> 5.20

What do you have for lunch? And when do you take rapid etc?

 

[Hollister]

You might need more carbs in your food. Do you take fast acting insulin with your food? You could maybe dorp it a unit or two if you feel comfortable with it ?

It doesn't seem too low at the moment. However, in my experience, if i'm sat down at the computer all day my blood glucose rises!

 

[John Downie]

What do you have for lunch? And when do you take rapid etc?

Lunch is usually 2 sandwiches. 4 small slices wholemeal bread, small amount of pro-activ, roast chicken and small amount of light mayonnaise. Approx. 500 cals. (yesterdays lunch: 554 cal, 40.5g carbs)

Novo Rapid:

Breakfast: 0
Lunch: 0
Dinner: 0​

Lantus:

Before bed: 10 (around 10pm)​

(So long as glucose is around 6 pre meal/bed.)

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Lunch is usually 2 sandwiches. 4 small slices wholemeal bread, small amount of pro-activ, roast chicken and small amount of light mayonnaise. Approx. 500 cals. (yesterdays lunch: 554 cal, 40.5g carbs)

Novo Rapid:

Breakfast: 0
Lunch: 0
Dinner: 0​

Lantus:

Before bed: 10 (around 10pm)​

(So long as glucose is around 6 pre meal/bed.)

I am confused....why aren't you taking any rapid????

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Hang on, how long have you been diagnosed!?

 

[John Downie]

I am confused....why aren't you taking any rapid????

Being on my diet I have noticed a more controlled glucose level. Only times it goes high is when I over indulge.

So dropped my insulin intake to 0 when my levels were good and didn't want to chance a hypo if I took insulin.

e.g.. at lunch levels been 6.2. If I took insulin then my level could go hypo because naturally my levels drop during the afternoon. So if I did take rapid then my level could be even lower by dinner time.


7/10 my glucose level will drop from lunch to dinner without taking insulin.

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Being on my diet I have noticed a more controlled glucose level. Only times it goes high is when I over indulge.

So dropped my insulin intake to 0 when my levels were good and didn't want to chance a hypo if I took insulin.

e.g.. at lunch levels been 6.2. If I took insulin then my level could go hypo because naturally my levels drop during the afternoon. So if I did take rapid then my level could be even lower by dinner time.


7/10 my glucose level will drop from lunch to dinner without taking insulin.

Are you a type 1 or type 1.5......

 

[John Downie]

Hang on, how long have you been diagnosed!?

Since August 2004. Had a glucose level of around 33.

This is the first year my Hba1c has been good. last couple of times its been around 7.3 - 8.8.

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Since August 2004. Had a glucose level of around 33.

This is the first year my Hba1c has been good. last couple of times its been around 7.3 - 8.8.

Right well not honeymoon period then! I don't see how you are doing so well without having to inject when you eat! Especially at lunch as usually you would need atleast 4U of rapid for what you eat! Hmmm....It does sound like your background now though! when do you take lantus again? x

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Sorry just seen before bed...

 

[John Downie]

Are you a type 1 or type 1.5......

Type 1. (Never been re-diagnosed as anything else)

Been on Insulin since day 1

Sorry just seen before bed...

FYI:
I also have Addison's disease, this brought on my diabetes. Under-active Thyroid and high cholesterol.

well might as well list my medications.

20mg AM / 10mg PM Hydrocortisone
0.2mg AM Florinef (fludrocortisone)
225mcg AM Levothyroxine
2mg AM Perindropil
20mg AM Atoravastatin

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Type 1. (Never been re-diagnosed as anything else)

Been on Insulin since day 1





FYI:
I also have Addison's disease, this brought on my diabetes. Under-active Thyroid and high cholesterol.

well might as well list my medications.

20mg AM / 10mg PM Hydrocortisone
0.2mg AM Florinef (fludrocortisone)
225mcg AM Levothyroxine
2mg AM Perindropil
20mg AM Atoravastatin

Any of them got side effects of dropping sugar levels? Have you spoken to your DSN about this? As she would be your best bet to find out the most accurate answer!

 

[John Downie]

Any of them got side effects of dropping sugar levels? Have you spoken to your DSN about this? As she would be your best bet to find out the most accurate answer!

I'll check the leaflets, but don't think so. Perindropil is the most recent addition.



Hehe yeah. Only recently been dropping insulin to 0, past 4 months, and last visit, March, they gave me a 1 year repeat date. Thought about seeing doctor on my next time back home.

Would it be better to speak with my DSN than my doctor?


I am not worried as I can control it, just a pain to have to increase my calorie intake for the day if the need arises. The diet has been going well, when I've stuck to it.

 

[Deleted member 83869]

Hehe yeah. Only recently been dropping insulin to 0, past 4 months, and last visit, March, they gave me a 1 year repeat date. Thought about seeing doctor on my next time back home.

Would it be better to speak with my DSN than my doctor?


I am not worried as I can control it, just a pain to have to increase my calorie intake for the day if the need arises. The diet has been going well, when I've stuck to it.

DSN would probably be better as she has more knowledge....as she is a Diabetic Specialist Nurse hehe Unless your Doctor has knowledge on it too! If it isn't causing you a great deal of a problem then go seek advice if not then do not worry!

 

[John Downie]

I'll check the leaflets, but don't think so. Perindropil is the most recent addition.



Hehe yeah. Only recently been dropping insulin to 0, past 4 months, and last visit, March, they gave me a 1 year repeat date. Thought about seeing doctor on my next time back home.

Would it be better to speak with my DSN than my doctor?


I am not worried as I can control it, just a pain to have to increase my calorie intake for the day if the need arises. The diet has been going well, when I've stuck to it.

OH.

http://www.patient.co.uk/medicine/Perindopril.htm

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as these tablets may lower the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

Never got this pointed out to me when I got prescribed them.


Guess this is the reason.