Levemir question

rea · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 10:44 AM

I have been just put on the Basal insulin Levamir (sp?), which is for me, about a 19 hour acting insulin. very similar to Lantus, which is 24 hours.

Right now I am on 9 units in the evening, which lasts until dinner the next day. I also take Humalog each meal weekdays, as I have a desk job.

The issue, is I only take 3 units for humalog, which I know maybe 1-2 units actually goes in me. but it makes a difference and normals out my blood sugars. What I am thinking of doing, is taking 10-11 units of Humalog, and seeing if I can go without the humalog alltogether. the idea sounds great, but, for excersizing. right now I go for a 45 minute run, and have to spike my sugars up before I go or I bottom out.

If I raise my Levemir insulin, I am worried that I won't be taking enough sugar to excersize. I already have to consume at least 45grams of carb to be able to do a 45 minute run.

and, considering I am trying to loose some weight, (not alot), and my diet is already very controlled, won't taking in even more sugar defeat the purpose?

anyone have any experience in this? I can't get a hold of my doctor to ask.

Cinnabon · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 12:19 PM

Do you have a Meter ?

rea · #3 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 12:27 PM

you mean my glucometer? Yes, I test before every meal, 2 hours after, and before and after any strenous excersize.

I know some people take WAY more insulin than I do, but I am a bit nervous at raising my basal insulin and potentially dealing with a drastic low during excersize. I already have to spike my sugar quite high before I run, (like with candy bar- or can of pop). thats alot of sugar, and I am not used to having to do that. before levimer I would just eat a healthy meal 1 hour prior to running, and that was enough. now its not, and I wonder what happens if I increase my dose.

I have only been on this insulin one week, and so far Its dropped my meal time Humalog doses from 8 units of Humalog to 3, and I have a great overall average I have maintained of 6.1. so I am really happy with Levimer, but I am at a point whethor or not I try to eliminate the humalog altogether - except for special occasion.

Cinnabon · #4 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 12:31 PM

This is the only way of knowing if what you ae trying is ok w/ your blood sugar. Testing can get you there. I think the units you want to eliminate with the Humalog are being replaced by the coverage Levemir is providing. Have you compare withthe total of units w/ adn w/ out the Humalog?

rea · #5 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 01:03 PM

Do you mean the units of one type of insulin might be equivelant to the type of another type? I thought they all worked differently.

Cinnabon · #6 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 01:11 PM

They do work differently, but you are claiming that you are trying to eliminate your need of Humalog. Only way of doing this is by testing a lot. Now, another reason might be you dont need as much becasue your other insulin is still running through you, or better know as IOB (insulin on board). Your Basal.

rea · #7 (**permalink**) 02-08-2006, 01:32 PM

well, if I totalled my previous units of insulin (humalog and humalin n) together for the whole day, that was 24 units of insulin per day.

currently to maintain a simlilar normal BS, I take a total of 22 units of Levemir and humalog per day all doses combined.

very similar totals.

I thought that Levemir was somehow more concentrated or something.

Simon · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2006, 06:40 AM

There are a couple of problems with upping the basal insulin.

1. You could go low and trigger a liver dump in the night. This puts your bg all over the place and hard to pin down.

2. You will be hungry most of the time between meals. Snacking will be hard to avoid and again throws out your control.

rea · #9 (**permalink**) 02-09-2006, 07:48 AM

thats what I am a bit worried about- is going too low.

I am at a cross roads it seems. weekdays I am less active than weekends, so I use humalog. but, because my humalog is so low I could almost eliminate it (and I don't take it at all weekends). But then I have to make sure I remember to take a lesser dose weekends.

right now by experiment it seems with (on average), every extra unit of levemir at night means one less humalog.

so is it healthier to add one more unit of levemir at night, and (since I dont' think going from 3-2 units of humalog actually does much), just lower my overall carb/glucose content even more at meal times), and eliminate humalog, or, stay how I am taking the 3 units.

I guess I just have to try it.

anyone successful taking JUST levemir alone?

stella117 · #10 (**permalink**) 02-10-2006, 08:09 PM

Have you tried splitting the dose--say 5 units at night and 4 in the AM? I just started on Levemir and have been doing a split dose since all my research indicates that unless you are dosing at .4 units per kg you're not going to come close to 24 hours of coverage.

Or you could work out in the AM.