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Posted 3/6/2011 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all!

I just started on insulin about 2 months ago and am a bit confused about testing before and after meals. I've been reading the threads but can't seem to find the answer to this: When testing 2 hours after eating, does one take the insulin before meals?

Thanks,

Mark

Posted 3/6/2011 6:52 PM (GMT 0)
Mark,
You need to talk to your doctor's office about this. You should have received training about when and how much insulin to take. We can't tell you when to take your insulin because we aren't medical professionals but a quick phone call to your doc should clear this all up.
Posted 3/6/2011 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeannie,

I guess I wasn't clear in my question. I know how much insulin to take. My Doc now has me on 5 units before each meal of the short acting and 15 units of the long acting at bedtime. What I was wondering about, was if I wanted to know how much my blood glucose was affected by what I ate, do I take the insulin before I eat and check it after 2 hours? Or not take the insulin to see how much it affects the glucose?

Thanks!

Mark
Posted 3/7/2011 12:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark, I'm hoping Chaul will read your post and answer.  He's on insulin, too, and could answer your question.
Posted 3/7/2011 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Well, you shouldn't skip insulin just to take the reading. The doctor told me that it would be optimal if the before and after readings where about equal, that's with insulin. Then you know that the amount of insulin matches with the amount of food you just ate.

If I was to skip insulin to see the effect, it would be sky high without insulin. If you already know you are diabetic, don't skip the insulin. The after reading is supposed to tell you is the insulin dose enough. That's my understanding anyways, not a doctor.
Posted 3/9/2011 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
That kinda makes sense! Thanks for getting back to me.

Last night before supper, I had a reading of 160. Took 5 units of insulin. Had roast chicken, cauliflower and broccoli and a spoon full of rice. 3 hours later (I forgot to check after 2) it was 190. Yea, I know that's way too high, but its coming down. I had an egg white omelet with spinach and mushrooms and some sausage for brunch, and that's all I had to eat. I also went for a walk before supper. My thyroid decided to get really whacky after I started on synthroid around the same time I started on insulin. Andfrom what I've read, they like to show up around the same time. Oh, what fun! :-)
Posted 3/9/2011 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Mark,
Are you on metformin? Exercising? Both of those things help you utilize your own insulin better. Just curious.
Posted 3/14/2011 6:11 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Jeannie!

I'm not taking any metformin, but I am taking a half tab of glipizide twice a day. I also try to get out and walk for an hour every day now that the weather is getting better. Otherwise I would do the treadmill, but that gets kinda boring! :-) I'll be having some more bloodwork done pretty soon and will be seeing my doc too. Maybe once my thyroid settles down it will be easier to control my glucose levels.
Posted 3/16/2011 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
Mark, you should have received training/cheatsheet for Carb. counting and adjusting insulin amounts to match your meals.

Blood sugar should typically be measured before meals and I wouldn't worry too much about checking two hrs. after meals, I tried this and ended up "crashing" by overcorrecting with Humalog.

I have been on Lantus & Humalog since May 2007.

Wish you luck and talk to your Endocrinologist/doctor about necessary adjustments.
Posted 3/19/2011 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mark,

I have been taking insulin for 26 years for type 1 diabetes. I test before and 2 hours after my meals. Tomas is right that you have to be careful if you are taking a corrective dose at the 2 hour mark because you risk "stacking" your insulin which can lead to lows. What that means is you still have active insulin in your blood stream and you give more based on post meal blood sugar, the new insulin and the active insulin together can be too much. I would avoid corrective doses until you have been taught how to manage that. It seems overwhelming now, but you will learn the concepts one by one and then it will seem like second nature.

If you have just started on insulin, I am speculating that the doctor wants you to test 2 hours after to help adjust the meal time dose. Insulin doses are determined by assessing trends. It can take 3 days to a week to determine trends. I agree with Jeannie that you should touch base with your doctor again. I live in Toronto and I see my endo 3-4 times a year. All the blood sugar support I get in between is through a diabetic nurse. I can call her when ever I want. In the beginning I called her a lot, but I hardly ever have to call her.

Diabetes is a frustrating condition and it takes time to learn all of the necessary strategies. Hang in there. There are resources out there and don't be afraid to ask the "experts" to explain things again/better if you don't fully understand. I think they forget sometimes that what is second nature to them is new to everyone else!

Cheryl
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