Morning dosage requirement SWINGS

[kemist]

It's so frustrating how I see my body utilize say 6-8 units for a set breakfast (3 yogurts and some granola), and then require something like 20-25 for the EXACT same breakfast when my sugar is say a little higher in the morning but I have already corrected for it with a few units of Novo.

What puts the body into this varying GREED mode for insulin in the mornings?? I think this syndrome is going to be the early death of me.... It's nuts!

kemist

[duck]

"Dawn Phenonmenon" is something many diabetics deal with--Let me ask: Are you a "morning person"? if so, you are more likely to suffer from an increased release of liver glucose in the morning.

What kind of basal insulin are you on?

[mark-TN]

Kemist-

This is the dreaded and oh so common Dawn Phenomenon of coarse. The liver is constantly clearing the blood of a small amount of insulin. In the morning this clearance is accelerated, apparently to help give us energy to get up and get moving. This is no problem for a non-diabetic as they just release more insulin to take care of it. In a Type I diabetic it can be a nightmare. One thing that stunts my DP is consistent exercise (strength training, and intense cardio) that makes me more sensitive to insulin. Others say that alcohol before bed helps by pre occupying the liver to clear the alcohol from the blood and this helps offset the large clearance of insulin. I’m not sure how consistent or safe this would be to rely on, but apparently it works for some. Short of an insulin pump I think exercise is the safest and most consistent remedy for a Type I. Also, I make dinner my last meal of the day and wait at least 5 hours before going to bed. This has helped me have much more predictable morning reads.

Mark

[kemist]

Kemist-

This is the dreaded and oh so common Dawn Phenomenon of coarse. The liver is constantly clearing the blood of a small amount of insulin. In the morning this clearance is accelerated, apparently to help give us energy to get up and get moving. This is no problem for a non-diabetic as they just release more insulin to take care of it. In a Type I diabetic it can be a nightmare. One thing that stunts my DP is consistent exercise (strength training, and intense cardio) that makes me more sensitive to insulin. Others say that alcohol before bed helps by pre occupying the liver to clear the alcohol from the blood and this helps offset the large clearance of insulin. I’m not sure how consistent or safe this would be to rely on, but apparently it works for some. Short of an insulin pump I think exercise is the safest and most consistent remedy for a Type I. Also, I make dinner my last meal of the day and wait at least 5 hours before going to bed. This has helped me have much more predictable morning reads.

Mark


Yes I also do 75% weight training and 25% cardio. I am very physically fit. But I just hate how the weight training affects your body in terms of blood sugar, dosage, etc... especially after a workout when the body is refueling glycogen stores, etc. That plus working shift work at work makes for a very tough regime to manage.... still tryin to get it right.

kemist

[kemist]

"Dawn Phenonmenon" is something many diabetics deal with--Let me ask: Are you a "morning person"? if so, you are more likely to suffer from an increased release of liver glucose in the morning.

What kind of basal insulin are you on?


I am so NOT a morning person.... I am on Lantus. Worked great in the beginning, giving me alot of trouble now (2-3 years later) with my routine (exercise, etc) remaining relatively the same.

kemist

[am1977]

I am having similar problems. It's a pain, I know :rolleyes: . About 2 hours after breakfast, I'll have a very significant spike in my blood sugar... According to my Endo, it has to do with certain hormones that are released in the morning (I want to say cortisol or some type of stress hormone). This hormone helps to prepare you for the day. Then on top of that, all my working out is having an affect on my blood sugar levels...making it more difficult to control. I end up high in the evening, then in the early am hours wake up from lows and that go up and down throughout the day. My Endo said something about a lag effect, which he explained. Apparently it affects your blood sugar for up to 24 hours after. He raised my basal rates dramatically :eek: , so I'll see how it goes. Perhaps you are dealing with the same thing since you are also very athletic. I would ask your doctor about the "lag" effect and see what he suggests.

Hope you figure things out :)