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Insulin Sensitivity - What's happening?

Kevlar87

Kevlar87

Well-Known Member
Messages
68
Location
London
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Tomatoes
Hi guys

So at the start of the year I began weight training at the gym and over time my insulin sensitivity increased. In addition I was playing a lot of football and squash so it was good! My diabetes was well controlled and I felt good! My bolus insulin was around:

breakfast - 10 units novorapid
lunch - 10 units novorapid
dinner - depending on food I'd typically take 12-15 units

Levemir doses: 2 doses of 23 units at 12 hours apart (midday and midnight approx)

Here's the thing I really don't get

I've moved to Paris and for the last few months I haven't been weight training in the gym

For the first month this was ok but in the last few weeks (i'd say the last 2 weeks) my insulin resistance has shot up!

Now I'm taking almost double the novorapid in the mornings for breakfast

breakfast - 17-20 units novorapid
lunch - 17-20 units novorapid
dinner - 15-20

and then my levemir dosage has gone up by 10 units per day!

Levemir dose: 2 doses of 28 units at 12 hours apart

What could be behind this shoot up in insulin resistance??

Is it just simply the fact I've stopped doing anaerobic exercise? Are there ways I can increase my sensitivity again?

I'm worried because I don't get to go to the gym much as my hours are long and all I do is press ups and situps in my apartment!

I play football once a week but I don't feel that's enough! :/

any advice or tips would be really appreciated!
 
Hi Kevlar,

You've hit the nail on the head, exercise is the key. Unless you've ruled out all other factors such as illness or increase in carbs.

Unless you can revert to what you were doing then your quick acting doses will shoot up, I find when i'm out on my bike or running that I can drop my qa and my sensitivity is improved.

I can't give you any tips - however what's your work and can you employer make allowances for you to attend a gym ?
 
Same thing happened to me, is topped exercising for a few months and my lantus shot up by 16 units
 
Many of us see insulin sensitivity changes after a few days without going to the gym, so that it has lasted as long as it has for you is doubly good. As @Juicyj says though, the only real answer is to go back to the gym.
 
You don't just have to go to the gym to get your insulin requirements down, simple exercise like walking for 30-60mins after meals will see some reduction @Kevlar87
 
thanks guys

I'm getting into running now so I'll be going for a jog every other evening starting this week and we'll see the progress!

I'll most likely get some weights at my apartment and carry on doing the push ups (fast ones) to keep up the anaerobic exercise
 
@Juicyj Thanks juicy my work is pretty intense marketing and they don't allow any allowances

the gyms in paris cost 60 quid a month! I may just try it for a month, my diabetes is so much better controlled when Im lifting weights!
 
There's also intermittent fasting as an available way of getting IS up again. See Jason Fung's blog. You reset your insulin thermostat, is the idea. Apart from that, it's the anaerobic ex.
 
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