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Sudden drop in basal requirements

drahawkins_1973

drahawkins_1973

Well-Known Member
Messages
452
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all,
I've been taking tresiba for over a year now and find it a really good basal insulin. Weirdly over the last 10 days my sugars have been dropping and I've had to reduce my tresiba every day. I was taking 10 units but I'm now down to 3 units a day.
I've done nothing unusual and my bolus ratios haven't changed. Anyone experienced this sudden drop in basal before?
I'm managing it ok was just curious if anyone could think of reasons why?
Thanks
 
I've just had similar. Gone from 72 units/day combined doses of levemir to 52 units. But I've recently completed a danfe type course and been adjusting and tweaking quite a lot over the past 2 months.
 
Have you lost weight? (substantially)

Cold weather (in U.K.)?

More exercise than normal?
 
Ledzeptt said:
Have you lost weight? (substantially)

Cold weather (in U.K.)?

More exercise than normal?
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Nope, nothing unusual. No weight loss, typical U.K. weather, a bit unpredictable. Nothing different really. Not even new pens that could be super strength!!
 
Nothing so dramatic - I have ranged between 10.5 an 16 units depending on the season and background stress levels. Would love to only need 3u :)
 
robert72 said:
Nothing so dramatic - I have ranged between 10.5 an 16 units depending on the season and background stress levels. Would love to only need 3u :)
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I know, 3 units is bonkers isn't it. Haven't had to take so little since honeymooning years ago. It's a pain in the bum though being worried about dropping all the time, but my libre has been brilliant!!
There'll be no Christmas celebration chocolates left at the rate I've been going through them lately!!
 
catapillar said:
@drahawkins_1973 When was your last period? It could be something hormonal going on. It could be an illness developing. You could suddenly be more relaxed, or more stressed. The wind could have changed direction.
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I usually go high if I'm coming down with something and never had a drop like this before during the month. Must be the wind direction or maybe putting up the Christmas tree
 
I seem to be needing less at the moment too. Going to do my first drop tonight (should have done it sooner really) I always have a run of low readings before I come down with something. Also I think it's supposed to take 3 days for new doses to take effect so watch out for that creeping up on you if youve changed everyday. (although if it works for you great!)
 
A couple of things I would consider are whether you increased the heating in your environment ... turned the Central Heating a little more for example? I was only recently informed that the reason environmental temperature affects insulin requirements is it brings blood to the surface of the skin, therefore increasing the transfer of the insulin into your system. Additionally, if you are going low, and not correcting quick enough, your liver dumps glycogen, and therefore needs to recapture the spent sugars over the next day or two, reducing the insulin requirement.
 
I've recently dropped my basal too (14-16 units of Lantus back down to 11-12). Not sure if it's seasonal.
 
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