Carb to insulin ratio

[SOX22]

i was Diagnosed with Lada 8 months ago. I’ve found that there has been a dramatic change in my insulin to carb ratio over that time. Now at a unit of Nova rapid for 3 g carb for breakfast and lunch increasing to 6g in the evening. keep to a low carb diet which makes it manageable but just wondering if 1:3 is odd or not.

 

[EllieM]

i was Diagnosed with Lada 8 months ago. I’ve found that there has been a dramatic change in my insulin to carb ratio over that time. Now at a unit of Nova rapid for 3 g carb for breakfast and lunch increasing to 6g in the evening. keep to a low carb diet which makes it manageable but just wondering if 1:3 is odd or not.

I don't think so (I'm on 1 to 3 at lunch and 1 to 4 in the evening ). Some people need 20 units of insulin a day (or less), others need 200 (or more). That's just one reason why we can't give specific dosing advice here, as people's needs vary so widely.

Are you getting help from your diabetic team in calculating ratios or going it alone?

Edited to add , and welcome to the forums

 

[Antje77]

i was Diagnosed with Lada 8 months ago. I’ve found that there has been a dramatic change in my insulin to carb ratio over that time. Now at a unit of Nova rapid for 3 g carb for breakfast and lunch increasing to 6g in the evening. keep to a low carb diet which makes it manageable but just wondering if 1:3 is odd or not.

Hi @SOX22 , I've had LADA for 7 years and I need more insulin per carbs than you, especially in the mornings, also on a lowish carb diet.
After diagnosis, my insulin needs crept up for about 4 or 5 years before stabilising more or less.

 

[In Response]

There is no such thing as an “odd“ insulin to carb ratio. Just the ratio that works for you.
I notice yoI mentioned two things which may be related : you keep to a low carb ratio and your insulin resistance has increased.
I have read others saying that a low carb diet increases insulin resistance.
Is there a reason why you follow a low carb diet? Management of Type 1 (LADA is a variant of Type 1), is not about diet but about matching insulin to food and other activities.

 

[Antje77]

I notice yoI mentioned two things which may be related : you keep to a low carb ratio and your insulin resistance has increased.

Insulin resistance wasn't mentioned, only ratio.
It's completely expected for insulin needs to go up during the first year of having T1, beta cells aren't killed all at once.

 

[Hopeful34]

There is no 'normal' for ratios and amount of insulin needed. Everyone is different.

(mod edit to remove quote of deleted post)

 

[SOX22]

There is no such thing as an “odd“ insulin to carb ratio. Just the ratio that works for you.
I notice yoI mentioned two things which may be related : you keep to a low carb ratio and your insulin resistance has increased.
I have read others saying that a low carb diet increases insulin resistance.
Is there a reason why you follow a low carb diet? Management of Type 1 (LADA is a variant of Type 1), is not about diet but about matching insulin to food and other activities.

I keep to low carb to try and reduce spikes, anything over 8 m/mol and I feel quite unwell so I try to keep within 4-8 range . I find this easier by avoiding refined carb.

 

[SOX22]

I don't think so (I'm on 1 to 3 at lunch and 1 to 4 in the evening ). Some people need 20 units of insulin a day (or less), others need 200 (or more). That's just one reason why we can't give specific dosing advice here, as people's needs vary so widely.

Are you getting help from your diabetic team in calculating ratios or going it alone?

Edited to add , and welcome to the forums

Thank you, thats good to know I just couldn’t find reference anywhere , the lower I found was 1 to 6
not getting any help from the doctor, ended up going private to get a diagnosis so would need to go private again to get any support. Everything I’ve learnt has been through books / articles/ these forums. My last checkup at the surgery resulted in a discussion that my HBA1C is too good so maybe I should come of insulin. Have never asked how I have managed to drop from 88 to 36 , just assume at 36 I can’t be diabetic.

 

[EllieM]

Thank you, thats good to know I just couldn’t find reference anywhere , the lower I found was 1 to 6
not getting any help from the doctor, ended up going private to get a diagnosis so would need to go private again to get any support. Everything I’ve learnt has been through books / articles/ these forums. My last checkup at the surgery resulted in a discussion that my HBA1C is too good so maybe I should come of insulin. Have never asked how I have managed to drop from 88 to 36 , just assume at 36 I can’t be diabetic.

So are you still down as T2 in your nhs records or do you have an official lada diagnosis? My limited understanding of the uk system is that once you are t1 or lada you should be able to ask for care by a hospital endocrinologist rather than a gp...

 

[Sandra Peppa]

i was Diagnosed with Lada 8 months ago. I’ve found that there has been a dramatic change in my insulin to carb ratio over that time. Now at a unit of Nova rapid for 3 g carb for breakfast and lunch increasing to 6g in the evening. keep to a low carb diet which makes it manageable but just wondering if 1:3 is odd or not.

i was Diagnosed with Lada 8 months ago. I’ve found that there has been a dramatic change in my insulin to carb ratio over that time. Now at a unit of Nova rapid for 3 g carb for breakfast and lunch increasing to 6g in the evening. keep to a low carb diet which makes it manageable but just wondering if 1:3 is odd or not.

Hi Newbie. I seem to be on the same journey as you at the moment, I have been controlling by diet for around 4 months now and starting to go high, especially in the evenings. I have been told I can take 2 units before eating if I want to up my carbs for meals. I am still getting lows, but not so many now.

 

[SOX22]

So are you still down as T2 in your nhs records or do you have an official lada diagnosis? My limited understanding of the uk system is that once you are t1 or lada you should be able to ask for care by a hospital endocrinologist rather than a gp...

They received a T1 / Lada diagnosis from the endocrinologist and are prescribing me freestyle libre so I assume they updated but I still only get an annual review with the nurse.

 

[SOX22]

Hi Newbie. I seem to be on the same journey as you at the moment, I have been controlling by diet for around 4 months now and starting to go high, especially in the evenings. I have been told I can take 2 units before eating if I want to up my carbs for meals. I am still getting lows, but not so many now.

yes same journey, I controlled originally by diet but in the end was living on fat and still couldn’t control it. Made the decision to pay to see the specialist, such a good move . Hope the nexts months work well for you .

 

[EllieM]

They received a T1 / Lada diagnosis from the endocrinologist and are prescribing me freestyle libre so I assume they updated but I still only get an annual review with the nurse.

In your position I'd ask for a referral to the hospital endocrinologist. (Hopefully the UK folk won't say that this is no longer an option). The UK T1s also speak glowingly of DAFNE courses to help with adjusting your insulin doses.

 

[SOX22]

In your position I'd ask for a referral to the hospital endocrinologist. (Hopefully the UK folk won't say that this is no longer an option). The UK T1s also speak glowingly of DAFNE courses to help with adjusting your insulin doses.

Thx I will ask