Desperate - please help - trying to increase levels

[Michele01]

Hi. I’m a type 1.5 insulin dependent. Normally my levels chug away around 6-8 then when I eat increase and decrease. So nothing to worry about and my HBA1c normally is around 50.

So I’ve noticed that about a week every two months, my levels drop and I keep having hypos and I have to decrease my insulin by at least a third (only the short acting though) for a few days maybe a bit more. Then it seems to go back to normal.

However this is the week but I can’t increase my levels. I’ve just had to eat two bowls of rice without insulin to get my levels out of the hypo range. I’ve attached my log from today. To get out of the hypos that have been happening this afternoon I had 6 cola bottle sweets (that normally does the trick on their own) plus 2 large marshmallows and a bag of crisps)! Clearly I don’t want to eat like that.

Please tell me what’s happening.

 

[Antje77]

So I’ve noticed that about a week every two months, my levels drop and I keep having hypos and I have to decrease my insulin by at least a third (only the short acting though) for a few days maybe a bit more

So I’ve noticed that about a week every two months, my levels drop and I keep having hypos and I have to decrease my insulin by at least a third (only the short acting though) for a few days maybe a bit more.

This happens to me sometimes depending on my cycle. Your profile doesn't say your age or sex so I have no idea if this is relevant for you but I definitely need(ed) to decrease both basal and bolus for this.
At the moment my cycles are completely unpredictable at 49.

 

[Jaylee]

Hi. I’m a type 1.5 insulin dependent. Normally my levels chug away around 6-8 then when I eat increase and decrease. So nothing to worry about and my HBA1c normally is around 50.

So I’ve noticed that about a week every two months, my levels drop and I keep having hypos and I have to decrease my insulin by at least a third (only the short acting though) for a few days maybe a bit more. Then it seems to go back to normal.

However this is the week but I can’t increase my levels. I’ve just had to eat two bowls of rice without insulin to get my levels out of the hypo range. I’ve attached my log from today. To get out of the hypos that have been happening this afternoon I had 6 cola bottle sweets (that normally does the trick on their own) plus 2 large marshmallows and a bag of crisps)! Clearly I don’t want to eat like that.

Please tell me what’s happening.

Hi,

What basal are you using & how many units per day?
I’m asking because could this coincide with a new cartridge of basal insulin??

 

[jaywak]

Every now and then ,at least every two months my dependancy on insulin will decrease so much that I have thought a miracle has happened and I am cured , but no such blessing and it will come back to normal again , I can't think of any reason for it ,it just happens . By the way I am 67 years old male and had type 1 with no complications for 51 years .

 

[Prancy]

I am type 1 female for over 26 years. I am on pump treatment now, but still experience periods where I have unexplained hypos. My automated pump/cgm does a good job at backing off on delivery when its needed or increasing if that is needed, however sometimes I still struggle. I usually contact my Endo or CDE for advice. It might be that they change my insulin/ carb ratio. There are options on the pump that are different from MDI, but your healthcare team may have some suggestions.

It’s frustrating and a mystery. I hope you can find some suggestions that help.

 

[EllieM]

Probably a stupid queston, but have you double checked those readings agains a glucometer? Last week I went on a hike without it and when my meter went low gave myself what felt like infinity carbs to get my levels up to a reasonable level. When I double checked against a glucometer I discovered my meter was reading much much lower than my actual level and I had to change my sensor....

Assuming the lows are real, as @Prancy said I would contact my team for advice.

Failing a response from them, I would lower the amount of insulin in my system...

 

[Michele01]

Thank you everyone. It turned out that it wasn’t one of the normal dips for me - it turned out to be a faulty Libre 3 sensor. Looking at my readings it had been going wrong for around a week. When I manually took a reading it was so high off the scale it didn’t register. Anyway a huge dose of insulin and a good 12 hours later it was all under control again. What’s very weird is normally I know if I’m high or low but this time I was ignoring the signs and relying on the sensor readings. I won’t do that again. Thank you everybody who replied.

 

[Michele01]

This happens to me sometimes depending on my cycle. Your profile doesn't say your age or sex so I have no idea if this is relevant for you but I definitely need(ed) to decrease both basal and bolus for this.
At the moment my cycles are completely unpredictable at 49.

I’m 63 so past cycles but I can see how that might make a difference. Thank you for replying.

 

[Michele01]

I am type 1 female for over 26 years. I am on pump treatment now, but still experience periods where I have unexplained hypos. My automated pump/cgm does a good job at backing off on delivery when its needed or increasing if that is needed, however sometimes I still struggle. I usually contact my Endo or CDE for advice. It might be that they change my insulin/ carb ratio. There are options on the pump that are different from MDI, but your healthcare team may have some suggestions.

It’s frustrating and a mystery. I hope you can find some suggestions that help.

Thank you for your response. I don’t use a pump but did try to contact my team but they’re not great at responding. It turned out to be a faulty sensor!

 

[Michele01]

Every now and then ,at least every two months my dependancy on insulin will decrease so much that I have thought a miracle has happened and I am cured , but no such blessing and it will come back to normal again , I can't think of any reason for it ,it just happens . By the way I am 67 years old male and had type 1 with no complications for 51 years .

That’s exactly what happens to me. It’s odd isn’t it? This time though it was a faulty sensor!

 

[Tony337]

Hi
People go on and on about insulin resistance on this site but there is not as much discussed about insulin sensitivity...
I'm like @jaywak where every so often i can have a day where i'm stuck in the 5s and no matter what i do i stay stuck and think i'm cured!
The following day slaps me in the face.

I monitor my steps as i need to be on the move in order to make my insulin to work like i want it to.
If i am moving more than normal that can cause lots of lows even with only a little novorapid on board.

I often eat then take novorapid after food when i know i'm sensitive.

If i have a day or two stuffing myself with carbs i don't gain weight.

To sum up
if i'm resistant i stop the carbs and increase insulin.
If i'm sensitive i with hold the novorapid until i know i'm on the rise.

Accuracy of a CGM is questionable as already mentioned and as an old hack i have no problem finger pricking.

My post is about me and would not recommend doing anything until you have spoke to a professional.

I wish you well

Tony