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Levels always low and regular hypos

J

JonD_44

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all,

I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes 8 weeks ago and was wondering if anyone could give me advice on Hypos.

I went into hospital with BG levels of 26, however since being out of hospital and getting my levels down I struggle to keep them from dropping below 4.

So far keeping them under 7 has been surprisingly easy...Even eating chocolate doesn't really send my levels high they're almost always below 7 within the hour

My nurse has changed it so I take 1 unit of Novorapid per 20g carbs because she thinks I'm either very sensitive to insulin or it's the honey moon period, but even that sometimes sends me into a hypo.

I've read exercise keeps BG levels down and I must admit I'm a bit of a gym freak (5 times a week minimum),could this be why they're always so low/giving me hypos?

Thanks
 
I am a type II and not insulin supported. However, I have many friends who are insulin supported and they all tell me that learning how to medicate was very difficult. They vary their dosage based on circumstances. Now they have been at it for years and know when and how much to take to keep their glucose levels balanced. So perhaps with experience you too will learn how to balance your medication based on your life style. I do know that one size does not fit all as each of them have different regimens.
 
Hi, what is your basal dose? It might be worth looking to lower that if you are at 4 most of the time. Also if you are planning on excercising lowering the bolus by up to 50% for the meal before helps as does a small carby snack just before hitting the gym. Knowing your level before excercise helps too, I know I'll hypo of I'm 6 or below when I go in.
 
You sound nearly identical to me.

When I was first diagnosed my insulin:carb ratio was generally around 1:30. Like you, I'm an avid gym goer. As we know, exercise increases insulin sensitivity and there were times when my i:c ratio was as little as 1:50g.

If you haven't already, I'd look into getting a Novrapid/Novolog Echo pen because they can inject in .5 units. There were times I had to avoid injections because 1 unit was too much (crazy I know).

Know that you're almost certainly in the honeymoon phase like I am. My insulin:carb ratio is still very high, but it still fluctuates significantly based on how soon I take it before/after working out.

My advice is to try to go to the gym as far after taking insulin as possible to avoid hypos. I go first thing in the morning and don't eat until after my workout. Otherwise, I run the risk of hypos if I take insulin and then go to the gym.
 
Hi. I think you may need to check your Basal amount as there's a hint that it may be too high. There are various ways of checking and adjusting but a very simple start is to check your blood first thing in the morning and if it's below 5 you may be taking too much. The target level my DN told me to go for was between 5-7mmol
 
Thank you all for your replies. It really means a lot to be able to turn to other people who know what you're going through.

Sorry to sound like an idiot, but what is a Basal dose? Is that like Levemir? I don't take any background insulin during the day, just 4 units of Levemir before bed which seems to work well. I wake up usually between 5-7mmol.

@TorqPenderloin that really helps mate, thank you. Generally the last 6 weeks of gym sessions have been fine and I haven't had an hypos during or after. I try to aim my levels above 5.5mmol before going and so far that seems to work.

It's mainly during the day I'm struggling. Sometimes 1:20 works yet other times I'll end up having a hypo an hour later or so, just really frustrating more than anything!

This is more of a general question to anyone who wishes to reply, but how often do you eat? My levels seem to drop quite a bit after 3 hours and if I leave it any longer I most of the time have a hypo. It was never really explained to me how often I should be eating so it would be good to hear what others do.
 
Hi, yes basal is your levemir. I eat every 6 hours (but that's what fits my family and wotk). If you are going low in three than your doses sound wrong to me. Can you try 1:30 and see how you go? I'm at 0.5:30 and went low a lot when initially advised to use a night ratio. Can you talk to your consultant or dsn?
 
sorry to hear you're having a lot of lows :( not fun. I am on basal and bolus MDI's as well. I am always having to adjust my basal dosage depending on whether or not I'm sick, etc. Lately that's been a lot. It sounds like you need to still work on your basal dosage to get that right. There's a good link on here about testing basal dosage... will edit with link in a minute when I find it. I generally eat every 4 hours on average. I have to readjust my diet again though as having to change texture of my foods and I find that impacts how often I eat as well. I wish you the best :)

Edit: here's the link.... http://www.salforddiabetescare.co.uk/index2.php?nav_id=1007
 
I eat about 6 times a day, roughly 2200-2400 calories, and ~35g of carbs
27 years old; 5'10"; 206.6lbs as of this morning; body fat somewhere in the 12-13% range

I generally eat several small (200-350 calories) meals every 2-3 hours throughout the morning and afternoon. Around 5pm, I then have a larger (400-500 calories) meal and then at around 8pm I have my biggest meal of the day (~800calories).

I hate going to bed hungry which is why most of my calories are consumed in the afternoon/evening.

Weight lifting is a 4 day split: shoulders/back, legs, arms, chest/abs
I generally do cardio on the other three days which consists of 45-75 minute runs depending on how I feel
 
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