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unexplained high blood sugar-advice appreciated

B

baz2107

Active Member
Messages
32
Type of diabetes
Type 1
I have been T1 for 4 years, since first diagnosis (aged 29) I have always had pretty good control apart from when ill (Chest infections etc) my hba1c have always been good, in fact my last one they were slightly concerned it was too low at 43.

Typically I would take 2 units of Apidra with breakfast and lunch, between 4 and 6 units for tea (depending on carbs in meal) then 6 units of Lantus overnight. I would normally have a digestive biscuit between breakfast and lunch, and between lunch and tea, and never took insulin for these at it stopped me dropping too low

I went to Menorca for 11 nights on the 21/7 and typically I would lower my insulin due to the heat and the amount of walking and playing with my children I do. I did this taking 0 or 1 units at breakfast and lunch, and 1-3 units in the evening, then I would take 3 units of Lantus overnight. My levels were very good on holiday, an average of 5.09, my evening ones were slightly higher but I put this down to the couple of beers before bed!!

Last week when I got home and returned to work (desk based) I went back to my normal amounts of Apidra and Lantus, but my levels were higher (between 8 and 10) with a couple in their teens-therefore I took an extra unit with each meal and increased Lantus to 9. At the weekend my levels went back to normal, so I went back to normal insulin again.

However yesterday and today the units have shot up again, I was 8.8 this morning (having taken 9 units Lantus overnight-due to being higher yesterday) I took 3 units (Rather than my normal 3) had my normal breakfast of 2 slices of toast, my normal biscuit and have just tested at 12.2.

I feel absolutely fine in myself but I am just really frustrated as at the weekend I thought everything was returning back to normal and now I don't know what to do having already increased my insulin on several occasions, any advice would be appreciated
 
Hi @baz2107 :)

The first thing to do is change your insulin pen/cartridge/vials just in case it's degraded and become less effective.

My other thought is could your return to work be causing a certain level of stress that's giving you some highs?
 
azure said:
Hi @baz2107 :)

The first thing to do is change your insulin pen/cartridge/vials just in case it's degraded and become less effective.

My other thought is could your return to work be causing a certain level of stress that's giving you some highs?
Click to expand...

Hi Azure, really appreciate that thanks, I have changed my Apidra pen but not my Lantus so will do that tonight. I hadn't really thought about that at work, I have been really busy since I got back, I am sitting for a lot of the day, but thats always been the case and I try and move about as much as I can but hadn't really thought of the stress! I will try and chill out a bit :)
 
Hi @baz2107 , been t1 over 40 years now and learned not to get to worried about blips in what is generally good overall control. Controlling Bm is not an exact science and I've found that identical situations (time/bm/food/I units/exercise) can often lead to widely different bm results 2 hours later ! It's a complex game on the long run. Like azure mentions new cartridge to start with and see how the next few days pan out - don't panic yet! Good luck , John
 
Did you go abroad on holiday and was the pen stored in baggage rather than hand luggage? This can distort the insulin. X
 
In the game of T1D nothing is 'normal' - nothing stays the same for very long.

yes your insulin pen cartridges may have lost their potency, especially with the doses you use they're probably in the pen for quite some time, it may also be the stress of returning to work, it could also be the weather or the alignment of the planets and the direction of the wind! or a combination of all of those, what ever it is it is possibly the new norm for you. Keep testing and keep adjusting your doses to keep you within your target range.

just to note, you say you have a biscuit or two to keep you on the level between meals - which is fine if you're happy that way but it does suggest your basal dose might be a bit high, your basal should keep you on the straight and narrow if and when you don't eat. With the dosages you mention it might be worth enquiring about pens that do half unit measures as you may fine 8u or 9u might not be quite, and 10u too much but 9.5u just right - speak to your DSN
 
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