I’ve just been diagnosed with auto-immune hypothyroidism (another gift because of type 1) and put on Eltroxin 50 mg. According to the literature rising bg can be one of the side effects. And mine is really going up. I keep adding on the NovoRapid but it still keeps going up. I haven’t changed meal times or exercise patterns. Does anyone know of a formula, or if one exists, to correct this. I’ve been going in 1iu increments because I’m afraid of going hypo. Thanks for any help. Carol
Hi Carol,
As with any other medication that raises your blood sugar (and there are a number of them that can) just keep on adding the insulin in small doses until you hit the number you need to handle this new med. I take prednisone on a daily basis and sometimes we have to use intravenous steroids at much larger doses When this comes up I tell the doctors and nurses not to worry about it. I will handle my insulin. To me it is more dangerous for someone else to handle my needs than it is for me to do it, because i know how I am feeling. I do not worry about going hypo because I am checking more often and can catch the downward trend most of the time at a faster pace. If you are coming down at too fast a slide, cut back on the next shot and treat the blood sugar. If you need the medication (and it looks like you do permanently) then just keep telling yourself that you trust you and can get through this until it becomes second nature to you like the insulin is. It is fine to be upset with the fact that you have another thing to deal with. But i know you can handle this Carol. Any time you need support or a shoulder you can come and cry to us. We are all here for you. You don’t have to be happy about adding something more. But you have an awful lot of your family right here with you and the hypothyroidism.
I would also tell you that your needs for the insulin will most likely change over time with this new medication. You MAY need less as time goes by. For right now just keep increasing by small increments. You will get to where you want to be.
My very best to you. And please come back and let us know how you are doing.
I have been taking synthroid for 14 years for hypothyroidism, but have only been diabetic for 4 years, I also am anemic, it all goes together, what a wonderful endocrine system we have
I take meds for hypo-T. My blood glucose levels leveled off once my thyroid got under control. I would say increase your insulin and inform your physician on your bg’s rising. It’ll get better
Cherise
Hi Carol,
Formula unless contraindicated by other drugs or liver function problems: You go up by 1 unit increments while you’re dealing with 1-9 units. You go up by 2 unit increments when dealing in the teens. KNOW how long the type of insulin you’re using lasts, and don’t give it on top of your prior dose until within a half hour of the prior dose’s end of life. Test q hour and you’ll have enough notice at the point bs starts getting controlled.
Keep us informed how it goes! And - call your doctor or his CDE to see if he uses a different formula! Best wishes!