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Increased bgs- new to low carbing

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shews

Active Member
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I am a type 1 with a A1c of 8.4. Being a stone overweight and having bg's that flucuate massively each day i have decidied to try low carbing.

I have replaced my reasonably sensible diet (150grams carb per day) with a low carb/ high fat/protein diet. I am finding this way of eating relatively easy to do at the moment and am on day 5 of a 14 day restiected carb phase. At present my carb intake is approx 30 grams per day.

HOWEVER.... whilst i give myself a bolus dose of 1 unit per meal to cover any carbs in veggies etc I am still riding higher than usual with a reading of 10-13. I also seem to be waking up with slightly higher sugars despite my basal doses working well am prior this diet.

I am longing for my bgs to lower as it was the main reason i began this diet. I also haven't noticed any weight loss yet so am beginning to feel a bit hopeless.

Has anyone else needed to adjust their basal doses with low carbing?
I thought i was matching my bolus dose with my carbs exactly but i seem to need more insulin somehow.

Help!!
 
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?
 
I have just bought it and have only started reading it today!

Previously I have given 1 unit to every 10 carbs. So I assumed that this would apply no matter how few carbs i ate.
Maybe i need more then? I'll try this tonight.
Thanks for the advice
 
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 :D
 
Excellent advice thanks. Suddenly it all makes sense. I have a tendancy to undercut my insulin anyway (a bad habit I have got myself into) so I figured if I cut the carbs I'd need virtually no bolus doses.
The protein indeed seems to be the culprit and I will make sure I take that into account.

Wish I'd found this forum sooner, its so helpful.
I will keep you posted.

Thanks again

:D
 
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...
 
Good news. I have been experimenting with my bolus doses and thanks to all your good advice my levels have now stabilised to 5-6.

I feel so much better now and am really getting into the swing of low carbing.

I haven't lost much weight (2 pounds in 12 days) yet but its early days. I was wondering whether i am just eating too much!
I am snacking on macadamias/ham/cheese and eating mainly green veg and meat/fish. I don't feel like i am eating more than I used to.
Do you restrict your overall fat/calorie intake?
 
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.
 
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