Type 1 Is there any harm in injecting higher level of Insulin (Nova Rapid) to counter sugar intake?
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Engineer88
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hypo - coma - death? depending on mow much too much obviously.
why would you want to use too much insulin? and what do you mean by sugar intake?
why would you want to use too much insulin? and what do you mean by sugar intake?
Charles Robin
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Hi Jawad, welcome to the forum. Supposedly it sounds like a simple solution: Eat more sugar, and take more insulin to counteract it. However, unfortunately it is not nearly that simple.
Firstly, as you take more insulin, over time your body becomes resistant to it, so it loses it's effectiveness. (To begin with, type 2 diabetics actually produce a lot more insulin than non diabetics, but they are so insensitive to it that it has little effect on their blood sugars. This is why they take medication such as metformin, which increases their insulin sensitivity).
It is well known that insulin affects blood sugars. What is less well known is it's other functions in the body. Insulin is the hormone that allows the body to store fat. Constantly high levels of insulin in the body will most likely lead to weight gain.
The other thing that insulin has a big effect on is hunger levels. Again, the more insulin you take, the hungrier you are likely to be. I used to find I could go through a domino's pizza, top it off with half a tub of Ben and Jerry's, probably with some potato wedges on the side too, and not scratch the surface of my hunger.
The other obvious risk is of taking too much insulin, and having a hypo. Injected insulin does not work as quickly as insulin produced in non diabetics. What you would likely find by eating a load of sugar and giving yourself a load of insulin is this: You eat a giant chocolate bar, and give yourself a large dose of insulin. Before the injection can take effect, your blood sugars rise to dangerously high levels. Maybe you test a bit later, and worry that they have gone high, so you give yourself more insulin. Then, later on, your blood sugars crash, meaning you have another snack to combat the hypo. Low blood sugars make most people ravenous, so you will likely eat too much, and go high again. And the cycle continues. It's what some people call the diabetic roller coaster.
Firstly, as you take more insulin, over time your body becomes resistant to it, so it loses it's effectiveness. (To begin with, type 2 diabetics actually produce a lot more insulin than non diabetics, but they are so insensitive to it that it has little effect on their blood sugars. This is why they take medication such as metformin, which increases their insulin sensitivity).
It is well known that insulin affects blood sugars. What is less well known is it's other functions in the body. Insulin is the hormone that allows the body to store fat. Constantly high levels of insulin in the body will most likely lead to weight gain.
The other thing that insulin has a big effect on is hunger levels. Again, the more insulin you take, the hungrier you are likely to be. I used to find I could go through a domino's pizza, top it off with half a tub of Ben and Jerry's, probably with some potato wedges on the side too, and not scratch the surface of my hunger.
The other obvious risk is of taking too much insulin, and having a hypo. Injected insulin does not work as quickly as insulin produced in non diabetics. What you would likely find by eating a load of sugar and giving yourself a load of insulin is this: You eat a giant chocolate bar, and give yourself a large dose of insulin. Before the injection can take effect, your blood sugars rise to dangerously high levels. Maybe you test a bit later, and worry that they have gone high, so you give yourself more insulin. Then, later on, your blood sugars crash, meaning you have another snack to combat the hypo. Low blood sugars make most people ravenous, so you will likely eat too much, and go high again. And the cycle continues. It's what some people call the diabetic roller coaster.
ConradJ
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Hi Jawad786,
This is worrying: have you been given any education or information about living with your diabetes by your local health professionals? If so, did you attend?
If you don't understand the basics you are facing major problems, including potential early death. As a matter of urgency, you need to contact your GP or DSN (Diabetes Specialist Nurses) and ask to be put on a course. In the meantime, check out the main Diabetes.co.uk and Diabetes.org.uk websites for information about insulin use.
Diabetes is not a 'walk in the park', although such activity does improve control - unless, as Charles says, you're giving yourself incorrect doses of insulin.
Correction doses of insulin are initially recomended with the principle that 1 unit of insulin will reduce blood glucose levels by 3 mmols. This can vary, and should be assessed by a DSN. You have to bear in mind that quick acting insulin can have an effect up to 5 hours after injecting.
And yes, as mentioned above - TOO MUCH INSULIN CAN LEAD TO HYPOGLYCAEMIA !
And yes, as mentioned above - TOO MUCH INSULIN CAN LEAD TO HYPOGLYCAEMIA !
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Hi Jawad,
I've just been looking at your profile & we're born the same vintage year..!
What I can't tell is how long you have been diabetic..?
Though I can sort of understand the your idea behind the question.. It don't work like that I'm afraid..!!
The answers you are getting above I agree with fully.
Can you give a little background on where you are with your diagnosis/ training in diabetes control & stuff..? (Don't worry about trying to keep up with the jargon.)
This could help cut down on the "overwhelm" of advice if your new to this, concentrating on your specific concerns..?
I've just been looking at your profile & we're born the same vintage year..!
What I can't tell is how long you have been diabetic..?
Though I can sort of understand the your idea behind the question.. It don't work like that I'm afraid..!!
The answers you are getting above I agree with fully.
Can you give a little background on where you are with your diagnosis/ training in diabetes control & stuff..? (Don't worry about trying to keep up with the jargon.)
This could help cut down on the "overwhelm" of advice if your new to this, concentrating on your specific concerns..?
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