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How do I know if insulin/carb ratio is correct?

RosieDred

Well-Known Member
Messages
289
Location
South Wales
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all, just wondering if for my ratio to be correct so my figures before the next meal have to be exactly the same or can it be slightly different?

Before breakfast I was 7 and before lunch I was 6.3 ... Is this close enough for my breakfast ratio to be right?

Thanks in advance


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Yes it is! I aim to be within 1mmol/l if I can, but DAFNE advocates up to 2mmol/l I believe


Blogging at drivendiabetic.wordpress.com
 
Remember your meter is only accurate to about 15-20% too!


Blogging at drivendiabetic.wordpress.com
 
Sorry if this is a dim question, but what effect does that have? Does that mean that I can't really know if I'm doing this right or not?


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
We'll take your starting BG of 7, it could really have been anywhere from 5.6-8.4

My point is that you can take BG with 10 seconds of each other and get 2 SLIGHTLY different numbers. So if you're only slightly off from where you expected then you're probably fine


Blogging at drivendiabetic.wordpress.com
 
Ah right I get it, so I'm still doing something right then. Initially I thought it meant I would get it wrong no matter what lol.

Thanks again


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
Not only is the meter not that accurate but it is not possible to be that accurate with the estimated carbs in a meal so even though your ratio is may be about right you may still have a higher or lower blood sugar after the meal than you expected. You also need to include a bit for fats and proteins in the meal so nothing is easy!
 
So I guess a change of 0.7 isn't too bad then. How do I account for fats and proteins in meals and how will they affect my levels? It's all so complicated I feel like I will be forever asking questions. Also, how long before eating should I inject my novorapid?

Sorry for the extra questions and thanks for your help and comments


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
The effect of proteins and fats is small so I would ignore them in practice. Fat does slow down absorption. Normally I inject the rapid just before eating. It takes about 15 mins to start working. If you have a very fatty meal some say to inject just after the meal; views vary but I tend to inject before the meal anyway
 
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