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Random high readings

R

rockin_plumber

Member
Messages
8
Hi,
We are getting the odd random high readings dont think it is a problem..
Just wanted your thoughts really...

Here is the latest before I ask my question..

Our son aged 7 was dignosed type 1 on 1st June 2011.

Treatment plan is as follows, our diabetic team have decided this is best so Joshua doesn't need an injection at school, and it seems to work well.

Finger test before breakfast, 4 units insulatard, 2 units, novorapid.
Mid-morning snack to compensate for insulatard
Finger test before lunch
Finger test before tea, 2 units novorapid
Finger test before bed, 2 units levimer

We are due at the diabetic clinic on the 30th August, but as far as we can see the odd high readings aren't really a problem.

We could probably adjust his injections or ring the diabetic team but as the highs are so random it doesn't seem that it will be any help.
This has been over the last 10 or so days with 1 random reading at varying times of the day, (but not every day) BG around 11-12,
yesterday all was fine with BG between 5-6,
then before tea today a random 14.5 popped up.

I have checked pens as instructed with 20 units in the needle cover and all ok, checked meter callibration and all ok.

Sorry about all that waffle but it may help :?

My question really is about this 'honeymoon period' they keep going on about at the clinic, where Joshua is still producing a bit of insulin himself, they say he is on about half the amount of insulin a child of his size would normally have, but eventually he will stop producing this insulin.

When this honeymoon period stops is it just a screeching halt, or is it stuttering, which is what I am putting these random highs down to.

What is anyone elses expreience of this??

Hope I didn't bore you too much :)
 
Hi,
At the start there is an element of trial and error to see what works. You are on the basal/bolus regime, where the basal is the back ground insulin and the bolus given when your sons eats or given to correct a high.

Have you been given any information on carb counting? This is where you match the insulin to the quantity of carbs eaten, so the novorapid would alter at each meal rather than being a fixed amount. If you are not carb counting then this may explain the odd high reading.

I would suggest you speak with your diabetic team about his doses. Hopefully they can give some information about carb counting and matching insulin to the food consumed.

In the meantime I can highly recommend the following book, it has some very useful information and is a great reference book - Type 1 Diabetes in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults: How to Become an Expert on Your Own Diabetes (Class Health) by Ragnar Hanas. it is quite expensive, but worth every penny.
 
I think the main reason there has not been any talk of carb counting is the fact that Joshua won't entertain injecting himself just yet, this is why he is on the insulatard that peaks around the time he has his lunch at school so there is no need for a lunchtime injection.
He is prefectly fine with us doing finger tests and injections so we will take that one step at a time.

We have been keeping carbs the same for each meal as we have been advised from the start, so his insulin should match his meals anyway.

Its just these random highs, and they are random, he was 14.5 before tea and probably at the bedtime test he will be around 6.
But another day he would be around 6 at tea and then still be around 6 at bedtime.
or be 6 at bedtime then for some reason be 11 before breakfast.

This is why I was wondering about thow the honeymoon period ends, whether it just stops or stutters to a stop....

I have downloaded that book as a PDF file but just havn't got round to reading it yet, so much to take in over the last few months, I think the visit to the clinic at the end of the month is about sick days and what to do... more information.
 
Yes, I do understand, there is such a lot to take in.

The honeymoon period can go on for some time, even years and for some people their insulin requirements slowly increase overtime and for some, their insulin just seems to stop and they suddenly need much bigger doses of insulin.

It is difficult to pin point the reason for the odd highs, but I will make a few suggestions.

Firstly when you inject, you will probably notice that there is always a little bit of insulin which drips out. Since your son is on such small doses, these drips can represent a large percentAge of the total dose and this slight change in the actual dose administered may be the reason for the unexplained highs. We believe this was certainly an issue when my kids were diagnosed as they too were on tiny amounts of insulin.

Secondly, activity levels, weather, illness and growth hormones to name but a few can also play a part in affecting blood glucose. Hopefull by keeping records, you may be able to work out the reasons for highs / lows

Honeymooning may also be a culprit here as the panceas would still be producing insulin as the beta cells are slowly being destroyed, the pancreas will be erratic.

It sounds like you are doing very well indeed and since these are only the odd readings it sounds like you shouldn't make any changes immediately. if you are testing regularly this will allow you to correct the highs with the novorapid, so you know that your sons blood although high at times would not be over a prolonged period.

Do have a look at that book. It has so much excellent information which will really help in the management of your son.
 
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