Exercise and night hypos

[Nicolak]

Hey guys

Wondering if anyone can help.....I have started exercising 4 times a week and its very high intensity training. My blood sugar levels are amazing through the day, the odd high or low but I always know the reasons behind the odd readings.

I am having very little carbs as well so my insulin intake is very little.

My problem is hypos during the night. My blood sugar is fine when I test it before bed (between 5 and 6) but guaranteed I will wake up between 1 and 2 times a night having a pretty bad hypo! Last night was midnight and 3am - it tends to happen around 5am more often than not. Since starting exercising about a month ago my day insulin ratio is now 1:1 from 1:2 and my lantus has gone from 40 to 32 but still no change! I have even started eating two cracker type things before bed with out an injection to try and stop the hypos but again no change!

It is seriously getting me down now and I feel awful in the mornings, not to mention feeling so guilty that I am doing all this exercise to then have to eat around 5 jelly babies per hypo (sometimes more depending on how bad the hypo is).

I just don't know where to go from here.....has anyone had similar problems? Or just give me some advice?

Many thanks
Nicola

 

[teacher123]

Welcome and great that you are exercising regularly

What are you eating post-workout?

What about long-acting carbohydrates before going to bed?

Have you had a look at www.runsweet.com, it has great advice for a range of sports and a good place to start

 

[Nicolak]

Hey! Thank you so much for replying!

I tend to eat my lunch or dinner as normal then might have a banana just before class starts.

Yea I could try long acting

Many thanks and have a good day

N x

 

[teacher123]

Your welcome @Nicolak

After workouts your body will need to replenish its muscles and liver stores of glycogen so the drop in levels can take place several hours later as shown by your night time hypo. Sitting around 5-6 at bed time is great and eating less carbohydrate generally seems to be the best way of eating for us diabetics but try some long-acting carbohydrates before bed, do a middle of the night test (2-3am) and see how levels are doing. I also find a few hours after exercising and testing levels that taking on some glucose tablets helps stabilise my levels rather than experiencing glucose crashes. It's just trial and error

 

[Nicolak]

That is such helpful advice, I really appreciate it!

I will take a look at that website you suggested as well later on

Thanks

N x

 

[Spiker]

As @teacher123 says it will be glycogen replenishment during the night that is causing the hypos.

As an alternative to overnight carbs you could try reducing overnight basal insulin on a day you exercise, particularly if you are on a twice daily basal, or a pump.

 

[Neemo]

High Intensity exercise temporarily heightens Insulin sensitivity (Glycogen replenishment being one of the primary factors); this can differ significantly depending on how intense your session is.

I've been training HIT regularly for close to 10 years, initially I experienced frequent hypos, however through trial and error I established that reducing my basal (Lantus by 30 to 40 percent was the most effective course of action for my body) additionally my Novarapid requirements reduced by up to 50 percent post exercise.

So in short I would recommend reducing basal on training days (presumably you are also experiencing heightened insulin sensitivity the next day) and ensuring you have a snack pre bedtime; it's a case of testing, testing and re-testing to understand how your body is reacting to the exercise.
Can be a frustrating 'exercise', but once you establish a regime/routine, you can enjoy and reap the benefits of High Intensity exercise without nasty hypos .

Exercise = Endorphons > Euphoria (and all the associated health benefits and weight management)

 

[Nicolak]

Thanks guys.....all your advice is so helpful!

I was so fed up this morning and felt so ill! I will reduce my lantus further and start testing testing testing

Also I think from the advice I need to start having small snacks after exercise and before bed!

Thanks again!

N x

High Intensity exercise temporarily heightens Insulin sensitivity (Glycogen replenishment being one of the primary factors); this can differ significantly depending on how intense your session is.

I've been training HIT regularly for close to 10 years, initially I experienced frequent hypos, however through trial and error I established that reducing my basal (Lantus by 30 to 40 percent was the most effective course of action for my body) additionally my Novarapid requirements reduced by up to 50 percent post exercise.

So in short I would recommend reducing basal on training days (presumably you are also experiencing heightened insulin sensitivity the next day) and ensuring you have a snack pre bedtime; it's a case of testing, testing and re-testing to understand how your body is reacting to the exercise.
Can be a frustrating 'exercise', but once you establish a regime/routine, you can enjoy and reap the benefits of High Intensity exercise without nasty hypos .

Exercise = Endorphons > Euphoria (and all the associated health benefits and weight management)