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Is my basal wrong?

J

joelcam

Well-Known Member
Messages
167
Hi,

I called my diabetic specialist today because I think my basal units may be wrong and suggested I do some basal testing but she said not to as I am doing well.

Why do I think my basal level is wrong?
My glucose levels 2 hrs after breakfast are usually between 4 and 5mmol
Then when I check before lunch, they are usually higher by about 1mmol. This tells me that something must be wrong

Why did my specialist tell me not to bother basal testing?
I do snack between breakfast and lunch, so she said that the rise is probably because of my snacking. Also the fact that I am pretty much always between 4 and 7mmol when I test means everything must be okay. (The only times I have gone over 7 is when my 'trial and error' approach has not worked when I have eaten something new for the first time).

What do you guys think?

I get the impression I am annoying the specialist as I am ringing her a few times every week but 1) That is her job and 2) It is my health and life at the end of the day so even if I am 'doing well' I always want to strive for better as going blind, losing limbs and getting kidney failure doesn't really appeal to me....therfore see no harm in basal testing anyway.

Last paragraph was just a rant as it p's me off when I am made to feel like I'm a pain in the neck just for not wanting to get ill!

Anyhow, what do you guys think?

JC
 
i think if your bloods are always between 4-7 then dont worry you are doing fine, what is your fasting first morning readings?
what was your last hba1c? :D
 
You might find that increasing your basal even by one unit could send you hypo! Do you split your dose or take it all together? What happens to your sugars later on in the day?
 
Thanks for both replies...

My first HBA1C was done only 10 weeks after diagnosis (was 35mmol on admission). The result was 6.6% which I am told is really good as it will include some weeks of being dangerously high.

My morning readings range from 3.9 - 5 but usually low 4's. In the evening I am usually about 4.5-5 before bed, so usually have small glass of milk and a Ryvita. (Again this is purelty guess work and may be wrong of me to do).

JC
 
It sounds to me that you are doing fine and I wouldn't change anything just yet.
 
Seems fine to me too
Ive moved over a month ago and its not going well at all, and me with an a1c of 5.3 last time :(

My basal seems to run out and I can jump 3mmol for no reason mid afternoon onwards, no matter if I had good Bg post lunch (which Ive not been having since moving over no matter what I do to correct or low carb )

If you are snacking then you will raise your bg even though most Nurses etc say you can take up to 10g carbs without bolus insulin - I disagree. Even low carb snacks raise your bg as protein still gets converted to glucose. Moreover, meter variation means that 1mmol might actually be 0. something difference. Most theorists say if you are within 1.7 of your previous reading then basal is fine

Dont worry
 
That's really interesting as I had a weird random thing happen tonight...

I had 6 units with tea (spag bol) then when I checked 2 hrs later I was 3.9 and was feeling edgy...I checked again instantly and was 3.8 so had a small plum and a ryvita to deal with hypo..

Then checked before training 2 hrs later again and I was 9.8!!! Really freaked me out.

Have just finished training and will check after my shower but no idea what it will be!

JC
 
Pasta is a slow releasing carb the best way to deal with pasta is, split the dose and have the other in say 2 hours.Our daughter loves pasta and we were having your problem until someone told me.Then i could i have kicked myself just didn't think so it solved her high nigthtime b/s
 
Thanks, will defo try that next time I eat pasta and see what happens..

Strange how everything I have learnt so far has been from the internet and not my specialists!!

JC
 
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