Same carbs, different times of day

[pottersusan]

Am I dreaming or do I really react differently to the same carbs at different times of day?
For example: a slice of Burgen at breakfast time needs very little insulin, but at 8pm needs maybe 3 times more (and that's after my ratios being different, 'cos I need more insulin in the evening ).

 

[Annette]

Makes sense to me. I can eat bread (as toast) at any time of day with no difference in digestion rate, whereas I know that if I eat potatoes at lunchtime, I will digest them much slower than if I eat them at dinnertime. That being the case, I put a different multiwave bolus on for them depending when I'm eating them. A similar sort of thing could cause a difference in insulin needs for a specific sort of carbs, I would have thought. I think (although I don't have the evidence to prove it, as I so rarely consume it) that this happens for me with fruit juice.

 

[Northerner]

Am I dreaming or do I really react differently to the same carbs at different times of day?
For example: a slice of Burgen at breakfast time needs very little insulin, but at 8pm needs maybe 3 times more (and that's after my ratios being different, 'cos I need more insulin in the evening ).

I'm completely the other way round - need as much insulin for one slice of Burgen toast at breakfast as I do for two slices in a sandwich, a yoghurt and an apple at lunchtime! And even less for even more carbs by the evening! 🙄

 

[Amigo]

Strange how we are all different. I can have eggs and toast plus a biscuit for breakfast with no impact on my BG's but it would jump at least 2/3 points in the evening with the same carbs.

I think it's because I suffer the dawn phenomenon and my liver goes into overdrive on a morning till it's fed!

 

[pottersusan]

There certainly seem to be infinite variables 😱.

It's a pity that the medics don't tell you about forums such as this or put you in touch with an 'experienced' diabetic buddy when you're first diagnosed. It would be very helpful.

 

[Northerner]

There certainly seem to be infinite variables 😱.

It's a pity that the medics don't tell you about forums such as this or put you in touch with an 'experienced' diabetic buddy when you're first diagnosed. It would be very helpful.

I think there has been a great deal of suspicion of forums in the past (sometimes justified!). I'm hoping that our closer 'branding' association with Diabetes UK will encourage more healthcare professionals to have confidence in the sort of support and help we can provide 🙂

A few years ago I was a patient representative at a meeting of Southampton medics who were looking at how best to reform and improve services for diabetics in the region and I suggested the idea of 'mentoring' newly-diagnosed people. The idea was well-received, but I have heard nothing about it since! 🙄

 

[DeusXM]

Your insulin ratios will definitely fluctuate throughout the day and you should definitely expect to have to vary your insulin dose accordingly.

 

[Annette]

I think (and correct me if I'm wrong, PotterSusan), the point was not that insulin ratios vary, but that reaction to individual types of carbs also varies. So that, a ratio of 1:10 in the morning and a ratio of 1:8 in the evening will not remove the fact that (eg) a slice of burgen bread needs to be bolused for as if it were 10 g in the morning and 20 g in the evening, whereas a bowl of 10g of oats would be bolused for as 10g morning or evening.
(Maybe I've misunderstood.)

 

[khskel]

Burgen is fine any time for me but lunchtime is when I can have potato salad and coleslaw.

 

[pottersusan]

You're right Annette. My ratios vary considerably during the day. Burgen barely touches me in the morning, ,but despite very different ratios in the evening, it sends me into the stratosphere.

I think (and correct me if I'm wrong, PotterSusan), the point was not that insulin ratios vary, but that reaction to individual types of carbs also varies. So that, a ratio of 1:10 in the morning and a ratio of 1:8 in the evening will not remove the fact that (eg) a slice of burgen bread needs to be bolused for as if it were 10 g in the morning and 20 g in the evening, whereas a bowl of 10g of oats would be bolused for as 10g morning or evening.
(Maybe I've misunderstood.)