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Type 1: Testing during the night

MelissaC

Well-Known Member
Hi all

Just after some advice please. I don't usually test during the night, but I'm beginning to think it might be a good idea to help with my battle to bring my hba1c down! It's currently at 61 - I'm carb counting and testing lots throughout the day but I'm beginning to get a bit upset that I can't achieve a better number. I read that lots of you test during the night, around 3am, which I think I might start doing. I just wondered, if you tested and your sugars were high that night would you inject some fast acting insulin straight away to correct the high? I know that sounds really dumb and that the answer is most likely yes but as I haven't done it before I'm just seeing what others do! I understand that if after a few nights of testing my sugars are always high then I probably need to adjust my basal rate.

Thanks in advance
 
When I night test I test around 2/2.30am usually, but more often if I think there's a problem.

If I got a high, I would decide whether to correct based on just how high it was. I then aim for a higher final BS than I would do during the day just to be safe.

In general, to get your Hba1c down, takes a lot of work day in day out. Test lots and correct when necessary. Pre and during pregnancy I corrected more often because my target range was narrower. I'm on a pump so can do tiny corrections.
 
Have you done a basal test? Do you wake up with sugars higher than what you went to bed with? Your basal is supposed to keep you flat. Do basal testing to see what's going on overnight.

I don't plan to test overnight, but if I wake up in the night and test with high blood sugar I will do a correction bolus.
 
Hi @azure

Thanks for the reply. I've been told in the past to inject one unit of insulin to bring my sugars down 3 units which I find helps generally. I test before meals and 2 hours after, before bed and also any other times I feel necessary such as feeling low or sick.

I think I'm just finding it stressful at the moment because I'm wanting to start trying for a baby but obviously my sugars aren't quite 'there' yet even though my consultant seems to think I'm doing well. Maybe the pump would be the way forward but I'm happy injecting for now.

 
Hi @catapillar

No I've not done a basal test before. Yes sometimes I wake up with sugars higher than when I went to bed, so I thought it'd be a good idea to start testing during the night.

Thanks for the help x
 
Have you thought about a freestyle libre or other cgm? That would show you the pattern through the night without lots of finger pricking. Might be worth talking to dsn mine arranged a free trial that gave two weeks data believe some can lend out cgm too. Good luck with it
 
@col101 I've heard about them and how good they are, just don't think I could afford it to be honest at the moment. I'll chat to my dsn and see what she says, thanks
 
MelissaC said:
Hi @catapillar

No I've not done a basal test before. Yes sometimes I wake up with sugars higher than when I went to bed, so I thought it'd be a good idea to start testing during the night.

Thanks for the help x
Click to expand...

Here's some info on how to do a basal test - https://mysugr.com/basal-rate-testing/

Once your confident your basal dose is right you shouldn't need to routinely test in the middle of the night, unless you know there's something weird going on (like a pizza effect meal or a correction dose before bed).
 
MelissaC said:
@col101 I've heard about them and how good they are, just don't think I could afford it to be honest at the moment. I'll chat to my dsn and see what she says, thanks
Click to expand...
Yes they are expensive around £50 a fortnight when you take the vat off. Some folk take the free trial then only buy a sensor say to basal test or if changing eating habits etc
Wish you all the best, I know the frustration of trying to get it"right"
 
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