Type 1 Carbs

[Nanaclaire]

Hi can anyone advice I've been type 1 for over 20 yrs at my checkup dr wants me to carb to insulin but been trying for a week think I'm getting the carbs calculated but the problem is the insulin what it works out at is way under to get my blood sugars down, for the last week I'm running from morning at 12-13 mmol to teatime 20+. Just seem to go higher as day goes on latest tea 19.8 had 53 carbs I've taken a 2-1 ratio help would b appreciated.

 

[catapillar]

Hi can anyone advice I've been type 1 for over 20 yrs at my checkup dr wants me to carb to insulin but been trying for a week think I'm getting the carbs calculated but the problem is the insulin what it works out at is way under to get my blood sugars down, for the last week I'm running from morning at 12-13 mmol to teatime 20+. Just seem to go higher as day goes on latest tea 19.8 had 53 carbs I've taken a 2-1 ratio help would b appreciated.

Your doctor wants you to carb to insulin what? Do you mean that you've been advised to carb count?

Your insulin to carb ratio would usually be units of insulin to grams of carb, e.g 1:10. So what does your 1-2 mean, Are you doing 1 unit for every two grams of carb?

There's s free NHS course on carb counting that should help with working out your ratio - https://www.bertieonline.org.uk

 

[steve_p6]

I would recommend a good read of 'Think like a pancreas' to get your head around things and also it explains how to make sure your basal is right and how to decide your carb:insulin ratios.

I use the Carbs and Cals app as an easy way to check carbs if you can't get numbers off of a packet.

 

[librarising]

the problem is the insulin what it works out at is way under to get my blood sugars down,

Since going on to insulin MDI a year ago, and visiting this forum a lot more for help, I've been aware that many seem to need to take far fewer units of insulin, to cover their carbs, than I and a few I've noticed posting about it, do. And that's on a largely LCHF diet.
Such people, feeling different (as I do), feel a bit freakish, and I've seen some start threads about how much insulin people use. Obviously I'm aware that everyone is different, but I'd love to see a bell-curve of average carbs/insulin ratios.
I couldn't start to get my head around factoring in a half-unit. Boluses start from 8 (Novorapid) My basal is 60 (Levemir,split)
I keep feeling my GP is going to call me in asking why I'm getting through so much insulin : ((

So Claire, it sounds like your GP (does dr = GP ?) has some rough idea of what an 'average' insulin user would use in a carbs/insulin ratio. It sounds like you're not average. You have to find out for yourself what your ratio is.

My only HbA1c (since insulin) was 38
In just over one year I've never had a hypo. That's NOT a boast. I mention it because it's something that also makes me feel freakish. I feel like I should be, and how much longer will my 'luck' hold out ?

Your post is simply showing you're not average : ))
Geoff

 

[azure]

Hi can anyone advice I've been type 1 for over 20 yrs at my checkup dr wants me to carb to insulin but been trying for a week think I'm getting the carbs calculated but the problem is the insulin what it works out at is way under to get my blood sugars down, for the last week I'm running from morning at 12-13 mmol to teatime 20+. Just seem to go higher as day goes on latest tea 19.8 had 53 carbs I've taken a 2-1 ratio help would b appreciated.

I'm guessing you mean carb counting? It's crucial for good control so,it's great you're doing it.

If your insulin to carb ratio is leaving you high all the time then it just needs adjusting. I don't know what your "2-1" means. Ratios are expressed as 1 unit of insulin to X amount of carbs eg 1:10g.

Before you started carb counting, did you do a basal test? It would be wise to make sure your basal dose is at the correct amount, then you can more confidently work on your ratios.

If you're struggling, I suggest you speak to your DSN rather than a GP as they have far more experience.

I also second the recommendation of Think Like A Pancreas.