juliannaleit
Member
- Messages
- 7
- Type of diabetes
- Type 1
- Treatment type
- Insulin
I don't consider myself a lady but I do have periods (if erratically now I'm 47).Hopefully some of our T1 ladies will be along to give you some tips and share their experiences soon
What about setting your low alarm a bit higher so your sensor will wake you up before you're actually hypo? That way you may be able to prevent the hypo instead of treating it.During those pre-period days, my blood sugar will suddenly drop in the middle of the night, and I'll wake up hypoglycemic.
I already set my alarm, but that's not my biggest issue right now. When I have low blood sugar at night and eat a little sugar, my levels spike up again quickly. On normal days, if I eat 20-30 grams of sugar when I'm low, it brings me back to normal (5-6 mmol/l). But before my period starts, even if I eat the same amount, it sends me into hyperglycemia (9-12mmol/l).I'm sorry to hear you're struggling with your diabetes around your period @juliannaleit .
I don't consider myself a lady but I do have periods (if erratically now I'm 47).
When I still had my periods regularly, up to a year or so ago, I always needed a lot less insulin in the days leading up to my period, so I anticipated by reducing both my basal and my bolus as soon as I saw those drops starting.
For others, it's the other way around, they go high before they start their period.
I think the best thing you can do is use your CGM (I'm assuming you use one) to find the patterns as well as you can so you can act on them.
What basal insulin do you use?
Depending on the brand, it may be worth adjusting your basal as well as your bolus for those days where you seem to be running high all the time.
What about setting your low alarm a bit higher so your sensor will wake you up before you're actually hypo? That way you may be able to prevent the hypo instead of treating it.
So it looks like you found a pattern here, and you may be able to use it to your advantage.When I have low blood sugar at night and eat a little sugar, my levels spike up again quickly. On normal days, if I eat 20-30 grams of sugar when I'm low, it brings me back to normal (5-6 mmol/l). But before my period starts, even if I eat the same amount, it sends me into hyperglycemia (9-12mmol/l).
Yes, that's correct. Before my period, my body is very sensitive to sugar. Normally, 20-30 grams of sugar will bring my blood sugar back to normal. But before my period, it takes double or triple that amount.So it looks like you found a pattern here, and you may be able to use it to your advantage.
You worked out that your normal hypo treatment of 20-30 grams is too much in the days leading up to your period.
So what about reducing the amount of carbs you use to treat a hypo in the days leading up to your period?
Same here! And yes, I also gave up eating breakfast.When I was having periods, I needed a lot more insulin in the week before I came on, and then less than normal for the first few days of my period.
Thank you for asking. Overall, my blood sugar levels have been pretty good lately. I've been working from home on my laptop but staying active in between tasks. Hyperglycemia doesn't happen very often, and heavier hypos are also quite rare since I wear a Freestyle Libre sensor. The only times it's been a problem are around my period or when I'm stressed. For some reason, during those times, my body doesn't respond to insulin.Bear in mind it could also be that a different basal insulin would suit you better (or not). Sometimes it can be a bit of trial and error finding what works best for you at that time.
How are your levels outside of the time of the month?
Have you done any basal testing recently, particularly the week before your period?
Stress and hormones are notorious for raising blood sugar, and we're all different, but a lot of us need more insulin to cope with them.The only times it's been a problem are around my period or when I'm stressed. For some reason, during those times, my body doesn't respond to insulin.
A lot of people find they need less insulin when it's hot (some need more), and activity can lower or raise blood sugar depending on the type of activity. Holidays are hopefully a relaxing time, so we're not stressed and insulin needs reduce. It could well have been a mixture of all of these.I'm not sure if it was the heat or all the activity (I'm usually very active), but I rarely used insulin.
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