Low BG's
SeraFee
Posts: 52 Member
So I have noticed that my BG has been running really low since I started working out. Well, I guess I knew that before I started working out and it hasn't been a problem until recently. I am working on getting my pump setting to where they work for me again. But I was curious how other people deal with lows and the inevitable calories added to your daily intake.
Do you leave a "buffer" of calories in you diary, in case you go low?
What do you eat to bring BG's back up?
How do you work your carbs/insulin when going to workout?
It seems to me that every time I have a really good day, my BG drops and I end up going wwaaayyy over on calories. Or that on occasion my lows kind of derail my entire day And I just end up making poor food choices for that day.
Any advice or help is appreciated. I've always been curious how others deal with their diabetes. I've only known 1 or 2 type 1's besides myself, So I am excited to pick all your brains!
Do you leave a "buffer" of calories in you diary, in case you go low?
What do you eat to bring BG's back up?
How do you work your carbs/insulin when going to workout?
It seems to me that every time I have a really good day, my BG drops and I end up going wwaaayyy over on calories. Or that on occasion my lows kind of derail my entire day And I just end up making poor food choices for that day.
Any advice or help is appreciated. I've always been curious how others deal with their diabetes. I've only known 1 or 2 type 1's besides myself, So I am excited to pick all your brains!
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Replies
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Hey Sera, I don't have the problems w/lows that I used to, but if it gets to be a problem I start reducing my basal rate. Last Tuesday I worked out hard after work and was plagued with lows Wednesday during our office move (much more activity than I usually incur at the office), so I backed off my basal rate .2 and it resolved the problem. I ended up being a little higher than I would have liked in the late afternoon, but it was easily corrected and kept me from eating extra calories that I didn't wish to consume.
If going low during a workout is a problem I would reduce my basal rate 30 minutes to an hour before I workout. BTW; I'm always careful not to exercise if I have a 'live' bolus on board.
HTH,
-Keith (T1D 44 years and counting)0 -
I've been reducing my basal rates. I used to use about 1.3 units/hour throughout most of the day. Now I'm down to 1 unit/hour throughout the day. I may need to tweak it some more. But by doing this I'm helping to curb the lows while staying away from having to correct with a lot of calories. If I do have to correct, I use Juicy Juice juice boxes (the small ones) - 15g of carbs in one of them, and only 60 cals!
(T1 over 20 years)0 -
Thanks for the advice! I've adjusted my pump setting and am now running a bit high. But I also haven't been able to get to the gym for a few days. I usually take my pump off about 15 minutes before a workout and eat a banana. My BG's are pretty steady during my workouts (generally) its just that anywhere from 2- 12 hours after a workout (weights) I tend to get low.
I like the idea of Juicy juice boxes. I usually have glucose tabs because they tend to keep me from over correcting.0 -
When I started working out regularly last fall, I was having hypos almost every time I exercised. It took a couple of months to get my basal rate reduced to the new, correct value and my body used to regular exercise.
Every time we work out, it affects our sensitivity to insulin for 24-48 hours. During that time, we will need less insulin. It's a wonderful effect but it's painful to make the adjustment.
Also, high intensity exercise causes your liver to release some glucose during the exercise. This helps explain why your BGs are stable during exercise. In the hours after exercise, your liver is "refilling" the glucose reservoir and that may be what is causing the low you experience later in the day.
-Bob0
