Just an added note. I was complaining of changing basal rates for years in my 30s. There were no answers provided, and very little investigation done by the medical system here in Canada. A lot of shrugging did take place and a suggestion to accept it and wait it out.
I exercise regularly, eat clean and fairly low carb. In my thirties, my problems may have resembled yours. As far as monthly cycle,it was erratic at the time (sometimes 8 weeks, sometimes 3 week cycles.) I felt that the more I exercised, the more fat I put on, due to hypos.
I went to the specialist for years trying to figure it all out. Headaches, changing basal rates, severe nocturnal lows and eventually fatigue. The lows were worsened with exercise. It got to the point that I was hardly needing insulin to paint a room all day (light exercise.) I was tested and had zero production of insulin, because it seemed suspicious that I may be producing some. I ended up setting the alarm a couple times per night so I could check my sugar before the severe lows hit me, even on as little as 12 or 15 units per day- total insulin. There was no help or explanation available. The nighttime lows, I believe were causing brain injury, and severe fatigue set in.
I was fine for a few years, taught Zumba and continued teaching school. Now, at 45, I find my instability is back, so I am back to treating adrenal fatigue. The fluctuation of cortisol goes up with treatment of adrenals, which puts my basal insulin needs up, but more steady. The hypos are decreasing and have not reached the severity of my last problem run (around 10 years ago.) I am very tired and I seem to be very sensitive to everything (exercise, food, stress, sleep changes.) Blood sugar is steadily becoming more predictable and my insulin needs are climbing. This is over the course of 8 months now.
My insulin dose is around 35 units while eating low carb and remaining active. I have gained about 20 pounds and I am patiently waiting for that to go down when things stabilize. WIth the way I am eating, it should be falling off me! As much as this should not be a priority, it is pretty frustrating.
What happened? I am only making educated guesses. For one thing, I think my pancreas has not been producing adequate enzymes (makes sense for type 1 diabetic.) This is exhausting and affects food absorption. When my sugar is low, it sometimes does not come up very quickly. I believe this is due to malabsorption problems. I think digestive problems tired my entire system which may have caused adrenal fatigue. Although the adrenal fatigue may have been there the entire time.(?)
I have consulted with message boards for diabetes, Naturopathic Doctors, read books like Sara Gottfried's "The Hormone Solution", Eric Berg's "The 7 Principals of Fat Burning, and listening to podcasts by John Bergman to better understand our hormonal systems. Some of the best help I received came from a Dynamic Blood Analysis/ Live Blood Analysis which pinpointed low magnesium and some of the malabsorption problems. Also, my consultant had some excellent sources for supplements and glandulars. It is a relief to find people with similar issues.
I had my saliva cortisol profile tested by my ND, which showed low cortisol for most of the day. High cortisol results in insulin resistance, low cortisol results in insulin sensitivity.
Some suggestions I have not yet pursued: checking into celiacs and milk allergy. Some have suggested this is my problem. Much of my research shows that Paleo eating is best for metabolic problems. Since I hardly eat bread and only some cheese, I have put off this line of reasoning. I am also afraid of the commitment of absolutely no grain or milk. Low carb is enough for now. If I cannot stabilize, I may just try this route in the future.
If this sounds like you, then check into some of my treatments. I could find nobody to help when I had all the lows. All I could do is spend days poring over studies and researching hypoglycemia.
