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Improved insulin absorption with shorter needles?

D

DanO97

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Since last Wednesday I have switched from using 5mm to 4mm pen tops for my long acting tresiba dose.

Since this change I have experienced an extraordinary change in basal requirements, having to reduce my dose from 18 to 10 units due to consistently stubborn loss after onset in the afternoon, with steadiness only just being gained . Currently on the DAFNE Course this week which has coincided well with this oddity. I'm Just wondering whether anyone else has experienced such changes relating to the use of shorter needles?
 
DanO97 said:
Since last Wednesday I have switched from using 5mm to 4mm pen tops for my long acting tresiba dose.

Since this change I have experienced an extraordinary change in basal requirements, having to reduce my dose from 18 to 10 units due to consistently stubborn loss after onset in the afternoon, with steadiness only just being gained . Currently on the DAFNE Course this week which has coincided well with this oddity. I'm Just wondering whether anyone else has experienced such changes relating to the use of shorter needles?
Click to expand...
It's more likely to be the hot weather?
 
ert said:
It's more likely to be the hot weather?
Click to expand...
Agree. But as I do have a box of 4mm's, I'm still going to try them for a week. I usually use 5mm too.
I don't really expect anything from it, @DanO97 , but I'll give you an update in a week or so :)

(if it doesn't make a difference, at least it gets me rid of the unused insulin needles)
 
Hi @DanO97 ,
As promised I've used the 4mm needles for a week and I've found no difference in my bg numbers or insulin need at all. I'm pretty stable, so I definitely would have noticed the change.

I did find that I don't like the shorter needles at all. The little bump of insulin seems to sit more noticably under my skin after injecting and it stings more than with the 5mm's. I still decided to finish my week long experiment, as hey, it's only one little prick a day, but very happy to go back to my usual needles now.

The box of 4mm needles will find a nice cozy place at the back of the cupboard for the next 30 years, waiting for the 'emergency' that will never happen :)
 
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