Do I need to adjust my basal insulin?

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sg295

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Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hi all!

Just fairly recently over the last few days I have been waking up a bit higher than usual (generally 7s or higher) when my target is to stay in the 5s/6s.

I have been on the same amount of basal for a while and I’m only on a very tiny amount! This has worked well for ages but I’m just wondering now whether to increase it slightly?

Only issue is, my pen doesn’t do half units so I can only increase by 1 whole unit and I’m afraid this will be a bit too much (I’m rather insulin sensitive!)

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thank you 🙂
 
You could ask your DSN for a half unit pen? Which basal insulin do you use?
 
The pens you have at the minute are they both whole unit? For NovoRapid you can get a Novopen Echo which is half unit and has a memory of how much insulin you inject and for Lantus you can get the Sanofi Juniorstar.(Ignore the junior bit )
 
Lily123 said:
The pens you have at the minute are they both whole unit? For NovoRapid you can get a Novopen Echo which is half unit and has a memory of how much insulin you inject and for Lantus you can get the Sanofi Juniorstar.(Ignore the junior bit )
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They are yes, the smallest amount they both do is 1 unit currently and sometimes I feel like I could do with half units! Like for the basal I feel like it may need just a slight increase and for the novorapid it sometimes tells me I need say 4.5 units and I can’t do that so I round it to 4 to avoid going low and it isn’t always enough!

Ok that sounds ideal thank you, might talk to my team about it then
 
No 'might' about it - you absolutely NEED to!
 
Hi there I completely appreciate why you would be asking this.

We would advise getting in touch with your Diabetes Specialist Nurse to see what arrangements they can make for yourself. If you are unable to, then it might be appropriate to contact your GP or the 111 service.

We would strongly advise you not to make any adjustments to your dosage unless stated by your DSN.
 
Dominic DUK said:
We would strongly advise you not to make any adjustments to your dosage unless stated by your DSN.
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May I ask why you would strongly advise this? Is it because @sg295 is relatively new to diabetes? Really people with T1 need to be able to adjust their own doses and manage their own condition.
 
Pattidevans said:
May I ask why you would strongly advise this? Is it because @sg295 is relatively new to diabetes? Really people with T1 need to be able to adjust their own doses and manage their own condition.
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Hi there 🙂 we completely agree that those who are prescribed Insulin should know how to effectively adjust their dosage if appropriate. However, we believe that the adjustments they are making should be in line with the advice given by their Diabetes Specialist. If anyone has any doubts about adjusting their dosage, we would advise them to speak to their DSN.

I hope this offers some clarity 🙂
 
@Dominic DUK I agree with you that any adjustments should be in line with the guidance from a specialist diabetes nurse or endocrinologist. Therefore, I was surprised you also suggested GP or 111 service. I would be very surprised if they were able to advise on insulin dosage unless the GP has been involved with the diabetes care.
 
Over the last few years I'd have been lucky to get a call back from any DSN. My last DSN wasn't even pump trained. I'm afraid I manage my diabetes, no one else. I'd be in a royal mess if I wasn't confident to adjust my own doses. However, I wouldn't advise it be done irresponsibly, or if a person was unsure due to being newly diagnosed.
 
Dominic DUK said:
We would strongly advise you not to make any adjustments to your dosage unless stated by your DSN
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I too find that advice a bit patronizing and would only recommend that for someone who is very newly diagnosed.

There are many occasions when I am pretty sure a DSN would disapprove of how I adjust my doses but I know how my body responds far better than a DSN or consultant. If my results are poor then I am open to criticism but my TIR is good because I have experimented with my insulin and learned how best to use it for my body and lifestyle..... always accepting that there is room for improvement. My basal doses sometimes need adjusting every night depending on the level or exercise and activity I have done and at other times will be stable for weeks or months. There is no way I would be able to authorize such adjustments with a DSN or doctor on such a frequent basis and I would not consider taking advice from a GP or doctor from 111 who has no knowledge of me or my diabetes. To me that could potentially be dangerous.
 
As a relatively new diabetic the only way I have become to understand what works best is with adjustments. Just make sure to give it three to five days to see if the adjustment has worked and don’t be to impatient.
 
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