Hi, I am just experiencing my first summer as a diabetic.
I was never one to enjoy the heat, but my blood sugar has nosedived in the past few days - I have drunk more juice in two days than in the last two months combined.
Does anyone else have this?
I would appreciate any advice as to what to do - should i change my basals? inject less for food? Or just eat more as and when necessary?
I have not had lows like this before (I have only been diabetic for two months, so i haven't had a lot of time, i know). It is like they never let up - i feel constantly dizzy, or like i am falling. I can't work, i feel like i can't focus my eyes (or my brain) properly... i am getting really behind on my workload.
I find it is worse when i drink a lot of water.
What are your experiences? All ideas are good ideas!!
It's my first summer too! I have steadily been dropping my basal down and am still having lows. According to what I've read, it could be the summer weather, or we've hit the 'honeymoon' stage, or a combination of both. I do know that if you keep going low, you need to titrate your basal down a unit or two every three days until you don't go hypo. I have also learned that my basal needs are ever changing. Just when you think you've got it figured out; it up and changes on you. If you need to, call your endocrinologist and ask their advice. The advice I gave you is what my endocrinologist told me, but yours might have a different plan.
Heat can change things, increasing circulation (as your body cools itself) among other things. This can markedly change the absorption of insulin. It isn't uncommon to have to change your insulin regime to reflect summer and spending time outside in the heat.
In the end, everyone is different. It may just affect your basal, but you may also find that you become more insulin sensitive overall require changes to your meal and correction bolus settings.I use about 15% less insulin during the summer but I can't say it's the heat, I eat less and my activity level is higher. I'm not a doctor but two months into this, I would suspect that you have no idea what your insulin needs are, get in touch with a CDE for some help and some training...
If I was consistently going low I would lower my basal and up my carb ratio...it's better to start on the high side a slowly work your BG down to a target range. Keep a food, meter and insulin log...it will take time and some history to figure out your daily insulin needs.
Thanks everyone for the information - i think it has to be the weather - we went from 30°c or more yesterday where i was totally out of control low, (unless spiking stupid on juice), to only 22°c today, and i have been consistently between 80 and 110.
I can't rely on the weather to stay hot or cold enough to change my basals i think - i will have to do it with food and bolus...
I've had mixed experiences with heat. I like to tell this story: My first summer on insulin, I went from the temperate mountain area of Guatemala I lived in to the hot humid beach. I walked down the beach to a wonderful place that made their own pasta, planning to treat myself to a rare plate of ravioli. I ordered my food and then went to bolus with the pen I was then using for my Apidra. The pen needle broke and I hadn't brought another one from the hotel. It was about a 15 minute hot walk each way to the hotel and the food had been ordered. So I decided to just enjoy my lunch and deal with the highs when I got back to the hotel. Well I waited...and waited...and it never came. Ravioli! With no bolus!? I ended up being borderline low or low all weekend.
That was five years ago. I currently live in a hot area in rural northern California. The temperature has been in the mid-90s all week and no change in my blood sugar. All I can figure is it was either the humidity (it's not humid here) or the suddenness of the change in climate. It wasn't exercise, because other than that one walk I mainly lay in a hammock and stared at the waves!
I agree that I would make some slow changes in both basal and bolus as needed. After a while you just get comfortable in doing that PRN. It is easier to deal with the basal with a pump.I find I'm higher in the summer and lower in the winter, am i alone on this one? Because it kinda seems like it.
Oh dear. It sure is difficult. I work this and last summer outside in 107f the last two days and similar. Everyone slows down in the heat and we require a lot of water. I think heat is like exercise because the body works to keep cool. It’s hard to avoid low BG without cgm.
You are not alone! I am also higher in the summer and lower in the winter. I also spike after exercise in the heat but drop in the cold. It's amazing how we all differ. I'm probably dehydrated more often. Can't seem to keep up with hydration with exercise and low carb,
Cheers!
Molly
The only change in my blood sugars I notice during the summer is do to a change in my activity levels. However, the heat does tend to make me sick. Be sure to drink plenty of water. If I spend too much time outside without properly hydrating I get headaches and become nauseas. I've had other diabetics tell me they experience similar symptoms.
Hydration is very important. We need enough water, but not too much. Too much can also be bad since it can mess up our electrolytes and if we become low in sodium that can really mess with our blood sugars as well.
this is going to be my third summer as a t1 and last year and the year before i dont think i had to lower any insulin doses. this year however, ive lowered from 13 to 12 basal and ill see if i have to lower any more in the next couple of days.
i love seeing the 70s when i wake up, but its just too close to hypo for me to feel that comfortable. well see what the next couple of weeks brings!
Hello Brian,
Well said.
Don't forget physical activity is often far higher in the warmer months than say the winter... as such less insulin is likely needed