Feel like im on a lot of insulin for age! please help?

[thinkingofname]

I'm 16 years old t1 and my insulin routine consists of:

'Humalog mix25' in the morning (lasts upto dinner time)- about 25-32 units depending on breakfast.

Novorapid (fast acting) at dinner time- usually around 23 units but again depends on what i eat (i ususaly eat a 60-70g carbohydrate dinner).
Levemir (slow acting, till morning) dinnertime- Around 23 units.

Ive had diabetes all my life (since 18 months) and i just feel like im takig a lot of insulin for someone my age.It seems to work well for me i guess. I am about 5ft6 and weigh about 132lb, i guess thats okay.

everyone else i hear from seems to take a lot less units each meal tha i do. I try and do that carb to insulin ratio thing but i can never figure out wha mines is. For example: most people my weight would take about 1 unit of insulin for every 10-15 grams of carbohydrate.
say im having a dinner that consists of 70grams of carbohydrate, that means i should be taking 7-5 initsof insulin! And i take 23!...thats way out!

the reason im asking is because i want to lose a few pounds, just to be healthier+ a bit slimmer and all. And im struggling trying to figure out my insulin ratio. if i took 7 units for a 70 gram meal, i reackon my sugear would be way too high!....how come im way up on 23 units? and what would my ratio be anyway? does anyone know? :shock:

 

[Netty70]

Wow I don't have an answer as I'm T2 but I read your post and you sound so clued up on it all your family must be very proud of you
Nice to read a young person so positive and just getting on with everything
Well done


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[Lucypieee]

Everyone is different is the long and short of it. I used to be on a lot of insulin long and short acting, that changed when I went on the insulin pump, I've more than halved what I used to take in a day.

Do you rotate your sites often? I have had insulin pockets, so my absorption has been affected before.

Some people, just need more insulin because they have a lower absorption rate which could be for many reasons, bad sites / swelling, weight, hormones, genetics etc.

If you're happy with what you're doing, I wouldn't worry.


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[Juicyj]

Hi there,

When did you last see your consultant or nurse ?

Do you keep a diary of your doses ?

What are your readings like during the day ?

If you dont have a diary then start writing one - you can get them from a number of sources such as Abbott, this way you can start tracking what you are taking vs your carb intake - here you can start to identify patterns and trends and if your doses need to be reduced. Another method for checking how your background is doing is to try eating no carbs for 1/2 a day and then you can see if your BG is rising or remaining stable, I do this every few months and it's good for keeping an eye on the background insulin. If you want to lose weight you will also need to get your carb/insulin ratio spot on - so can you download carbs and cals on your phone or buy the book ? Check with your nurse that you are taking the right short acting amount to manage your carb intake. Also push to get onto DAFNE - this will help enourmously and get you on track to taking the right amount of insulin.

Well done for asking the question and I hope you get some support on this.

Jus