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Newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes

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Uniquepikachu

Uniquepikachu

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Hello , my name is Laura I’ve been recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and wanted to know if anyone has any tips or tricks to help with decreasing sugar or how to maintain lower blood sugar levels

I’m 23 soon to be 24 ,I’m using levimir flexpen 10 units every morning and checking blood glucose levels 4 times a day ,I was diagnosed back in March ,I was having recurring uti and thrush and constantly exhausted and thirsty and I also lost weight pretty quickly so I had hba1c test done showed that i had diabetes and then had antibody test for Type one and showed it
 
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Welcome to the forum @Uniquepikachu .
Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but very pleased that you have found us.

If you are happy to do so it will help us tailor our answer if you can tell us a little about how
you were diagnosed and what insulins you are using.

It is a lot to take in at the start, BUT it definitely does get easier. Life needs to be a little bit organised but your diagnosis does not need to stop you doing things at all. there are two books which I have found very useful since my diagnosis
Think Like a Pancreas by Gary Sheiner
Type 1 Diabetes in Children, adolescents and young Adults by Ragnar Hanas. Ignore the age reference. I was diagnosed at the age of 53, but T1 is T1, and I just ignored the bits about going to school and getting pregnant.

I suspect that you might have quite a few questions as you go along. Just fire away. Nothing is considered silly on here.
There is a lot of experience to draw on from people who 'get it' and will indeed have tips.

My tops ones are:

Carry your hypo treatment wherever you go. For me that is Jelly Babies.
Easy to carry in a bag and takes up less room than juice. I also have stashes in many places around the house and by the bed. It saves thinking about where they are or having to remember to take them up with you at night.

Remember that perfection is impossible
Your team will work with you to enable you to adjust your own insulin doses to match whatever you want to eat, when you want to eat. This will take to time to work out and it will take time for things to settle. There are lots of things that will impact your levels and we cant always manage these. All each of us does is the best that we can, and that will definitely not be perfect.

Stay in touch with others.
I have learnt most of my practical strategies for managing my T1 from others on here. They also keep me up to date with the latest developments, and if I really need a good rant this is a good place. People will get it.

You are at the start of this journey, and you will need to be patient at the start as things settle. The best analogy I was given is that it is like learning to drive. It seems complicated at the start but soon becomes automatic, and you are just dealing with the unexpected along the way.
 
I’m 23 soon to be 24 ,I’m using levimir flexpen 10 units every morning and checking blood glucose levels 4 times a day ,I was diagnosed back in March ,I was having recurring uti and thrush and constantly exhausted and thirsty and I also lost weight pretty quickly so I had hba1c test done showed that i had diabetes and then had antibody test for Type one and showed it

I’ve started carrying Glucose Tablets and also some gummy’s as I’ve had a few hypos lately.

thank you for getting in touch
 
So you are only on 10u Levemir once a day, no other insulin with meals and are still going hypo?
 
Welcome @Uniquepikachu 🙂 Carrying hypo treatments and having glucose tablets stashed around the house is crucial so you’re being very sensible.

What are your blood sugar levels like at the moment? Am I reading correctly that you’re only on Levemir? You don’t take a fast-acting insulin to cover your meals?

The two books recommended above are excellent and I second the recommendations. I’d also say that it makes it easier if you think of Type 1 as a job. You basically have to take over the job your pancreas used to do. That means having enough basal/background insulin to control your blood sugar in the absence of food (eg Levemir) and counting the carbs in what you’re about to eat so that you can take the right dose of bolus/fast insulin to deal with your food. Bolus/fast insulins are things like Novorapid, Humalog, and a number of others.

That’s what you’re trying to do, but perfection is impossible so your blood sugar targets are just that - something to aim for. You won’t get it right all the time - nobody does because it’s a hard job being a pancreas.

I’d also add - test lots, especially in the early days. This will show you what’s happening. I often do a blood test when I wake in the night. I also regularly test 2hrs after my meal (2hrs after the first bite) so I can see what’s going on and if I need to change anything. The annoying thing about Type 1 is that things change a lot. It would be much easier if we could just take a certain amount of insulin and forget about it. But lots of things can affect our blood sugar eg illness, hormones, etc etc and as I said above, what we eat.

If you’re having hypos, do speak to your team. You might find less Levemir and tiny amounts of Novorapid or another fast insulin for your meals works better. Levemir is a blunt and heavy tool to cover meals. That’s not what it’s for really.
 
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Yeah I’m still having hypos I had a hypo of 3 today and had some glucose tablets and re check bloods about 15 mins later and it was back up to 5 but I’m also thinking I’m coming down with a uti as I’m not feeling to well and having some symptoms of kidney infection/uti which has been going on and off a while
 
trophywench said:
So you are only on 10u Levemir once a day, no other insulin with meals and are still going hypo?
Click to expand...
No other insulin at the moment I’m going back to the diabetic specialist on the 24th may to see how my levels are doing
 
How frequently every day are you testing your BG?

I know they start people on conservative doses these days but have to say this sounds mega conservative so personally I wouldn't wish to comment particularly in this case - except to say that once you get your initial levels sorted out with the correct doses and correct timings of them - then it does get easier. It is never sorted out completely for ever though and always a matter of testing, reviewing the results and adjusting whatever you identify that needs adjusting - and the skills of doing those three things yourself without having to ask one of your team before you try doing whatever, gradually build up as you go along.

Anything at all you don't already know - ASK!
 
With UTIs I find my BG rises And levels become more difficult to manage. Often the raised BG is an early indicator of things brewing. Look on that as a bonus of having T1!

I suggest that you keep good records of your BGs prior to your next appointment. If you do continue to get hypos contact them before 24 May. This will help them to help you decide on any changes needed. Great that you have started on Levemir, as this is one of the more flexible background insulins.

If you feel up to the challenge you could start to count the carbs in each of your meals. As you are only on background insulin at present your pancreas is still producing some insulin to deal with meals. Eventually you will learn how to adjust your meal doses to match the carbs you choose to eat. It seems a lot to work out at the start but you will soon find that your a ‘carb expert’. I quickly learn the carbs on the most common biscuits offered at meetings!! This will put you in a good position for the future.

On the other hand you might feel that you have enough to deal with already. Just keep in touch and keep asking questions.
 
Thank you so much for the tips and I will definitely contact my specialist if I continue to get hypos
 
Sorry to hear about your diabetes diagnosis @Uniquepikachu

It is unusual for a T1 to only start on basal (background) insulin, and you seemed to be struggling with high BG levels (which can increase your chances of getting thrush and UTIs). But since you are also getting hypos it sounds like you need a specialist to cast an eye over your BG results, and work with you to help you spot patterns and plan what to do next.

What sort of advice have you been given about your diet? It might help to keep a food diary alongside your BG results, especially of you can note the approximate total carbs in your meals.
 
Diet wise really is too watch carb intake,cut sugar as much as I can also try drinking more watery drinks
 
You shouldn’t need to watch carbs (within reason) as a Type 1. I honestly think you’d be better off on less Levemir and tiny doses of a fast-actin insulin to deal with your meals. That’s the usual regime for Type 1. You might think ‘what’s the difference?’ but the proper distribution of your insulin needs between basal and bolus (fast/meal) can make a huge difference, both to hypos and to highs. Eg instead of having 10 units of the Levemir, you might do better on 6 units plus 1 or so units of a fast-acting insulin for your meals (note - those are only example figures to show what I mean, not recommendations). This could help you with your hypos.

You’re at least the third newly diagnosed Type 1 I’ve seen on this forum who has only been put on a basal insulin (Levemir) and I do wonder if it’s to do with the pandemic. Personally I think you’d find things easier with small amounts of both the Levemir and a fast/meal insulin like Novorapid or Humalog.
 
Thank you so much for the message I will definitely bring that up too my specialist ,I’m feeling pretty exhausted today as I’m fighting inflammation left over on my kidneys from kidney stones —- thank you for replying to my forum
 
You’re very welcome 🙂 I hope you feel better soon.
 
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