No hypo's ! Ever !

[mo1905]

I finished my DAFNE course today which was great, learned a lot. My question though concerns hypo's, or lack off. I found it most odd that others on the course swung from very high BG levels to below 4's within a few hours or so. I have had T1 for about a year now and have never had a hypo ! I dipped below 4 once ( 3.8 I think ) but felt fine. I very rarely go high and never go low. We had a lesson on alcohol and the nurses said this often leads to a big drop in BG levels but I drink regularly and again, this has never happened to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining but I just wondered if anyone else is the same boat or can explain this ? Every day we had to go through our individual readings and mine were just flat, boring even. The docs don't think I'm in honeymoon period as I am very stable taking 1 unit per 10g of carbs. I feel like a diabetic fraud lol ! Some days I even wish I would have a little hypo, just to see what it feels like ! Crazy eh !
Mo

 

[ElyDave]

I reckon you were making those numbers up.

Can't get flatter than mine today though with pre-breakfast, post breakfast and pre-ride home all at 5.3.

I thought some of those swings were extreme too, and I've never seen anything like that myself. Was a good course though, I'll be trying to get my basal down further, as my insulin feeding has been going crazy.

 

[Patch13]

I would have said the honeymoon period, but you've ruled that out so I've no idea! I would be interested to hear if anyone else has any explanations as to what is happening though.

Definitely enjoy not having hypos whilst you aren't - they aren't good

Alcohol usually makes my BS high on the night I drink it (depending on how much I have and what I am drinking) and then continually crash the next day (and I mean pretty much all day).

 

[mo1905]

Well, they said no honeymoon phase but I guess there is no certainty. It's just that I am on fairly consistent insulin that makes them say that. I just can't believe it's this easy lol ! I pretty much eat and drink what I want too. Dave can drop pretty quick during exercise but I can jump on a rower for 90mins and need no adjustment either. Strange !


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[iHs]

Dont talk too soon Mo...... you may now find yourself starting to feel the hypo sensation.............

Seriously, what might be having some influence on your bg levels is the fact that you also take metformin and so probably dont need too much in the way of injected insulin ???

 

[ElyDave]

So for me today on the way home

Test at 5.3, eat 40g of low GI carbs, one hour later test at 5.6.

Set off home - 25 mins later test at 8.0
30 mins later 30 g high GI carbs
15 mins later test at 6.3, another 20g high GI carb
20 mins later get home, test at 6.3 at about 3:15

90 mins activity, 90g carbs, then lunch of 45g
7pm, feeling fuzzy, test 4.0, another 15g

This evening - out to dinner 7.5 pre dinner, 4.8 afterwards. Extra mince pies prescribed, and that's with both reduced bolus and basal.

 

[mo1905]

You dropped your basal again Dave ? I'm pretty sure you must still be honeymooning but your activity seems to certainly help with your insulin sensitivity.
As for myself, still plodding. If the metformin helps this much, why isn't everyone on it lol ! The thing I find about honeymoon period etc is I would have thought you'd have MORE hypo's. ? You inject insulin and pancreas still producing ! Odd ! I actually take a reasonable amount of insulin, ratio of 1 unit to 10g of carbs.


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[Patch13]

You dropped your basal again Dave ? I'm pretty sure you must still be honeymooning but your activity seems to certainly help with your insulin sensitivity.
As for myself, still plodding. If the metformin helps this much, why isn't everyone on it lol ! The thing I find about honeymoon period etc is I would have thought you'd have MORE hypo's. ? You inject insulin and pancreas still producing ! Odd ! I actually take a reasonable amount of insulin, ratio of 1 unit to 10g of carbs.


I don't remember having more hypos in the honeymoon phase - although it was so long ago I barely remember it!!

Exercise definitely helps with decreasing the amount of insulin I need (although the type of exercise also affects this too).

Why do you take metformin? I was under the impression only type 2s take this. If that is the reason for your flat sugar levels then I want some too!

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[mo1905]

The doc said it helps with insulin sensitivity. In fact, another T1 of 30yrs on our DAFNE this week on large doses of insulin ( 3units to 10 g. ) has been advised to try metformin as well. !


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[mo1905]

Do you know why honeymooners don't hypo Patch ? Injected insulin and your own trickling out would suggest big drops I would have thought ?


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[noblehead]

It does seem strange that you don't experience hypo's Mo yet have excellent bg control, hypo's are normally a necessary evil when injecting insulin although they can be controlled somewhat with careful bg management.

When I was first diagnosed they wouldn't let me go home until I'd had a full blown hypo, still remember it to this day where they induced it by taking insulin and not eating

 

[mo1905]

It does seem strange that you don't experience hypo's Mo yet have excellent bg control, hypo's are normally a necessary evil when injecting insulin although they can be controlled somewhat with careful bg management.

When I was first diagnosed they wouldn't let me go home until I'd had a full blown hypo, still remember it to this day where they induced it by taking insulin and not eating

I heard this used to happen, controlled hypo's, must have been very scary. I once had a specialist advise me to do the same ( for LGV license ) but my own doc said no. As for my excellent control, I think it's just luck to be honest. My HbA1C is 42 but I still eat pretty much the same as before diagnosis and I drink beer probably twice a week ! I just can't understand it.

 

[noblehead]

I heard this used to happen, controlled hypo's, must have been very scary. I once had a specialist advise me to do the same ( for LGV license ) but my own doc said no.

I'm very surprised your doc said no, I would have thought it would be a prerequisite if you are applying for a LGV but I suppose they don't ask that on the application form.

The controlled hypo on reflection was scary but a good thing just the same, it's reassuring to know that you had your first one under the care of the hospital team.

 

[Patch13]

No I'm afraid I don't. It was just a suggestion. Maybe someone with more scientific knowledge can suggest why your levels are so good. All I can say is I hope it stays that way for you!

 

[mrman]

This is good mo. Only thing I could possibly suggest is your body is working like that of a non diabetic in the fact it is recognizing a drop, and your liver is able to supply enough glucose quick enough to prevent a hypo. Maybe because its having enough of its own insulin being produced to do so. When relying alot on injected insulin the body has alot of trouble recognising a drop as its being done all artificially. Could be the metformin helping a bit also. Long may may it continue

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[mo1905]

This is good mo. Only thing I could possibly suggest is your body is working like that of a non diabetic in the fact it is recognizing a drop, and your liver is able to supply enough glucose quick enough to prevent a hypo. Maybe because its having enough of its own insulin being produced to do so. When relying alot on injected insulin the body has alot of trouble recognising a drop as its being done all artificially. Could be the metformin helping a bit also. Long may may it continue

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Thanks Brett, that does make sense ! I'll need to keep drinking all my beer rations up now before things change lol !

 

[mrman]

Haha, could be the beer keep it up lol

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[iHs]

This is good mo. Only thing I could possibly suggest is your body is working like that of a non diabetic in the fact it is recognizing a drop, and your liver is able to supply enough glucose quick enough to prevent a hypo. Maybe because its having enough of its own insulin being produced to do so. When relying alot on injected insulin the body has alot of trouble recognising a drop as its being done all artificially. Could be the metformin helping a bit also. Long may may it continue

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Lots of diabetics will find after they have been insulin dependant for a few years, (type 1 with diminished or nil beta cell function) that the alpha cells responsible for releasing Glucagon, also diminish, so the liver doesn't release glucose unless food or glucose is eaten to deal with low bg levels and if that is not possible, Glucagon given by injection prompts the liver to find some glucose.

Easier though to deal with low bg levels using food or glucose (gel) and is much cheaper and just as quick.

 

[iHs]

My advice Mo... is that you have a go at making yourself feel what its like when bg levels start to fall. The hypo effect that happens when we sit down concentrating on what we are doing, is different to walking about etc..

If you can afford it... think about getting cgm.

 

[mo1905]

Thanks iHS ( wish you had a name lol ), interesting and good advice ! Not read anything about the alpha cells reducing too !