• Please Remember: Members are only permitted to share their own experiences. Members are not qualified to give medical advice. Additionally, everyone manages their health differently. Please be respectful of other people's opinions about their own diabetes management.
  • We seem to be having technical difficulties with new user accounts. If you are trying to register please check your Spam or Junk folder for your confirmation email. If you still haven't received a confirmation email, please reach out to our support inbox: support.forum@diabetes.org.uk

Reduction in Insulin doses

Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
J

Jeff H

New Member
Strange one this wondering if anyone has come across this before.
I am type1 and have been for about 20yrs.My Insulin doses have always been about 3 units Novorapid morning 6 units Novorapid lunch time 15 units Novorapid tea time and 21 units Levemir long acting Insulin before bed.
These doses have kept me well controlled with excellent HBA levels.As I do a lot of exercise I do vary my insulin but my doses are always around about what I have mentioned.
Over the last couple of months my BG levels have been on the low side.I now take 1 unit Novorapid morning 3 units lunchtime 9 units teatime and 12 units Levemir before bed.I am still having some lows during the day and waking BG in the region of 4.
I have not changed my exercise regime or my food intake.Anyone have any idea what is happening?

Waiting for the DSN to come back to me.
 
Hello and welcome to the forum @Jeff H.

If you don't feel ill over tired or can not right a hypo unless you empty the glucose container then I wouldn't worry about it.
Many people find that the weather plays a great part in the amount of insulin needed.

As the change has happened in the last couple of months (Lockdown ) have you been doing a lot more strenuous work at home rather than being at work?

If you are having lows which you need an awful lot of carbs to right and also feeling unwell in yourself perhaps ask for a cortisol test. Hope you find some answers.
 
There are many factors why your insulin ratios could have been reduced.
Have you lost weight? Are you still working? If not are you at home and doing more house things. Exercise comes in many factors even a little walk could reduce your blood glucose levels.
 
Have you lost weight? A small diference can make a large change in insulin need. You might consider your long acting insulin dose - it may need a little reduction too, This would make a difference to your short acting doses.
 
leonS said:
Have you lost weight? A small diference can make a large change in insulin need. You might consider your long acting insulin dose - it may need a little reduction too, This would make a difference to your short acting doses.
Click to expand...
If you look at Jeff's post again you will see he has reduced his long acting by almost half from what he was on. 🙂
 
Have you had a recent test for coeliac disease? A Type 1 friend had a number of strange hypos for no reason, then found out she’d developed coeliac disease. Always worth ruling out.

Apart from that, could it be the heat? I had a recent spell of being lower than normal when it was really hot.
 
Thanks all for your replies.As mentioned waiting for DSN advice.Did not consider the possibility of increased exercise due to virus restrictions giving me more time.I have always exercised a lot but this may have increased and also additional exercise at different times of day,sometimes in a hot garage.
Thanks again take care.
 
I fail to understand the comment “Be truthful,not the time to answer with what you think I want to hear”I’m 65 years of age and have had diabetes for a long time why would I not be truthful in my posts?
I will leave this one with my DSN.
 
Join club my friend.

Over last few months insulin usage has dropped fair bit, put it down to combination of heat exercise DIY, been more busy since lockdown, fair few hypos along way just like yourself.

I'm on pump so adjusted basal rates as well as meal bolus.
 
Jeff H said:
Thanks all for your replies.As mentioned waiting for DSN advice.Did not consider the possibility of increased exercise due to virus restrictions giving me more time.I have always exercised a lot but this may have increased and also additional exercise at different times of day,sometimes in a hot garage.
Thanks again take care.
Click to expand...
I have increased my exercise , what I didn’t realise until my DSN told me , was that the muscles continue to use up more sugar for up to 6 or 7 hours . I was experiencing lows like you just at night . I couldn’t reduce my lantus as it made me high in the morning. So have just had to eat about 5 grms carbs before I go to bed and now problem solved .
 
trophywench said:
FWIW my clinic reckons exercise can affect people for up to 48 hrs.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that , I’ve increased my exercise as I have decided to do a million steps for charity between 1st July and 30th sept . Thought I’d get used to it so walking between 4 and 6 miles a day . Think I’ve reduced my insulin enough now to avoid the hypos I was having at 11 o’clock every night . My poor dog just looks at me as if to say not another walk mummy
 
Status
This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Back
Top