Basal Adjustments

[Eglinton71]

Hi, I'm testing my pumps basal rates and need to make some changes. The question is how long before the rise / fall in BG do I apply the change. The advice I've seen varies between 1 hour to 4 hours or longer. What lead time do you use?

THANKS

 

[Juicyj]

Hi - personally I would be targeting the change within the hour around the rise/fall, it may require you to add an additional time frame range to cover this change though which is pretty easy to do.

Before you do any changes add a duplicate basal pattern into your pump so you can revert to this if need be.

 

[In Response]

I too would target an hour beforehand but it depends on the insulin you are using and your body.
So, like everything else diabetes, it may require some trial and error,

Remember, it is the same insulin you are using for boluses - how long before eating do you bolus? I hope it is not 4 hours before eating - that would make for a late breakfast

 

[Eglinton71]

Thanks juicy, an hour is what I've always used but I read Pumping Insulin which admittedly was published in 2006 and that said at least 4 hours.
Creating a back up basal profile is a great idea.

 

[Eglinton71]

Thanks In Response,

I normally bolus 10 to 15 minutes before eating but will vary it depending on my current BG result and Libre trend.

 

[Chas C]

At least an hour for me for basal adjustments. I bolus 0 - 30 mins before food, vary initial dose from 0 - 50% and time for remaining depending upon current BG plus trend and food type together with carbs. On average I'm 20 mins pre-meal, 30% pre-meal dose and 75 mins overall for rest of insulin.

 

[In Response]

I just want to emphasise my point about it depending on the type of insulin you are using.
A change to a basal level with NovoRapid will take longer to have an affect than a change with Fiasp.
When I switch, I need to adjust my basal patterns, especially the suspension when exercising.

 

[Soplewis12]

I am using omnipod dash, granted only for 4 weeks now. Specialist pump nurse advised 2 hours before.

 

[searley]

Novorapid and humalog peak at about 70 minutes and fiasp about 50 minutes

So with humalog I’d go for about an hour fiasp about 45 minutes

Don’t forget you can still adjust again

In fact get used to it.. you’ll end up doing it a fair bit as requirements chane