Insulin sensitivity

[Mad76]

Hi all
Quick question
How do I work out how much a unit of insulin drops my blood glucose levels ? Is it as easy as when I wake up.in morning checking level. Then taking a unit of insulin. Having no food then checking after a set amount of time ??

I'd appreciate some guidance as I usually just estimate but think it would be better to be more accurate now.

Thanks

 

[ert]

Hi all
Quick question
How do I work out how much a unit of insulin drops my blood glucose levels ? Is it as easy as when I wake up.in morning checking level. Then taking a unit of insulin. Having no food then checking after a set amount of time ??

I'd appreciate some guidance as I usually just estimate but think it would be better to be more accurate now.

Thanks

Isn't that something your consultant should work out for you? You can download an insulin sensitivity calculator here to have something to discuss with your diabetes team. https://www.dtu.ox.ac.uk/homacalculator/ I have to use the formula because my c-peptide is extremely low and outside the range taken by the calculator.
I find it isn't an exact answer for 1 unit as it depends on so many other variables. I use a rough 0.8 mmol/l for 1 unit, but that can double if I'm active, or close to 6 mmol/l already, if I inject into my outer thigh, have caffeine in my system etc, etc, etc.

 

[Mad76]

Isn't that something your consultant should work out for you? You can download an insulin sensitivity calculator here to have something to discuss with your diabetes team. https://www.dtu.ox.ac.uk/homacalculator/ I have to use the formula because my c-peptide is extremely low and outside the range taken by the calculator.
I find it isn't an exact answer for 1 unit as it depends on so many other variables. I use a rough 0.8 mmol/l for 1 unit, but that can double if I'm active, or close to 6 mmol/l already, if I inject into my outer thigh, have caffeine in my system etc, etc, etc.

Not sure, I have my first consultant appointment in a few weeks so I guess maybe she'll do it for me then?
Thanks

 

[Marie 2]

There's not a clear cut answer, your diabetes team can give you a starting point. Like @ert says It depends on your sensitivity, what you are going to be doing, for me it depends on if it's morning or night,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A book that's helpful to learn about insulin is think like a pancreas by gary scheiner.

 

[Mad76]

There's not a clear cut answer, your diabetes team can give you a starting point. Like @ert says It depends on your sensitivity, what you are going to be doing, for me it depends on if it's morning or night,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

A book that's helpful to learn about insulin is think like a pancreas by gary scheiner.

Thanks, yes I've read this book. It shows a couple of ways of working it out. But I wasn't sure if they would work for me as I'm.still in my honeymoon phase

 

[Marie 2]

The honeymoon phase makes everything a little harder to figure it out. And then it will change! I would call your team for a starting point. This is a pretty constant learning curve for you right now.

 

[Type1_of_a_Kind]

There are so many variables and no exact answer. Depends on the carb quantity and Glycemic Index of the foods you eat. How much basal insulin you have. How much you exercise (I find it really really helps).

Its so much trial and error. Remember that "what gets measured, gets managed ". Weigh your food and take logs of activity, quantity and types of food. Then look for patterns. All the best.