bg levels

karen8967 · Sep 1, 2017

hi all just a quick question of a morning i only take 2 units of apidra plus 1 metformin tablet my hrs of work are 7am - 12pm i am a domestic in a care home b4 work i have two rich tea biscuits with me cup of tea then about 8am i have 2 weetabix after i have done my insulin then about 10.30am i have two pink wafers with me cup of tea but this week i have found my levels dropping i live about a 3mins walk from work place on doing lunchtime bloods my levels are around 4 any suggestions as if i take any less insulin it wouldnt be worth taking any i was put on the metformin tablet to level the insulin out because of constant hypos i think that was the reason . so much for quick question i end up writing an essay haha xx any suggestions will be greatlty appreciated .

catapillar · Sep 2, 2017

karen8967 said:
i was put on the metformin tablet to level the insulin out because of constant hypos

Type 1 diabetics don't usually take metformin, it would usually be prescribed to a type 1 who also had insulin resistance (or serious dawn phenomenon, or PCOS). If you are taking 2 units of bolus insulin to deal with 2 rich tea biscuits and 2 weatabix with milk (a total carb count of ~46g) youre on an insulin to carb ratio of 1 unit to 23g, which is certainly not insulin resistant. Metformin won't do anything to address hypos, reducing your insulin would.

It's not correct to say there's no point taking less than 2 units. Many newly diagnosed type 1s require small doses and get half unit pens to assist with small doasge adjustments. You should ask for a half unit pen.

Are you also on a basal insulin? You might need to basal test to see if your basal dosage is too high as it sounds like you are eating quite a few carbs in the morning to keep over 4.

karen8967 · Sep 2, 2017

catapillar said:
Type 1 diabetics don't usually take metformin, it would usually be prescribed to a type 1 who also had insulin resistance (or serious dawn phenomenon, or PCOS). If you are taking 2 units of bolus insulin to deal with 2 rich tea biscuits and 2 weatabix with milk (a total carb count of ~46g) youre on an insulin to carb ratio of 1 unit to 23g, which is certainly not insulin resistant. Metformin won't do anything to address hypos, reducing your insulin would.

It's not correct to say there's no point taking less than 2 units. Many newly diagnosed type 1s require small doses and get half unit pens to assist with small doasge adjustments. You should ask for a half unit pen.

Are you also on a basal insulin? You might need to basal test to see if your basal dosage is too high as it sounds like you are eating quite a few carbs in the morning to keep over 4.

yes i take 10 units of lantus b4 bed i also take 4units of apidra at lunch and 7 units at tea time but my readings are fine with these my waking blood levels are anything between 5.8 -8.6

karen8967 · Sep 2, 2017

catapillar said:
Type 1 diabetics don't usually take metformin, it would usually be prescribed to a type 1 who also had insulin resistance (or serious dawn phenomenon, or PCOS). If you are taking 2 units of bolus insulin to deal with 2 rich tea biscuits and 2 weatabix with milk (a total carb count of ~46g) youre on an insulin to carb ratio of 1 unit to 23g, which is certainly not insulin resistant. Metformin won't do anything to address hypos, reducing your insulin would.

It's not correct to say there's no point taking less than 2 units. Many newly diagnosed type 1s require small doses and get half unit pens to assist with small doasge adjustments. You should ask for a half unit pen.

Are you also on a basal insulin? You might need to basal test to see if your basal dosage is too high as it sounds like you are eating quite a few carbs in the morning to keep over 4.

i have always had problems between breakfast and lunch time with my insulin i think consultant did say i was insulin sensetive and she would like me to keep my levels around 6ish upon waking if im remembering correctly x

Scott-C · Sep 2, 2017

As well as balancing insulin and carbs, exercise has to be thought about as well. By exercise, I don't just mean going out for run or to the gym. You're working as a domestic in a care home, so if it involves things like changing beds, helping lift residents, cleaning, stuff like that, it all adds up and counts as exercise just as much as doing some bench presses. Generally, the more activity, the less insulin. Seems to fit with you saying you're generally fine with lunch and teatime.

catapillar · Sep 2, 2017

karen8967 said:
yes i take 10 units of lantus b4 bed i also take 4units of apidra at lunch and 7 units at tea time but my readings are fine with these my waking blood levels are anything between 5.8 -8.6

This page has information on how to basal test - https://mysugr.com/basal-rate-testing/

It sounds like you are on fixed doses for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's unusual. Most people on a basal bolus regiem will be carb counting, so adjusting their insulin dosage with food to take account of the carbs being eaten. There is a free NHS online course on carb counting - https://www.bertieonline.org.uk

bg levels

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bg levels

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