High blood sugar

[Lottiegrace]

Hi! I was diagnosed with type 1 a few days ago now but I cannot get my blood sugars below 10, no matter how hard I try (tried exercising, a bit more insulin). I wasn’t told how to carb count or anything like that in hospital, I’m supposed to be learning in the next few weeks. Is there anything I can do to bring them way down?! (last time I tested I was 24!!)

 

[Kaylz]

All the advice we can give is to call 111

We can't give dosing advice and the only thing that will bring it down is insulin, getting your levels down quick when diagnosed is not the best approach to take as that can cause damage (been there, done that, got the t-shirt) so slow and steady, it's a marathon not a sprint

Have you checked for ketones with levels that high? xx

 

[Lottiegrace]

Hi!
Yeah tested for ketones and they’re 0.1 so nothings going on there. I have horrible anxiety when it comes to things like this so maybe I’m overthinking it too much, I just want my levels to come down x

 

[Kaylz]

I was the same and ended up with 2 related eye conditions both requiring treatment so it really is better to take things slowly and let your body adjust gradually and your diabetes team should be making you aware of that too

Give 111 a call and they should arrange a call back from a doctor who will be able to advise on a dose xx

 

[Lottiegrace]

Thank you so much xx

 

[SB2015]

Welcome to the forum @Lottiegrace .

Sorry to read about your diagnosis, but pleased that you have found the forum. Try to be patient and allow your team to work with you to bring your levels down gradually. Your body before diagnosis will have been used to very high glucose levels, and your body needs to adjust gradually as @Kaylz has said.

Weirdly doing intense exercise can raise your glucose levels so don’t worry if that is not working at present.

What targets have you been given at present? If you are constantly above 10 at present you could contact your team and talk to them about changing your insulin doses. Which insulins are you using?

Another tool that you might want to ask them about is having half unit pens. In the early stages I found I needed very low doses of insulin and once you are carb counting and making decisions about the doses it is good to be able to work with half units. These used to be just for children (so mine came with nice stickers) and also in different colours.

Whatever questions arise for you know that there is a wealth of experience to tap into on here and no questions are considered silly.

 

[Inka]

Hi! I was diagnosed with type 1 a few days ago now but I cannot get my blood sugars below 10, no matter how hard I try (tried exercising, a bit more insulin). I wasn’t told how to carb count or anything like that in hospital, I’m supposed to be learning in the next few weeks. Is there anything I can do to bring them way down?! (last time I tested I was 24!!)

Don’t panic @Lottiegrace When I was first diagnosed my sugars stayed around 12-16 early on. It takes your team a while to sort your insulin doses, and also they err on the side of caution to make sure you don’t have a hypo.

However, you’re very sensible to test for ketones. Have you spoken to your team to let them know your sugars? If you’re high teens or in the 20s, I’d let them know.

 

[Lottiegrace]

Welcome to the forum @Lottiegrace .

Sorry to read about your diagnosis, but pleased that you have found the forum. Try to be patient and allow your team to work with you to bring your levels down gradually. Your body before diagnosis will have been used to very high glucose levels, and your body needs to adjust gradually as @Kaylz has said.

Weirdly doing intense exercise can raise your glucose levels so don’t worry if that is not working at present.

What targets have you been given at present? If you are constantly above 10 at present you could contact your team and talk to them about changing your insulin doses. Which insulins are you using?

Another tool that you might want to ask them about is having half unit pens. In the early stages I found I needed very low doses of insulin and once you are carb counting and making decisions about the doses it is good to be able to work with half units. These used to be just for children (so mine came with nice stickers) and also in different colours.

Whatever questions arise for you know that there is a wealth of experience to tap into on here and no questions are considered silly.

Hi!
Thanks for your advice, I haven’t been given any targets so not sure what levels I should be between.

 

[Lottiegrace]

Don’t panic @Lottiegrace When I was first diagnosed my sugars stayed around 12-16 early on. It takes your team a while to sort your insulin doses, and also they err on the side of caution to make sure you don’t have a hypo.

However, you’re very sensible to test for ketones. Have you spoken to your team to let them know your sugars? If you’re high teens or in the 20s, I’d let them know.

Hi!
The only problem I’m having is that they aren’t staying between 12-16 they are occasionally very high, yesterday reached 29. I’m not sure what team to speak to, I haven’t been told much that’s why it worries me

 

[Leadinglights]

Hi!
The only problem I’m having is that they aren’t staying between 12-16 they are occasionally very high, yesterday reached 29. I’m not sure what team to speak to, I haven’t been told much that’s why it worries me

I assume you are being looked after by the hospital specialist diabetic clinic, so it would be them you should speak to but if it is the GP then perhaps asking to be referred to the hospital would give you access to more specialist advice.

 

[Inka]

Hi!
The only problem I’m having is that they aren’t staying between 12-16 they are occasionally very high, yesterday reached 29. I’m not sure what team to speak to, I haven’t been told much that’s why it worries me

29 is too high. Your team will be the hospital team. If you phone the hospital where you were seen, and ask them to put you through to the Diabetes Dept or the DSNs, you should be able to speak to someone, or leave a message asking for a callback. Phone during work hours.

If you become unwell, phone your GP or 111 depending on the time of day.

What insulins do you take and when?