Highs Before Meals

[Cathylondon]

I've been diagnosed with Type 1 for 6 weeks and am on Levemir (8u/5u) and Novorapid (3u/3u/3u). I've been getting BG readings of 10-14 before meals, even though I'm eating small, low carb, low GI meals and waiting up to 6 hours between meals - despite being desperate to snack! Is there anyone out there with more experience than me who could let me know if this is normal at this stage or whether I'm doing something majorly wrong. My DSN has told me only to adjust my Novorapid according to the meter reading before meals ( +1u when over 11) but not to adjust at any other time, for at least 6 months.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi @Cathylondon, from my experience on insulin for 51 years, but is not professional advice or opinion.
I would report to your dsn what your bsl readings are 2 hours after meals ( to see whether the novorapid ( bolus) doses are doing their job), and what your fasting bsl is to get an idea of how well your night time levemir is working.
If you were willing to spend money on a Libre device you could obtain a graph of your bsl readings to better.
You may also wish to discuss with your dsn about testing your basal dose ( as raised bsls despite adequate bolus could suggest insufficient am Levemir).
Also a low carb doet often means high protein as well and about 50 % protein is said to be converted to glucose at about the 3 to 4 hour mark after a meal, when short-acting insulin is on the wane. ( and the Levemir is holding the fort and keeping bsl in range). Best Wishes on getting things right !!

 

[Cathylondon]

Hi @Cathylondon, from my experience on insulin for 51 years, but is not professional advice or opinion.
I would report to your dsn what your bsl readings are 2 hours after meals ( to see whether the novorapid ( bolus) doses are doing their job), and what your fasting bsl is to get an idea of how well your night time levemir is working.
If you were willing to spend money on a Libre device you could obtain a graph of your bsl readings to better.
You may also wish to discuss with your dsn about testing your basal dose ( as raised bsls despite adequate bolus could suggest insufficient am Levemir).
Also a low carb doet often means high protein as well and about 50 % protein is said to be converted to glucose at about the 3 to 4 hour mark after a meal, when short-acting insulin is on the wane. ( and the Levemir is holding the fort and keeping bsl in range). Best Wishes on getting things right !!

Hi Kitedoc, thanks so much for your reply. I have a Libre device which is great and the more I learn about all of this, the clearer it is that it is early days - only 5 weeks since diagnosis and it will take a while to get things settled. Can't wait until this becomes 'normal' rather than a permanent anxiety attack! thanks.

 

[kitedoc]

Hi Kitedoc, thanks so much for your reply. I have a Libre device which is great and the more I learn about all of this, the clearer it is that it is early days - only 5 weeks since diagnosis and it will take a while to get things settled. Can't wait until this becomes 'normal' rather than a permanent anxiety attack! thanks.

Hi @Cathylondon, you are doing great ! Taking over from a part of one's pancreas gland that used to operate on autopilot takes time. Please make sure to relax with music, comedy, hobbies and interests and like driving, make little movements in the steering wheel at a time. And they say that (Voltaire): "Life is a shipwreck, but at least we can sing in the lifeboats !"