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Can't seem to get BS levels down now 20

O

orchidlady

Well-Known Member
Messages
89
I am on insulin and still getting to grips with Carb counting. My reading was 19 after breakfast and taking what I tough the correct does to balance food, so I took a correction does of 3 and tested again is now 20 have not had anything else to eat. Just taken another 3 but getting concerned as not feeling great. Any thoughts?
 
If it was high before breakfast, I would suggest your ring your nurse and follow the Sick day rules till it comes down, do you have keto strips, you may have high ketones if you feel unwell, for safety sake if you get worse, go to A&E ..dka will put you on a drip for a week if you leave it too long
http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=141

http://www.diabetes-healthnet.ac.uk...flet_-_Sick_Day_Rules_for_Type_1_-_Nov_13.pdf

Sick day rules flowchart

http://www.leicestershirediabetes.org.uk/uploads//documents/Type1 Sick_day_rules_InsulinV3.pdf
 
Last edited by a moderator:
have you been on your course yet?
when you are feeling better, there is an online course and some work books that may help and includes how to work out corrections
 
I have tested Ketones and is trace so that is ok, I have never taken so much insulin in one day, I was told fast acting takes 15 minutes is that correct and that 1 shot of insulin should bring level down by 3 except in my case does not seem to be working
 
Unfortunately the statement that 1u will lower BG by 3mmol/l isn't a hard and fast rule. Most people aren't homogenous so it may very well be different. In addition, when your BG is high,. it often requires more insulin to have an effect.

For me 1u at a normal BG (<10mmol/l) is about a 2.5 mmol/l drop. At the level you are at, 1u will lower me nearer 1.5.

In addition, fast acting insulins (Novorapid in my case) tends to take longer than 15 mins to have an effect. Many of us find it doesn't kick in until 30-45 mins have passed.
 
you are better to ring your nurse..she will work out your insulin on board and the correction dose
it's good that you are trace..you can relax a bit work out your correction dose with the nurse...you may need to inject every 2 hrs till it comes down
http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=141
If bg is 10-13mmol/l and ketones are “small” or “moderate”
Calculate the total insulin (basal and bolus) in the previous 24 hours, calculate 10 per cent of that. or divide by 10
Bolus: take take equivalent of 10 per cent of that daily total every 2 hours
Plus normal bolus ratio for anything you eat.
Maintain usual basal doses
Monitor bg and ketones 2 hourly.
Have 100ml of sugar-free liquids per hour.

When bg drops below 10mmol/l AND ketones are negative or trace:
Eat/drink 10-20g carb
Use normal bolus ratios
Use normal basal dose.
Monitor bg and ketones 2-4 hourly.

If bg is over 13mmol/l and ketones are “moderate” or “large”
Calculate the total insulin (basal and bolus) in the previous 24 hours, calculate 20 per cent of that....or divide by 5
Bolus: take equivalent of 20 per cent of that daily total every 2 hours
Plus normal bolus ratio for anything you eat.
Maintain usual basal doses
Monitor bg and ketones 2 hourly.
Have 100ml of sugar-free liquids per hour.

When bg drops below 10mmol/l AND ketones are negative or trace:
Eat/drink 10-20g carb
Use normal bolus ratios
Use normal basal dose.
Monitor bg and ketones 2-4 hourly.
 
Thanks for advice so far, I have called the nurse and have taken 6 units, will allow longer before testing, I am on Novorapid too. Will keep an eye on ketones though, feeling a bit sick but probably something else
 
orchidlady said:
Thanks for advice so far, I have called the nurse and have taken 6 units, will allow longer before testing, I am on Novorapid too. Will keep an eye on ketones though, feeling a bit sick but probably something else
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you took your rapid for the correction..right? I'm glad it's sorting out for you

from what I've read on the forum..you may be coming down with something..that throws everything out
 
Yes, being ill can make levels shoot up. Have you checked your Basal units to get them in balance? If you are ill they also need to be moved up a bit.
 
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