Question 1--Starting Carb Counting

[RyanN]

I want to start carb counting, especially in order to
determine a sound dosage ratio of humalog units to carbs.

How have many of you found this ratio for your bodies?
Is there an easy way to do it?

Until now, my method of determining dosages was just from memory (Ex.: If I'm at 160, then eat a chicken salad, I need
2 units of Humalog, but if I eat three bites of bread, 2 1/4
etc--exhausting!!!!!)

It seems finding this ratio has really helped many of you here.

Thanks everyone,
Ryan

[shiftzor]

There is no easy way to find your card ratios, it’s all trial and error, however you can use the 500 Rule to take a rough guess:

Carb Factor From The 500 Rule (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_control_tips/carb_factor.php)

Carb Counting stuff:

Carb Counting 101 (http://www.diabetesnet.com/diabetes_food_diet/carb_counting.php)

It’s all fun and games but very worthwhile. The chances are high that you will have a different carb ratio for mornings, for lunches and for dinners. ;)

[Stuboy]

yeh, use the 500 rule as use it as a starting point.

Add up your total daily dose (TDD) of insulin, this is your basal, bolus and corrections.
Then divide 500 by your TDD.

The result is the amount of Carbs per 1 unit of insulin.

It's not perfect but it does give you a close enough dose to easily adjust up or down on the dose to find the correct ratio for you.

I did mine and it came out 13:1 but im actually 15:1... it was easy to adjust.

[xMenace]

It is trial and error, but it's with a plan.

Start with the same measured meal and continue eating that until you find your best ratio. Use a scale to measure everything. The 4 to 6 hour marks should be flat and the 2 hour mark should be as nearly normal as possible. It's possible if not likely you'll end up with an elevated 2 hour number. Now you experiment with lower GI foods, pre-bolusing, and portion sizes. Pumpers can try bolus shapes to help.

Once your happy with a dose and routine, try varying the meal sizes.

It's not necessarily a one shot exercise. You can take months or years to refine it by going back to meal x and workinging at it some more.

[Alice]

It's a little like trying to hold a glob of jello in your hand!

I start with a base ratio such as 1 unit for 15 carbs. Then my mind determines how long that stuff is going to sit in my stomach, the density of the carbs (pasta vs biscuit) and such.

Sometimes I determine to split my dose in two separate intervals, but you might try that later...after you discover what foods just aren't cooperating...rice, pasta & noodles.

If I'm a little low or a little "too normal" then I might delay the bolus til after eating. Opposite if I'm running high, I will take a little early or an extra unit or so...wait and then eat.

I love carb counting. I eat a pretty normal diet and seem to do ok. But, don't get discourage...it's an ongoing experiment for most of us!

[RyanN]

Thanks everyone for the great info.
I got on this last night and have already seen
the truth in the ratios.
I am really excited about learning more about this.
Anything that makes me feel more in control is great.

Thanks again!
Ryan

[BlueSky]

My advice is to make sure that your Lantus dose is right before you start messing with carb ratios. If your Lantus doesn't closely cover your basal needs, bolusing with carb ratios is like playing soccer on a field with a corrugated surface :D