Increased bgs- new to low carbing

Welcome to the forum Shews,hopefully a knowledgeable type 1 will be along shortly to answer your question.

I'm not a T1, so don't know anything, but isn't 1unit per meal rather low? Perhaps that would account for the higher fasting too.
For your health's sake, you need to keep your numbers down. Would it work to have a little more bolus and work it downwards gradually?, Monitoring at 1; 2; and perhaps 3 hours after eating.
Have you read Bernstein?

Hi shews and welcome to the forum.

As a type 1 low-carber I'll happily give you my opinion on what might be happening. A bolus of 1 unit per meal is very small, smaller than I use, and I don't use very much! Particularly since your blood glucose is already elevated, a 1 unit dose may only be enough to work as a 'correction dose', lowering your bg to a normal level. That would leave no insulin to cover the actual meal.

Also, it's wrong to assume that insulin is only required to metabolise carbs. Insulin is also needed for protein, although to a much smaller extent. As an example, a meal of zero carbs, say bacon & eggs, will still produce blood glucose and I typically need 3 units to cover it. So it sounds to me as if you are using too little insulin. Low doses are great news, but only if blood sugar stays within range.

Also, meals with less carbohydrate and more protein and fat will digest much more slowly than meals higher in carbs and lower in fat. This could well still be making blood sugar if you eat late and go to bed before everything's fully digested.

If it's helpful, I usually get through around 2700-3000 calories per day but always fewer than 30g carbs. Even so, my typical bolus doses are 3, 2 and 7 for breakfast lunch and dinner.

I hope that's useful and please keep us posted.

All the best,

fergus

I don't low carb, but I do sometimes have meals with less carbs. Like you I normally use a 1-10 ratio but find I have to use more insulin than expected to cover just a few carbs, the protein is the culprit hereI think. It is a bit trial and error though so don't overdo it by adding too much!
If you have increased both your protein and fat then the fat may slow down the digestion process and may account for your BG rise overnight.

Fergus answered first but I'll post this anyway

This contribution will be helpful (posted last year):

chocoholic said:

I'm really trying to stay "low-carb"
But finding it so hard.
My mood keeps changing daily,
As I crave all foodstuffs barred.

I've tried to think of other things
But running through my head
Are thoughts of spuds and pasta
And chunks of crusty bread.

I just can't get excited
Over salad,veg and meats
I've really tried but failed
To enjoy those low-carb "eats".

I don't smoke or drink alcohol.
I eat a balanced diet.
And when I heard of low-carb
I really had to try it.

I started off so very well
And full of good intention
But now I'm simply going ape
At every "low-carb" mention.

My readings have gone mad again
I cannot fathom why.
I'm feeling so confused
And I've even had a cry.

You lot are so supportive
And I know this sounds pathetic
But please tell me I am normal....
For hating being DIABETIC!

Click to expand...

There's some hopefully useful stuff on here

http://www.dsolve.com/

and here

http://www.insulin-pumpers.org.uk/

When low carbing, you don't need to restrict fats at all and proteins are "Free" too unless you have kidney damage and have been told to be careful A portion fits into the palm of your hand. All studies show that low carbers don't need to restrict calories.