Hi All, I'm currently having problems managing my blood glucose levels. I have recently opted for and use the Freestyle Libre CGM and i am noticing some really weird patterns . This week for example i have had a no carb breakfast ( cheese and bacon 3 egg omelette) a mackerel fillet and salad for lunch and a steak with bell peppers and mushrooms for an evening meal . No snacks in between and only drink water and black tea. I have had the same meals for three days in a row and on day 1 my levels stayed consistent at 5.5 to 6.5 all day. The next day on the same meals my levels were 16.0 to 18.0 and today my levels were 12.0 to 13.8. I take 34 units of insulin twice per day at 7am and 18:00 pm plus the usual metformin. My question - does anyone else have swings like this on the same levels ?. I always eat low carb ( less than 30 gms) and stick to my meds like clockwork....
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Hi Forum, Im niot new to Diabetes but have joined to see how i can improve my situation and manage it better.
- Thread starter Dave B64
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Hi and welcome to the forum @Dave B64 ! That does sound really frustrating, especially when you're being so consistent with your meals, routine, and meds. It’s completely understandable to feel puzzled by those swings.
You're definitely not alone - lots of people using CGMs notice unexpected variability, even when everything seems “the same” on paper. Hormones, stress, sleep, hydration, illness, and even insulin absorption differences between injection sites can all have a surprisingly big impact, sometimes more than the food itself. Sometimes there's no rationale behind it at all and it's just a guessing game whether it's the stars doing it or the time of year.
Libre can also sometimes lag a bit or show small inaccuracies, especially during rapid changes, though that wouldn’t fully explain such a big swing.
Have you noticed whether your morning readings differ depending on the night before, or whether there's a pattern to your insulin peaks? Also, do you use long-acting (basal) insulin only, or is this mixed insulin with a fast-acting component? It might help to review things like timing or injection rotation too.
It could be worth logging a few days of CGM data, meals, and how you’re feeling physically, and sharing that with your DN or GP - sometimes they can spot trends we might miss. You’re clearly doing a great job staying on top of things, and I hope you get some clarity soon. You're not alone in this
You're definitely not alone - lots of people using CGMs notice unexpected variability, even when everything seems “the same” on paper. Hormones, stress, sleep, hydration, illness, and even insulin absorption differences between injection sites can all have a surprisingly big impact, sometimes more than the food itself. Sometimes there's no rationale behind it at all and it's just a guessing game whether it's the stars doing it or the time of year.
Libre can also sometimes lag a bit or show small inaccuracies, especially during rapid changes, though that wouldn’t fully explain such a big swing.
Have you noticed whether your morning readings differ depending on the night before, or whether there's a pattern to your insulin peaks? Also, do you use long-acting (basal) insulin only, or is this mixed insulin with a fast-acting component? It might help to review things like timing or injection rotation too.
It could be worth logging a few days of CGM data, meals, and how you’re feeling physically, and sharing that with your DN or GP - sometimes they can spot trends we might miss. You’re clearly doing a great job staying on top of things, and I hope you get some clarity soon. You're not alone in this
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Ugh! Sorry you seem to have had a duff sensor @Dave B64
Diabetes is hard enough to manage on its own, without getting misleading information about your levels!
Having said that as @Ieva DUK says there are plenty of things that can cause different results even if you try you hardest to reduce the number of variables. There’s a list of 42 possibilities here:
So don’t be surprised if your CGM shows you some unexpected results, even when you are sticking to the same meals, and taking your meds carefully. They aren’t all that unlikely.
My first thought on reading your post was injection sites. After a while of insulin use you can end up with some dodgy spots where the insulin doesn’t absorb properly, or just seems to go missing entirely - and occasionally then re-appears much later giving you the double frustration of massive highs one time, then unexpected lows another when the insulin finally breaks free. 😱
Hope things are a bit more settled for you over coming weeks, and if that sensor really is playing up, give Abbott a call and they’ll most likely replace it for you. 🙂
Diabetes is hard enough to manage on its own, without getting misleading information about your levels!
Having said that as @Ieva DUK says there are plenty of things that can cause different results even if you try you hardest to reduce the number of variables. There’s a list of 42 possibilities here:
A useful list for when you're making that 'piece of cake' calculation 🙂
ETA: Article about the table:
https://diatribe.org/42factors
ETA: Article about the table:
https://diatribe.org/42factors
So don’t be surprised if your CGM shows you some unexpected results, even when you are sticking to the same meals, and taking your meds carefully. They aren’t all that unlikely.
My first thought on reading your post was injection sites. After a while of insulin use you can end up with some dodgy spots where the insulin doesn’t absorb properly, or just seems to go missing entirely - and occasionally then re-appears much later giving you the double frustration of massive highs one time, then unexpected lows another when the insulin finally breaks free. 😱
Hope things are a bit more settled for you over coming weeks, and if that sensor really is playing up, give Abbott a call and they’ll most likely replace it for you. 🙂