Insulin variability

[dbc]

Anyone see this?

I seem to experience variable effectiveness of fast acting insulin (apidra) based on the amount of insulin injected.

I'm quite sensitive to insulin - still honeymooning, and normally stick to a restricted carbs diet, so my TTD is around 18U. (12U lantus, 4 - 6 U apidra).

By the 500 rule my I:C ratio should be 1:27 - but I don't think the 500 rule is accurate for honeymooners. . .

I often find that a dose of say 2U with a low carb meal seems to take way to long before being absorbed (or something...) and my 2 Hr reading will be say 8.5-9, then two hours later I'll be down at 4, and on the verge of a low. Doesn't seem to happen when I have a more carby meal that might need 4-5U cover.

And no, this is not an alcohol-with-the-meal thing!

Just interested to hear if anybody else has seen the same thing.

[xMenace]

Keep in mind that I:Cs only work for different carb levels if your basal rates are perfect. If they are not, and I'd hazard to bet 90+% of us are not, there's a fixed component to your ratios which can be positive or negative.

You can try adding a small fixed amount to the bolus and lower your carb ratio slightly. I don't think I can do the math, at least not right now.

I had similar scenarios which led me to search out how to get my basal rates accurate. I'd eat a small breakfast and be fine, then eat a large one and go hypo.

[xMenace]

You should be able to prove or disprove my assertion by basal testing: skip the meal and test hourly. If your basals move up or down, you need the fixed bolus to compensate (or somehow fix your basals). It will also give you an idea of how much it should be.