Insulin Question

[ms robinson]

i have type one and i have been on insulin for 3 years for the last 2 months i have been watching very close what i eat and exercising my counts have ranged from 110 to 180 i was wondering if your body can go into a low if you dont take any insulin and how high the number needs to be before taking any insulin i dont use it if its below 200

[jillrapp]

Hello Ms,

I'm pretty sure this goes for type 1 as well as type 2... but "not" taking your insulin shouldn't bring upon a low and it's standard thought that any number over 140 for an extended period of time is thought to have the possibility of causing damage to your body. I would do insulin to keep me at the optimum range < 140 after meals and <100 fasting.

[ant hill]

Welcome to Diabetes Forums Ms Robinson. :D
i have type one and i have been on insulin for 3 years for the last 2 months i have been watching very close what i eat and exercising my counts have ranged from 110 to 180 i was wondering if your body can go into a low if you dont take any insulin and how high the number needs to be before taking any insulin i dont use it if its below 200

No! It will just go up and timing is the way to keep control easyer. don't think ever that you experience a low without insulin! Keep the basel at 12 hour intervals and bolus before meals. ;)

[shiftzor]

A low from not taking insulin could only be caused by exercise, stress and alcohol. Exercise would only work for a small amount of time as your muscles can only convert a certain amount of glucose on their own. Alcohol only works for a limit amount of time also and is not a long term solution. Stress can also raise and lower your blood glucose level depending on the type stress. Insulin unfortunately is the only way to lower your blood glucose level on a long term basis.

Exercise can lower your insulin resistance and make it easier to maintain/control your blood sugar levels in the long term. Eating a healthy diet (little bit of everything including the good stuff and bad stuff) and carb counting are also good ways of reducing the amount of insulin you take.