I used to have the “typical” ratio of 15g / 1 unit. Now, eleven years later, I’m down to a whopping 5g / 1 unit.
I’m told by my doctors that I’ve started to develop antibodies against my insulins. This has occured for three of my past insulins.
I am not overweight and I’m a Type 1.
What gives?
What are your ratios?
1 unit of insulin to 7 grams of carbs
4 units to every 15 grams - with U500 insulin
mine vary throughout the day. 1:10 untill11am 1:12 until 5pm 1:9from5pm-6am
before the pump i was closer to 1:5
May be you are developping something in common with type 2s: insulin resistance. hope this does not progress turns the disease into your worst nightmare.
I read something about that. But that doesnt even exist. It’s not T1, T2, or T1.5. That would make me undefinable- which is typical. haha.
Oh I guess I’m pretty normal after all? I’m not much different from those of you who had posted! 
I unit for every 15 grams carb. and 1 unit lowers me 50pts with food and 1 unit lowers me 70-80 pts with out food.
My ratios vary like some others have said. And also sometimes vary with activity or lack of. I’m wondering if you might be experiencing insulin resistance as was suggested by Anthony. And it is more common than you might think.
I am 1:10 or 1:12 depending on the time of the month (yay, hormones), and 1:8 for breakfast or anything else before 10am.
I could stand to lose about 30lbs, but even when I was at my ideal weight, my ratios were still the same… the only thing that changes when I lose/gain weight is my basals, and they don’t change a ton… maybe 10% per 20lbs.
Hey Marps! I’m like others where my carb ratio varies during the day - but I guess I average 13g / 1 unit overall. One question - where do you put your infusion sets - only in one area of your body - or do you use as much skin that you can? E.g. I use my stomach (have lots of it), my thighs, upper back. If you are developing scar tissue - perhaps your absorption of your insulin isn’t getting thru’ properly. Just a thought. I’ve been a diabetic 42 years - and so far - I seem to be okay - so far.
LOL - I’m the same way Sarah - that I could lose about 30 lbs - but darn - can’t seem to. At least my weight hasn’t changed that much over the past 30 years - just that middle aged tummy bit thing happening now - but great for my infusion sets!!!
Hey back! I’m actually pretty thin. I dont use the pump anymore due to complications, so I’m injecting Humalog shots daily in both of my thighs on the inside and the outside. I have really long legs so there is a lot of room for injection sites while still allowing the scar tissue to heal in between.
However, I was having the same tolerance issues while I was on the pump.
Not sure, but still find it interesting to see that I’m not the only one who does not have the “typical” 1:15.
Katherine - what length of needle are you using out of curiosity? Do you only use your legs - and nothing else? Just trying to figure out how you can go from 1:15 to 1:5 ratio - seems to steep to be happening to someone so young - unless you’re on other meds or something. When I do inject (use Novorapid for bolusing - Lantus for basal) - when I want a “vacation” from pumping - I use the Novofine 32G Insulin Pen Needle - it’s only 6 mm long. It’s a short needle - but depending on how you are healing - and how much of your body you can inject into - you might have to use the 30G - 8 mm length needl
I have been T1 for 40yrs and have insulin resistance. I take Symlin for it. I also stopped taking Humalog since I was having an immune response to it. I didn’t know that was happening until I started pumping and ended up with knots around my sites and the insulin would actually seep back out
Dear Scott
Thanks for your reply. I am trying to get a feel of what to do for the insulin resistance. So far exercise is the only thing that really helps in my case. one type 2 I met had an epiphany with metformin in my case it turns me into a zombie after 3 weeks. Did you ever try avandia with insulin. I tried avandia without insulin it did dink all. symlin would be worth a try but I think it is unavailable in Canada. Getting it on a trial basis would be a bureaucratic nightmare. I need about 1 unit of insulin per Kg of body weight per day and about 1 unit of insulin per 2 grams of carbs but that varies greatly depending on the glycemic index. I suppose this means I am very resistant. How much total insulin per Kg or body weight per day do you use?
Allergy to a give insulin can happen. I switched from Lantus to Levemir just to see but no effect about the same action per unit. I suppose that insulin resistance and allergic reation are 2 different things.
1 per 35units, which is strange
I have found that, for me, at least, I can develop insulin resistance and then not. For example, when I exercise regularly, my carb ratio goes down (or up, I guess). And when I eat more, I have to give myself more insulin per carb.
But my carb ratio is between 1:6 and 1:12, depending.
This is the scrip that I use for my Humalog KwikPen: B-D U/FN III SHRT PEN NDL31G I think that means: UltraFine, short, 31G needle?
I like your scenarios. I am getting very frustrated with my experience. This disease sucks! haha. But your ideas are getting my brain turning.
Yes! That is what was happening with me! I have a “lizard type” skin on both of my insertion sites on my stomach. I haven’t used my pump for two years and I still have the scars. My doc said it was an allergic reaction to the catheter.
Did your doc confirm your reaction was due to the Humalog?
i’ve been considering using Symlin. I heard it’s “smoother”… haha.
My ration is simple, 1 unit per 10 carbs. it sounds like you may be having insulin resistance??? Watch your diet and it MAY help. check this article out.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080105044508AAOJjSK