Activity and background insulin

[Bluemarine Josephine]

Good day my beautiful friends!
I hope that you are all very well today!
I need your guidance with the following please:

The theory:
Basal insulin’s primary job is to keep blood glucose levels in check during periods of fasting, including sleeping. While fasting, the liver continuously secretes glucose into the bloodstream, and basal insulin is needed to keep these glucose levels under control. Without this insulin, our glucose levels would rise at an alarming rate. Basal insulin is responsible for making sure our cells are fed with a constant stream of glucose to burn for energy so they don’t resort to metabolizing fat.

I was discussing with a friend regarding exercise and how it affects blood glucose.
I was wondering on the following: If exercise takes place during a period where only basal insulin is present does this exercise affect the basal insulin hence bringing the blood glucose levels lower?

I understand that if Novorapid is present (and depending on its phase, for example if it is peaking or not, and its dosage, if there is a correction bolus or not) then, exercise affects Novorapid’s absorption.

But, what happens when only basal is present?

My friend suggested that since basal insulin is formulated to keep the blood glucose leveled by matching the liver’s glucose secretion then, it shouldn’t be affected by exercise and, instead, should continue to keep blood glucose leveled despite the activity.

However, I recall from DAFNE that in case of strenuous exercise, we have to reduce both our insulins (basal and bolus) before as well as after the activity. Hence, in my mind, basal insulin should be affected as well.

Could you please guide me what is the correct approach?

Thank you.
I wish you a lovely day!
Regards
Josephine

 

[tim2000s]

Basal insulin is affected by exercise. Simply, what happens in exercise is that your Glut-4 receptors become more active in regard to removing glucose from the blood to feed your muscles.

Insulin also activates these transporters so the outcome is that together exercise and insulin together cause your body to remove more glucose from your blood.

It isn't that insulin becomes more active, it's that exercise naturally makes your body absorb more glucose and normally your pancreas would produce less insulin. As that can't happen in a T1, the effect you see is that onboard insulin appears to have more of an effect.


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[B583]

In my understanding of exercise & insulin use: if the exercise is mild you can just reduce bolus insulin before & after the exercise as exercise can effect blood levels 24hrs afterwards, hence having hypo's the next day if you're not careful. Though with strenuous/regular exercise it is best to reduce basal insulin too, for the duration of the exercise or amount of time (days/months/years) that you're doing the exercise regime for. I've done temporary workouts before & reduced my basal for the duration & also was careful with how much bolus I gave before & after, exercising twice a week.
hope this helps some what!!

 

[Bluemarine Josephine]

Basal insulin is affected by exercise. Simply, what happens in exercise is that your Glut-4 receptors become more active in regard to removing glucose from the blood to feed your muscles.

Insulin also activates these transporters so the outcome is that together exercise and insulin together cause your body to remove more glucose from your blood.

It isn't that insulin becomes more active, it's that exercise naturally makes your body absorb more glucose and normally your pancreas would produce less insulin. As that can't happen in a T1, the effect you see is that onboard insulin appears to have more of an effect.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello Tim!
Thank you.

 

[Bluemarine Josephine]

In my understanding of exercise & insulin use: if the exercise is mild you can just reduce bolus insulin before & after the exercise as exercise can effect blood levels 24hrs afterwards, hence having hypo's the next day if you're not careful. Though with strenuous/regular exercise it is best to reduce basal insulin too, for the duration of the exercise or amount of time (days/months/years) that you're doing the exercise regime for. I've done temporary workouts before & reduced my basal for the duration & also was careful with how much bolus I gave before & after, exercising twice a week.
hope this helps some what!!

Hello and a very good day!
Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[B583]

Hope the information helps you & for you to control your BGs well enough while exercising. What type of exercise are you doing?