Newbie needs advice on BG levels for my partner

[blackie]

My girlfriend is a Type 1 diabetic and she's been having a horrible time getting her blood sugar levels normalized. She tests herself two hours after meals and it's not unusual for her levels to hit as high as 285. I know from the research I've done on the internet that her normal levels should be around 100 so my question to the forum is whether or not she's getting the right type or dosage of insulin from her physician? I know that she takes 20 units of insulin daily. Anyway, any advice would be a big help. Thanks.

[seacomp]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I hope we can help.
I know that she takes 20 units of insulin daily. Anyway, any advice would be a big help. Thanks.
The consensus here is that insulin dependant diabetics, if they are not on a pump, are best served by one form or another of Multiple Daily Injection (MDI).
This consists of one or two shots of a long-acting insulin, such as Lantus, to cover the body's basal needs. And a shot prior to each meal calculated to "cover" the carbohydrate content of that meal. Using MDI, most diabetics can get their BG levels to near normal, most of the time.
The amount of insulin an individual needs depends on many personal metabolic factors, their level of activity and their diet. There are many diabetics who take far more than 20 units to control thie BG. I take 50 to 60 myself.
There's a lot more to be said, but perhaps, it's better if you and her(?) look around the forum.
Welcome again.

[jen_slc]

blackie, can you give us some more information? "20 units of one insulin" doesn't help us out much. If I am correct in assuming she is taking multiple daily injections (MDI), she must be on 2 types of insulin (3 is possible). So what types are those, as well as the amounts and times?

welcome to the forum btw!

[vrocco1]

Hey, welcome to the forum. What sort of medical care is your gf getting? It sounds to me that a new form of treatment, or adjustment of her dosages might be in order.

[am1977]

I don't think its that abnormal for your girlfriend to be seeing some elevated numbers occasionally, it happens to most of us as diabetics. However, if it is becoming a trend, I would suggest that she call her doctor. Sounds like something in her treatment plan needs to be adjusted.

From the information you provided, it's hard to know what is really going on here. Like the others posted, we need more info. We're more than willing to try and help if we can, but we need to know the types of insulin, doses, etc. It might be good for your g/f to post here herself, as well. I'm sure she is well aware of what her treatment plans are.

I think it's great that your g/f has such a supportive, caring guy in her life. That really is something priceless. I would let her know your concerns and encourage her to take control. Sometimes people just need a little push before they make an effort.

Best of wishes! :)

[blackie]

Thank you for making me feel welcome asking questions about a topic I really don't know a lot about. I'll talk to her and find out more information about her dosages and her condition. I'll repost that after I talk to her. She had called me this afternoon because she'd been feeling rotten for a day or so then went to a local clinic thinking she had a flu bug. Turns out they told her she was in a state of ketoacidosis and her blood sugar was 344 and her urine had a lot of proteins in it. She wound up in a local emergency room on an IV but will get to go home tonight.

All I really know is that I've known her for a few months and she's had high blood sugar readings the entire time. She was giving herself injections with hypodermic needles then her physician changed her to a pen type needle that she can adjust the units on it. I don't know the exact name of it. Either way her blood sugar counts are still pretty high. My sister is a nurse and she told me that the real problem for me to learn about is a low blood sugar count. So I've been told what to do if that happens. But I'm still concerned with the high levels and that's why I posted on this site. Am I wrong or shouldn't her dosage of insulin be increased to manage the high sugar levels? And by increased I mean what some of you have alluded to in that she should take the insulin periodically through the day as opposed to once a day. I might be wrong on her taking it once a day but I remember asking her if she had to give herself shots more than once and she said no. Well, I'll definately talk to her and get back to this board with more info.

[Cinnabon]

Welcome...

Its great to see your involved.:wavey:

[vrocco1]

I wrong or shouldn't her dosage of insulin be increased to manage the high sugar levels? And by increased I mean what some of you have alluded to in that she should take the insulin periodically through the day as opposed to once a day. I might be wrong on her taking it once a day but I remember asking her if she had to give herself shots more than once and she said no. Well, I'll definately talk to her and get back to this board with more info.

Sounds like that is the problem. Most T1s take at least four "shots" per day if they are not on the pump. Some of us even do five or six to get better control. We all know what a pin cushion feels like! :)

[seacomp]

Turns out they told her she was in a state of ketoacidosis and her blood sugar was 344 and her urine had a lot of proteins in it. She wound up in a local emergency room on an IV but will get to go home tonight.

Luckily it looks like things will be OK this time, but diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a big deal. It can be very, very serious.
There a number of people here in this forum who have written about their experiences or a loved one's experience with it. It is not a nice thing.
But for many people in this forum, their bout with DKA turned out to be a good thing because they began to take their diabetes and the care it requires seriously.