Carb counting help

[simonb1983]

Hi everyone, just joined here and looking for some guidance from you guys.

I have been T1 Diabetic for a few years now, and have stupidly been in a form of denial, taking insulin but never really doing checks on my blood sugar levels, mainly because I was scared of seeing high readings, which would upset and worry me, so I tended to just hide away from the truth.

Now I've changed and I'm facing up to my serious condition and have started to do carb counting by myself so I'm taking correct insulin dosages and not very rough guesstimates. I have also started a diary to keep track.

The question I need help with in regards to carb counting is this: I am on a basel/bolus regime and taking 1:10 insulin dosages. Now if I am going to eat something that is say 18.3, would I take 1 or 2 units of insulin? And if say 13.5?

Thanks,

Si

 

[Drummer]

I can't advise on the insulin, but I just wanted to congratulate you on your stepping up to the mark.
If you do underestimate, I know it is possible to correct later - I read a lot - but of course for that you do need to check.
You call it a serious condition - maybe change how you perceive the problem - it is to be taken seriously, but it is something to be managed and kept in control, something slightly inconvenient to be dealt with as is appropriate.

 

[Kaylz]

Hi and welcome 🙂

It would totally depend on your starting level as well but the first example I'd PERSONALLY take 2 and the second I'd take 1

What bolus are you on? If novorapid it would be worth chatting to your team/GP about using cartridges and then asking if they could give you a Novopen Echo, the Echo is capable of half unit increment dosing and can be very useful for the likes of the 13.5g meal if you are quite sensitive to carbs
xx

 

[trophywench]

Same as Kaylz - if over halfway round it up, if under halfway round it down. Did you know you can get half-unit pens now? Worth you asking for one for your fast acting insulin, now you're taking it seriously! - which is brill.

 

[Thebearcametoo]

Definitely talk to your team about your meter and your pen. The meter we use has an option to put in your carbs and then it tells you the bolus needed (with adjustments if you’re over target). And the pens with half units make it much easier to get your dose right.
Well done for taking the step to better control.

 

[TheClockworkDodo]

I would also advise asking for half unit pens, they make life much easier. I'd take 2 units of insulin for your first example and 1.5 units for the second, if my ratio were 1:10.