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Advice needed. type1 and high levels

ewelina

ewelina

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,354
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hello :)
I thought I would post here as I received lots of help and advice here in the past. Much more than from my gp or nurses! Last Monday I went to A&E with high sugar levels and ketones. I wasn't well in the week before that but it wasn't anything major (just feeling under the weather, a bit tired with some temperature). I spent few hours in A&E, was given some fluids and ketones disappeared. Blood tests didn't show anything to worry about and they said it could be some viral infection. The problem is that since then my sugar levels are still high (no ketones though) and to bring them down I take massive amounts of insulin. I try to apply sick days rules but I don't have ketones and generally I feel alright (apart from being a bit tired but it might be result of elevated sugar levels). I went to see my gp on Friday but again nothing really advised apart from resting.
I used to be really unwell in the past but my sugar levels has never been so bad. I could understand if I was really poorly that my body fights something but Im feeling ok.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you :)
 
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Try changing your insulin, throw away both your current insulin cartridges and use new ones, if that doesn't work change your pens as one could be faulty and not delivering the correct dose.
 
Keep following the Sick Day Rules and get in touch with your diabetes clinic in the morning, are you sure your insulin is stored at the right temperature, might be worth checking your fridge Ewelina.
 
ewelina said:
I have done it already. Im on my 3rd pen now :(
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That's what I was going to suggest. Not sure really but mine were all over the place 3weeks ago & I never knew why. They finally settled after a weird week! Hope they soon come down.
 
Thank you. I hope it will settle soon but will go to diabetic walk in clinic tomorrow just in case.
Its all frustrating and a bit scary as well. I had a breakfast 2 hours ago (bread worth 25g and 2 sausages) took 8 units and Im 15.2 at the moment!
 
Have you thought about checking your basal? Mine has suddenly shot up by 3 units over the last week
 
If your ill your insulin requirements may go up considerably (basal can go up to 200%+).

Follow sick day rules, failing that contact your diabetes clinic directly and soon.
 
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I increased basal a bit ( I normally take humulin I, two doses, 19u in total) to 23 u. I keep correcting with novorapid as a bit too scared of taking too much basal.
My worry is that I cant see the reason for a such high levels. Im feeling ok so what is my body fighting ?:(
 
Applenerd81 said:
If your ill your insulin requirements may go up considerably (basal can go up to 200%+).

Follow sick day rules, failing that contact your diabetes clinic directly and soon.
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I'm not ill, my levels do have a habit of changing as they please and I don't have a clinic but am quite able to look after self anyway. I've had plenty of experience :)
 
ewelina said:
I increased basal a bit ( I normally take humulin I, two doses, 19u in total) to 23 u. I keep correcting with novorapid as a bit too scared of taking too much basal.
My worry is that I cant see the reason for a such high levels. Im feeling ok so what is my body fighting ?:(
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It could perhaps be that spring is coming, many find their needs change spring and autumn. My basal is a complete and utter pain in the b.u.m. It just decides it want's more for a few weeks then it will just drop down again.
 
I do hope its just weather change but Ive been diabetic for 4 years and never experienced anything like this. I guess diabetes has many more surprises prepared for me :)
 
ewelina said:
I increased basal a bit ( I normally take humulin I, two doses, 19u in total) to 23 u. I keep correcting with novorapid as a bit too scared of taking too much basal.
My worry is that I cant see the reason for a such high levels. Im feeling ok so what is my body fighting ?:(
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Perhaps you need to try another insulin?
 
CarbsRok said:
I'm not ill, my levels do have a habit of changing as they please and I don't have a clinic but am quite able to look after self anyway. I've had plenty of experience :)
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Ah ok, well the basics have already been pointed out above - dodgy insulin, site fatigue/poor absorption, change in diet, stress, basals (although they shouldn't be so far out to cause hospitalisation).

Any further than that then it's probably wise to seek experienced qualified professional advise...(not a gp) just to make sure it's not something else obvious which we can all miss from time to time...
 
Applenerd81 said:
Ah ok, well the basics have already been pointed out above - dodgy insulin, site fatigue/poor absorption, change in diet, stress, basals (although they shouldn't be so far out to cause hospitalisation).

Any further than that then it's probably wise to seek experienced qualified professional advise...(not a gp) just to make sure it's not something else obvious which we can all miss from time to time...
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I think you have posters muddled up, I didn't post about my levels it was just a passing comment to help out OP :)
 
ewelina said:
I do hope its just weather change but Ive been diabetic for 4 years and never experienced anything like this. I guess diabetes has many more surprises prepared for me :)
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It's worrying when your quick acting seems to stop working. Mine did 3 months ago and I changed to Apidra. I ended using 1 unit novo for 1.5 grams carbs. with the Apidra I'm using 1 unit for 4-4.5 grams carbs. I also use Humulin I split...I take 34 units at breakfast and 32 units around 8.15 pm. You might need to change your quick acting insulin..Do you carb count and what about the DAFNE course???
 
Yes Ive done dafne and I carb count. How come your current insulin can suddenly stop working and the other one will work ?! Im definitely going to walk in clinic tomorrow. Hopefully will stay off ketones till then!
 
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