help needed ! insulin needed now low -WHY

JohnTL

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I have been a type 1 diabetic for 45 yrs and I take lantus long term insulin, and humalog
I have never come across this before, where the best way to explain it is its seems as though my insulin (both) are acting as though they are 2 to 3 times stronger than they have been previously !!!!
Example : when working my lantus was 16 units , it now 2 !!!
humalog was blood sugar level + 10units at 10am, +8 units at 1.15pm, +35 units 7.30pm
now its -6 +4 +30
Any ideas I'am baffled ,
when I talked to the hospital diabetic contact , she seemed baffled as me !!
 

NicoleC1971

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Anything else changed?
e.g. weight loss, stopped taking steroids? i.e. have previously had insulin resistance which has resolved.
Or have you changed jab sites where previously you have been injecting into a fatty lump? If your sites are lumpy then you will get weird variations in blood sugars.
If you have any gastic empptying (nerve damage causing digestivee problems) this would also make you absorb your carbs at a different rate and cause problems.
You were previously on fairly high levels of insulin and needing less isn't a bad thing if you can get a consistent basal level right and then adjust the bolus rates.
Sorry those are my best guesses and that is what they are so I think you probably need to see a consultant.
 
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Hopeful34

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You could have been stressed at work, which would have raised your Humalog insulin requirements, but 2 units of lantus is extremely low. Sorry I can't think of anything else, but as NicoleC1971 said, less insulin isn't a bad thing.
 

EllieM

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humalog was blood sugar level + 10units at 10am, +8 units at 1.15pm, +35 units 7.30pm
now its -6 +4 +30

That's an unusual (to me anyway) method to calculate bolus doses.

Normally I'd have a correction ratio (insulin per mmol/L) and a carb ratio (insulin per g of carb) and when I calculate doses for a meal of eg 50g I'd go

correction dose + carb ratio * 50g

where the correction dose is (difference between actual reading and desired before meal reading) * correction ratio.

Your method can work the same, but would depend on all your meals having a fixed carb content... and on your correction ratio being 1 to 1 (and I bet that ratio has changed too).

I suppose there's no chance you were misdiagnosed as T1 45 years ago and are in fact MODY or (even more of a stretch) T2? I don't now much about MODY except they often get misdiagnosed as T1 or T2 and don't always need insulin...

Have you spoken to a consultant about your readings yet, or just a nurse? I think you need a specialist.
 

Bash_

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I have been a type 1 diabetic for 45 yrs and I take lantus long term insulin, and humalog
I have never come across this before, where the best way to explain it is its seems as though my insulin (both) are acting as though they are 2 to 3 times stronger than they have been previously !!!!
Example : when working my lantus was 16 units , it now 2 !!!
humalog was blood sugar level + 10units at 10am, +8 units at 1.15pm, +35 units 7.30pm
now its -6 +4 +30
Any ideas I'am baffled ,
when I talked to the hospital diabetic contact , she seemed baffled as me !!
Hi John
Might be an idea to get back to basics, I did a DAFNE course best thing I did for many years like you 47 yrs diabetic.

Your body changes as with hormones and as such you may need to change your ratio's from time to time. More than usual exercise will also give you the same effect as if your insulin becomes stronger.
 

JohnTL

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4
Thanks for your replies
At work my carb intake is always the same , unless low blood sugar
I have always judged my insulin needs this way
My work/energy output does vary as I 'm an industrial electrician
My weight is steady, cannot take steroids because of insulin, Stress is not more than normal.
I have changed my injection sites recently, which I do from time to time. this would not cause this much change.(from centre of stomach to the sides)
Just trying to make some sense out of the situation, getting my diabetic bloods done tomorrow, will see diabetic nurse soon after!
Watch this space ??????
Regards
John
 

JohnTL

Newbie
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4
the only change over the last 3 month is I'm taking 250mg azithromycin 3 times a week to reduce phlem from a head cold which I had.
Also I have been asked to get my Cortisol level checked