Diabetes Forums » Forums


Welcome to Diabetes Forums!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features.

Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.


View Single Post
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 08-16-2008, 07:11 PM
owlyn's Avatar
owlyn owlyn is offline
Senior Member
I am a: Type 1
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Bucks County, PA, USA
Posts: 1,374
There is almost always a little drop after you pull the needle out.

But- as a type 1, you probably need more insulin than what has been prescribed so far. You need to learn how to count carbs, and to determine what your insulin-to-food-to-BG ratio is. That ratio works like this (Im using my ratio as an example. Everone is a bit different. Mine happens to be fairly average):

1 unit of rapid-acting insulin (Humalog) = 30 (U.S.) points of BG = 15 grams of carbohydrate.

So, for example, suppose I check my BG before dinner, and I find that it is 170. I need to take 3 units of Humalog to bring it down 90 points (to about 80). This actually takes a few hours, but it is still needed. Then, because I read the packages for all my ingredients for dinner, and figured out how big my portion is (by slice or weight, or whatever), I know I am about to have 90 grams of carbohydrate for dinner. So, that means I need 6 units of Humalog to "cover" dinner. So...

3 units + 6 units = 9 units of Humalog.

Once you determine your ratio, it's just simple math combined with voodoo, because certain foods don't follow the rules (and, yes, it's the good stuff: pizza, Chinese, and Mexican). And sometimes your body doesn't follow the rules, either. So, it's a bit of a guessing game, and not perfect, but you do the best you can. And, of course, exercise factors in, too, but first things first...

Once you have this figured out, life gets easier. You can eat pretty much whatever you want (within reason, or you'll gain weight like anyone else who overeats), and your BG is under better control.

There are other threads here that discuss counting carbs and also how to figure out your ratio, plus I'm sure someone else will reply.
__________________

Unless otherwise stated, the opinions expressed here are my own and are in no way intended to be considered as anything other than my opinion. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.
Reply With Quote
 
» Log in
User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!

All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:18 AM.

For Advertising: