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Basal rate tests over 1 or 2 days?

Nicola M

Nicola M

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Messages
988
Location
Nottinghamshire
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I've always been taught that when doing Basal rate tests you should ideally do it over 2 days and not just 1. The issue I'm having with that is I don't ever get 2 days off from work in a row so it's extremely impractical. How would I go about doing basal tests, would it be acceptable to do a test over 1 day instead that way I have at least done it? My job is a very physical one so it's not ideal to do basal rate tests at work. Feeling quite frustrated and not sure what to do :(
 
I fully understand where you are coming from, I'am in the same boat so I can't advise you sorry
 
Nicola M said:
Afraid I don't really get holidays. Only get them if I put some in but I can't afford to have time off work
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Then you are likely to struggle. You will need to choose really... Either your health or your income.
 
Nicola M said:
I've always been taught that when doing Basal rate tests you should ideally do it over 2 days and not just 1. The issue I'm having with that is I don't ever get 2 days off from work in a row so it's extremely impractical. How would I go about doing basal tests, would it be acceptable to do a test over 1 day instead that way I have at least done it? My job is a very physical one so it's not ideal to do basal rate tests at work. Feeling quite frustrated and not sure what to do :(
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Hi Nicola, you need to basal test at work as this is what your basal needs are whilst at work. Sort your overnight out first and perhaps do it over a couple of nights, then do a stretch in the morning by skipping breakfast. You only need skip meals for 6 hours so you wont starve to death in that time. When working out on the farm and basal testing due I just had my meter in my pocket and tested on the hour, then recorded the results when I got home.
 
CarbsRok said:
Hi Nicola, you need to basal test at work as this is what your basal needs are whilst at work. Sort your overnight out first and perhaps do it over a couple of nights, then do a stretch in the morning by skipping breakfast. You only need skip meals for 6 hours so you wont starve to death in that time. When working out on the farm and basal testing due I just had my meter in my pocket and tested on the hour, then recorded the results when I got home.
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I wish more Doctors would say you could do basal tests at work. Mine always told me that I was not allowed to do it at work (frustrating!) I think I may just find it easier to do it this way. It's been stressing me out with the worry of when to do it and I fell off the wagon a little. New year New start, right? Thanks for this!
 
Nicola M said:
I wish more Doctors would say you could do basal tests at work. Mine always told me that I was not allowed to do it at work (frustrating!) I think I may just find it easier to do it this way. It's been stressing me out with the worry of when to do it and I fell off the wagon a little. New year New start, right? Thanks for this!
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Hi Nicola, sounds as if your team are not being logical! 99.9% of people have weekend rates, holiday rates and work rates. Same as the children have school days holidays and weekend basals.
 
I feel I'm being stupid here, but don't you need to do basal tests on work AND non work days if you have a very physical job? You could spend tons of time getting your rates right for rest days, and then have hypos all over the place when you work.

Why is the advice to only test on rest days? As I say I'm probably being an idiot, not started on my pump yet so haven't got as far as basal testing - but was hoping I could fit it in apart from on weekends!
 
@ArtemisBow I'd say that basal testing should be done anywhen. You certainly need to know where the differences are...
 
ArtemisBow said:
I feel I'm being stupid here, but don't you need to do basal tests on work AND non work days if you have a very physical job? You could spend tons of time getting your rates right for rest days, and then have hypos all over the place when you work.

Why is the advice to only test on rest days? As I say I'm probably being an idiot, not started on my pump yet so haven't got as far as basal testing - but was hoping I could fit it in apart from on weekends!
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Not being an idiot at all and what you observe is 100% correct.
 
just test during normal daily activity.......this will give best results.....

you wont be doing particularly large time windows will you...?

form meal to meal is enough for me....;)
 
CarbsRok said:
Hi Nicola, sounds as if your team are not being logical! 99.9% of people have weekend rates, holiday rates and work rates. Same as the children have school days holidays and weekend basals.
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I don't work anymore so I just have 1 basal rate programme to deal with weekdays and weekends. If I go out and do some form of long walks, I sometimes do a tbr if I can remember or just eat some carb to deal with bg dropping.

The problem with different basal rate programmes is that when bg levels start to change because of the level of activity changing, and on top of that, bg levels start to change as well, it's somewhat difficult to know just how much adjustment should be made to
Each basal programme and at what time frame.

Far easier to either do basal rate testing at work as long as the level of activity is more or less the same and then do a tbr to cover the days when not working or go the other way.
 
iHs said:
I don't work anymore so I just have 1 basal rate programme to deal with weekdays and weekends. If I go out and do some form of long walks, I sometimes do a tbr if I can remember or just eat some carb to deal with bg dropping.
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If you have weekend/day off rate which is considerably higher due to lack of activity then an awful lot of carbs are going to have to be consumed if physical working activity undertaken using the same basal pattern. Long walks are a different kettle of fish to work activity.
 
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