How consistent are your numbers?

dbc · #1 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 03:26 AM

How consistent are your bs measurements? As in when you track your bs profile before a meal then 1hr & 2 hr post prandial, and you eat the same thing every day at the same time (like breakfast), how close are the numbers?

I'm T1, LADA, not yet on insulin, last A1c 6.4 and heading upwards. Every time I go see the endo I expect him to say "NOW we start insulin", but so far it hasn't happened. (Next visit in 2 weeks time)

I'm on low carb diet, and every couple of months test bs levels intensively for a few days at a time to check the bs profile. I find what I think is a wide spread in the measurements.

I know that the meters are probably only 5%-10% accurate, and there will be statistical variations in any series of repeated measurements, but I wonder about the consistency of measurements - especially once I have to start using insulin. I've used multiple meters occassionally to cross check, but it gets expensive! If the bs measurement is so variable, how do I figure out how much short-acting insulin to use to cover a meal? (once I start using it)

As an example: I have bacon & eggs and a small yoghurt for breakfast every day at more or less the same time, yet I see bs rises between 1mmol and 3mmol/L. I do exercise - run 3-5Km about 3-4 times a week before breakfast, but am careful to take note exercise days. The spread in bs readings is taken from days when I have followed the same morning routine.

How do others find this?

thanks

Dave

archimeech · #2 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 03:29 AM

My numbers are 100% consistent....

Consistently random.

Gangrel · #3 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 04:52 AM

My numbers are fairly consistent, but of course I'm on insulin, so it's not an apples to apples comparison. However, it's not just food and exercise that can cause fluctuations. Stress can drive up your blood sugar quite easily, as well as having a cold or any kind of virus in your system.

Every once in a while, I can eat and do everything normal, and have my sugars shoot up to the 17-20 range for no reason I can think of. All I ever do is jab some Humalog in and try to get it back down........

So, you can control things, but not as well as you'd (or we'd) like sometimes......

am1977 · #4 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archimeech

My numbers are 100% consistent....

Consistently random.

:dito:

When I was first diagnosed I didn't realize how hard it is to keep your levels consitently level. I'd like to believe that it can be done, but I've yet to see it myself. However, I know that my eating habits are VERY erratic... so that does not help matters. I wish it was easier!

Simon · #5 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 06:00 AM

I'm also a LADA but wasn't diagnosed until I was ripe for going on insulin. I have a fasting blood sugar of about 5.5 mmol/l with a standard deviation of about 1.1 mmol/l so that might give you some idea of how variable I am. Post prandial the variability doubles. Fortunately I've been told to aim for the 4 to 10 mmol/l area. That's a nice big target to hit so if I aim for 7 or 8 I'm usually in the required range. Work with averages but make sure the random variation doesn't take you into hypo (shouldn't be a problem if your managing with diet).

Just a thought but there has been research done with LADA's that suggests you can use an imuno-suppressent to stop the march of the destruction before you get to the insulin dependent stage.

Aftiel · #6 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 06:19 AM

Last night eating dinner, I was at 119. Out of interest, I checked my Fiance's BS (she is not diabetic,) and she was at 124.

After dinner I went into the high 100's before coming back down. That is pretty typical -- however I go off Humilin and on to Lantus this weekend, so I think the consistency will improve.

It is difficult with an active lifestyle to always stay between 80-120 - so I work hard to keep the peaks and valleys as even as possible.

Today at work I may range from 100-200 given what I am doing, meals, etc.

But again, I think with Lantus that range will be smaller.

IF I could have EVERY day with no more of range than say 100-150 that would be awesome, and is what I am shooting for.

- Aftiel

Cinnabon · #7 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 06:25 AM

You seem to follow a pretty strict routine. But, as long as it is working out for you. I know people who have 1.5 type start off like this. This can also last up to a few years before insulin is needed.

My numbers are pretty consistent, but I dont follow too much of a schedule, eat real healthy, but I know being on a pump does help.

Erin · #8 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by archimeech

My numbers are 100% consistent....

Consistently random.

:dito:

Yup, couldn't have said it better myself. random, just like me

sbuff28@charter · #9 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 01:02 PM

My doc just adjusted my insulin today for the 5th time.... and im a 7 days into Type 1... Here are some of my numbers.

Im on NPH 16 units with breakfast and 12 at Dinner
Sliding scale at Bfast-Lunch-Dinner of humalog...approx 6-9 units

i can also take 3-5 humalog for a large lunch and late night snack if i choose to have it.

0:40 133 Late night snack
1:25 188 Fell asleep at 2:30am
8:32 245 woke up
8:33 247 Breakfast
9:38 366 3 glasses of water
10:15 319 Start of slow workout
10:24 303 15 min on bike.... Ave. heart rate 170
11:01 223
11.34 151 End of workout
12.03 125 Lunch
12.45 111
2.13 191
3.13 119

just yesterday i was Averaging 250-300 allllll day

So as you can see Im getting much better than what i was at, because i was told that 14.7 with the A1C test is averaging 450-500 Bs constantly for 3 months.

I feel 110% better since i was admitted in the hopsital and everyday i can notice my symptoms Amotionally and Physically are going down.

The headaches are much more mild ...

SOOOOO much better... and not getting up 5 times (8 times when i drank alcohol) a night to pee and inhale large amounts of water is a huge benifit..

BriOnH · #10 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbc

I know that the meters are probably only 5%-10% accurate, and there will be statistical variations in any series of repeated measurements, but I wonder about the consistency of measurements - especially once I have to start using insulin.
Dave

just kind of a cool tidbit of info on the accuracy of the freestyle flash meter. I have been getting a lot of blood work done lately and test my blood sugar with my meter with the same blood they drew, and the past three times:
Meter = 150 mg/dl - Lab 149 mg/dl
Meter = 160 mg/dl - Lab 160 mg/dl
Meter = 110 mg/dl - lab 108 mgdl

They are pretty **** accurate in my experience. Also if you dont use the freestyl flash, man its AWESOME. Requiers the tiniest amount of blood, and the meter is so small it EASILY fits in your pocket. Also I got the greatest pricker lately, the Accucheck SoftClix. Everytime I use it I think "oh man, no way that prick is going to draw blood I barely felt it", but it does!

Sorry to get a lil of topic!!
-Brian

Erin · #11 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 01:18 PM

Steve,

Those are pretty good numbers for being so new at this. Good job!

I would ask my doc about Lantus if I were you... I was on NPH for years, and I find the Lantus / Humalog regime much more flexible. Not everybody likes Lantus, but I highly recommend it, especially for active young people.

sbuff28@charter · #12 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 01:38 PM

I keep telling my endo, primary care, and dibetic Counselor... even my nutritionalist just to give me the freakin pump... but they want me to wait a couple months at least...BASTARDS

Erin · #13 (**permalink**) 01-12-2006, 01:47 PM

wanna talk about irrational fears? I'm afraid of the pump.

I think of Lantus as the "no-pump pump"

The docs might want to ease you into this whole diabetes thing, which isn't a bad idea, but I still say Lantus kicks NPH butt!

jdstein11 · #14 (**permalink**) 01-13-2006, 04:50 AM

I eat the same breakfast 6x a week and try to eat the same lunch about 4x a week and have noticed that my numbers are pretty consistent. The only issue for me is dessert time, when I have a fairly tough time predicting how much to take. I take Novolog for meals and Lantus at night, and my A1c tests have been 12.2 (first dxd), 5.2 (3 months) and 5.8 (6 months). Most of my readings lately have been in the 130's.

I wish I could exercise like some of you, I just don't have the will power to spend all that time doing it. I used to be a pretty fair athlete, but work and kids and volunteering just sap my energy pretty quickly. I do notice, though, that exercise will force my bg down rapidly, so I have to have Gatorade on hand, just in case. I've been down to a measured 27 before, so I wouldn't recommend the anxiety of seeing that on your meter!