[Taytesmommy]

So it seems as though my basal rate over night is not working for me, as well as I would like it too, by the AM. My question is how do I test my basal rate? I haven't done this for a few years and I can't seem to remember...or have the time to feed through my pump book to locate the info! Can anyone help? What is the exact method, I remember there being a start and stop time of food intake but any specifics?
Thanks
Kel!

[milfordj]

When you test your BG at Bedtime ("4 hrs" after your last Carb consumption, and No Insulin On Board) and it is within your target range (not requiring any Carb consumption or High BG insulin bolus), set an alarm clock for 2:00 AM (and I suggest again for 4:00 AM) and test your BG. You are supposed to perform this test an additional time before making adjustments, but I usually go with this one test and make a needed adjustment. Always err on the side of too high a BG for the evening Bolus adjustment, since it's hard to feel if you are running low while asleep. Of course if you're running high, you'll probably be waking up to make a urine deposit. Repeat this test (after making the adjustment) as often as necessary until the early morning tests are within the slightly higher target range. I found that, in my case, I needed to have a higher Basal rate beginning at 3:00 AM, after a very acceptable 2:00 AM BG test. Of course, you should definately not perform this test if you've consumed any of those "Foods to avoid" in your evening meal -- i.e. high-fat foods or other foods that have a tendency to raise BG much later than normal (like pizza, for me). This testing is a "pain", but the results make it well worth it. Sure is nice to wake to a BG within the target range. Best of Luck.

[milfordj]

"too high a BG for the evening Bolus adjustment" SORRY, I meant to say too high a BG for the evening BASAL adjustment. Still new to "Blogs / Forums" and don't know how to edit before replying, or to insert a quote from applicable message.

[Taytesmommy]

Thanks! This is exactly what I was needing to have on paper! I just all of a sudden in the last few days have had a higher than normal, not high BG but just outside of where I like to be, in the AM. I used to be one who was traditionally low in the AM and had a lower basal rate a few hours prior to rising but this seems to be the opposite? I am going to set a new pattern bolus so that I can try it out, once I have figured out what I need to adjust, so that it's not a permanent change unless it needs to happen.
Thanks again!