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Issues with night time blood sugar levels

A

ab1

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi,

I am hoping I am not the only one who has problems with night time sugar levels?! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

I have been a type 1 diabetic for 10 years now and up until March this year (2016), I have not had any issues with my insulin doses at night. I had been on Lantus with no problems. However, I started spiking in the night and so my insulin was changed to Levemir using a split dose. Unfortunately, I am yet to find the right night time dose for me...no matter my dose I am always waking up high (around 16-18mmols) without fail. However, recently I have started to drop drastically before I go to bed, usually dropping between 6-7mmols within an hour and struggle to get my sugars up again. It's making me nervous to go to bed, I hate the thought of dropping low in my sleep. I cannot get the balance right between not dropping or rising in the night. I am quite an anxious person anyway but is is making it a bit worse.

Does anybody have any tips or advice? I am running out of ideas on how to sort this.

Thank you!

Ab1
 
If you're splitting your levimer doses and your dropping before bedtime maybe try reducing the morning dose? Or your ratio with your evening meal?
 
samantha13 said:
If you're splitting your levimer doses and your dropping before bedtime maybe try reducing the morning dose? Or your ratio with your evening meal?
Click to expand...
I have tried reducing my teatime dose and it doesn't seem to have worked. I've not tried reducing my morning so I may give this a go!

Thank you for your response, I just need advice as I've run out of ideas!
 
hey @ab1
welcome to the forum

there are a few things that seem like they need looking at
first would be to do some basal testing -- link here https://mysugr.com/basal-rate-testing/

if your basal is correct your BG's should normally stay fairly level over the course of 24 hours.
as you say this is not the case -- basal testing would be my starting point

is your routine pretty much stable ( work mon - fri 8:30 - 5pm )
if your work routine is not stable this could be adding to your BG issues as changing routines can change stress levels and therefore insulin needs within a week.

are you carb counting ?? are you confident of your Insulin to Carb ratios ??
this is another area that could possible need looking at

I realise you have been D for 10 years -- but it might be worth buying the book -- Think Like A pancreas -- this could help you to have a re-think on your management

finally -- thanks for joining us here -- glad to have you "on the team " -- do keep posting -- hopefully we will get you the support you need !!
all the best !!
 
Hi @himtoo

Thank you for your response- it's great to be on here finally and have people to talk to about this

I tend to test throughout the night anyway as I have become restless with worrying about it. I tend to find my BG drops up until around 4ish.

I am at university and have had a lot of stress recently which may be a factor but I think I need to read up on the exact effects stress has on my sugars. The drop I get tends to be random and very sudden, could stress be a reason for this?

Thank you for the recommendation- I will look into that!
 
Hi @ab1
slightly delicate answer now -- there could also be some female hormonal issues at work too -- ( I have no experience with these )
am tagging @Juicyj for her support ( might be tomorrow for her reply )
 

If matters don't improve with the levemir ask your diabetes team if you can change basals, some members here use Tresiba with great results and it lasts up to 42 hours (but you still take a once daily dose).
 
Hey @ab1 I would definately recommend Tresiba, it's a flat profile so will carry you through the night no problems, it's recommended for people who suffer night time hypos because of this. Give your DSN a call when you can and ask to be changed, I used it before my pump and based n what you have said it would work brilliantly for you
 
Hi,

Thank you for the advice, I will talk to my DSN about this next week when I see them! Sounds like it should (hopefully) work!

Thanks again,

Ab1
 
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