Alzibiff
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
.... behind John Walsh's instruction: "If your blood sugar falls more than 1.7mmo;/l during a basal test....Lower the basal rate at least 4 to 8 hours before the time at which the low occurred." ?
I am refering to the text in the "Pumping Insulin" book by John Walsh which has had great reviews on this and other forums. The "basal test" is when you measure BG levels on a regular basis (every hour for example), five hours or so after any food and insulin intake in order to gauge whether your basal insulin is appropriate. (Over the period of the test, you take no insulin, no food and aim for no more than a 1.7mmol/l change in your blood glucose level.
I would have thought that adjusting the basal rate, (down or up - the same advice applies), 4 to 8 hours prior to any low or high BG reading would be far too early and that 2 hours would be a more appropriate time. The duration of insulin action may well last 4-8 hours but isn't the insulin delivered 2 hours prior to any high or low likely to be of more significance? (During my basal tests I have always used the 2 hours figure).
It's just that John Walsh talks a lot of sense in his book and must have some justification for his 4 to 8 hours direction - I can't see this being out of date because newer and quicker acting insulins have come on the scene since his book was written.
Anyone any ideas?
Alan
I am refering to the text in the "Pumping Insulin" book by John Walsh which has had great reviews on this and other forums. The "basal test" is when you measure BG levels on a regular basis (every hour for example), five hours or so after any food and insulin intake in order to gauge whether your basal insulin is appropriate. (Over the period of the test, you take no insulin, no food and aim for no more than a 1.7mmol/l change in your blood glucose level.
I would have thought that adjusting the basal rate, (down or up - the same advice applies), 4 to 8 hours prior to any low or high BG reading would be far too early and that 2 hours would be a more appropriate time. The duration of insulin action may well last 4-8 hours but isn't the insulin delivered 2 hours prior to any high or low likely to be of more significance? (During my basal tests I have always used the 2 hours figure).
It's just that John Walsh talks a lot of sense in his book and must have some justification for his 4 to 8 hours direction - I can't see this being out of date because newer and quicker acting insulins have come on the scene since his book was written.
Anyone any ideas?
Alan
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