I find this fascinating, because I have never had a c-peptide test. I am actually kind of curious and would not object to having one done, but there isn’t much point in doing one. I was diagnosed as a child and after nearly 20 years there’s very little chance that I still produce any measurable insulin. I get ketones very easily if I am not receiving insulin from my pump properly for several hours, when I am sick or stressed and running high, or when I accidentally lower my insulin doses too much, so I would be really surprised if I still produced any insulin, but that doesn’t stop me from being curious!
Anthony.
Natalie & Jennifer are absolutely right! The only goal is having the best BG you can by whatever & all means possible. Please don’t dance on the edge of disaster. Having been DKA & almost dead, I’m grateful every day for the insulin that keeps me alive. As Jennifer said, cut carbs, exercise to the best of your ability to lower doses. No need to feel like you’re starving.
Unspecified should be changed to what? They only have two bins, 0 and 1, clearly type 1 and then everyone else. Surely you would agree there is no 250.0X for type “weird” like us.
The problem is that with a 100 units a day it is not possible to loose any weight. I have to unwind the insulin weight gain spiral. It is a problem because as Jennifer said high blood sugars can also make you hungry.
Anthony,
I think You can still lose weight on 100 units of insulin a day. I think one of the main criteria in losing weight is input has to be less than output. What I mean by that is you have to eat fewer calories than you put out through exercise, etc. A negative net will result in a loss in weight (b/c it uses nutrients your body has stored to make up for that difference).
Like others have said, I think cutting back your insulin is not a great idea. Your immediate and longterm health would be better served if maybe you developed a nutrition plan with a dietitian or something of a similar nature.
I have gained a lot of weight over the past few years since starting on the pump and now take an average of 55-60 units a day. This is up quite a bit from my average of about 40-45 units a few years ago. I am finding it almost impossible to lose weight and am worried that I’m going to get into the weight/insulin cycle if I don’t turn things around soon. So I sympathize!
I’ve registered with the T1U course “Weight Loss for Insulin Users” on February 8th, so am hoping this will give me some tips I haven’t tried yet.
I’m a type II and if I don’t use insulin my bg’s rapidly soar into the 400-450 mg/dl range. I think my highest before I went on Lantus was 460.
Granted, I didn’t go into DKA and I didn’t die at 460, but I was miserable and my double-vision/blurry-vision got so bad that – even with my $900 progressive bifocals – I couldn’t safely drive or read anything printed on a medicine bottle without a super-magnifying glass AND with a bright light shining on the words. I also spent a lot of time so sick and confused that I would weep for any reason/no reason and was in extreme danger of losing my job (my only source of income) and becoming homeless and uninsured as a result.
I guess I DO consider myself insulin dependent. Without it, I would be sick, sick, sick and in great danger of homelessness, no health coverage and of fairly rapid and permanent damage to my eyes, kidneys, heart, brain.
Years after starting Lantus I’m still type II (not LADA – no measurable increase in anti-islet cell antibodies) and I inject Lantus daily and Novolog at each meal, and my BG’s are STILL too high, even on a very, very low carb diet (30 to 35 gm daily). For some type II’s, insulin injections are something we’ll NEED for the rest of our lives.
What is that? Isn’t that insulin dependence?
Dear Jennifer
Let us know any new ideas. I tried a drug called meridia a weight loss drug recommended by the Canadian diabetes ■■■ $500 later not an ounce. Have switched novorapid for apidra. Will discuss problem with new GP see if he has any ideas. May try metformin but my body really doesnt like it. Went to gym 3/4 and will walk dog for at least as much. Have been eating less for a week again not an ounce lost so I am not sure that the first law of thermodynamics applies.
Yes, I do agree – the issue is that there are types of diabetes that have not been described, much less “enumerated”. Most of those probably fall under the Type 2 umbrella – but even that is uncertain – there is recent research showing autoimmunity in ostensible Type 2’s who are NOT LADA. There is also the issue of “thin” Type 2’s – the disease process is clearly different from obese Type 2’s. I also read recently that they have discovered a gene in Western Europeans that causes beta cell deterioration, but is not related to obesity.
Obviously, I have no answer to this whole issue. I just prefer to be in my doc’s records as a Type 1, not because I’m a classic Type 1 (I’m not), but because I get much better treatment and insurance coverage that way. I’m really sorry to say that is the case, especially since Type 2’s are the large majority of diabetics. But I would also say that, because of the extreme lack of knowledge among the medical profession and researchers about the real causes of Type 2, treatment is still really in the dark ages – “eat less and move more” does NOT cut it for a large percentage of Type 2’s. And none of the meds really does the job.
OK, I’m ranting, here’s the end!
Anthony, you’re one of the people I really think would benefit from low-carbing a la Bernstein. Have you read his book Diabetes Solution? He’s a Type 1, and his book applies to both types. It’s rather extreme, but some people really need this type of solution. You might be one of those people who really can’t tolerate carbs. Your genes are from the pre-agricultural revolution era, and grain and dairy just aren’t for you.
One of the benefits of increasing protein and fiber, and decreasing carbs is that you AREN’T hungry all the time. I didn’t believe that for years, until I tried it, and lo and behold, it works.
Also, low-carbing decreases your insulin dose by definition – if you’re dosing for fewer carbs, you’re taking less insulin.
At least it’s something to think about.
I’ve lost some weight since I went onto my pump. I’ve been trying to listen to my body better - i.e.: stop eating the minute I feel full . which means dosing for smaller portions, like half the meal serving size vs. the full meal serving size. I’ve been calorie counting (as this method has worked best for me, personally, everyone’s body seems to respond better to different weight loss methods) when I go out to eat and try to keep even eating out to a minimum and make meals at home instead.
I also try to exercise (which I’ve slacked off on recently) - I go to my apartment complex gym and use the elliptical machine or try to lift light free weights at home. Since going onto the pump I’ve lost 25 pounds and am aiming to lose 20 more.
I think what typically causes people to gain weight on the pump is the freedom to eat that it brings. For me it can be so easy to just whip out the pump and dose for this-or-that snack, which can really add up if I don’t keep an eye on it!
The phrase “insulin dependent” has always amused me. Everyone, diabetic or not, depends upon insulin - whether they make it themselves or have to inject it. :-p
But I could see how even type twos/those who still produce of a little of their own insulin could be considered “insulin dependent”, because at some point they would need it to adjust to get better blood sugar readings even if it isn’t on a constant basis like type ones without the ability to produce their own anymore. So long as an insulin injection is required for proper treatment I could see being labeled as “insulin dependent”.
Anthony, as others have said, if you go very low carb (e.g. the Dr. Bernstein’s plan) you HAVE to cut back on the insulin.
It’s a win-win. You can eat a rainbow of healthy vegetables as your carbs. We don’t need pasta, rice, bread, potatoes – and if you’re not eating them, you don’t have to cover them with all that insulin.
Dr. Bernstein talks about “the magic of small numbers” and this is part of it: the fewer carbs you eat, the less insulin you have to inject and the less fat your body will store as you’ve naturally (healthfully) lowered your insulin injections.
The good news for you is that men always lose weight more easily and more quickly than women of the same weight. Lucky you!
Just watch portions on the meat and fat (don’t eat the WHOLE cow) and the extra body fat will melt off and you won’t feel nearly as hungry because you won’t be spiking from all those carbs – you won’t be eating them, you’ll be eating moderate amounts of protein and fat which will leave you feeling very satiated.
Keep on top of testing and ramping back the insulin as you drop the carbs, though, so you don’t go hypo.
I totally agree with you. if I had no c-peptide 25 years ago, I sure wouldn’t ahve had any 4 years ago. Docs are all different, though.
A pump is a thought. Here in extremely capitalist canada is would be totally out of my pocket. Some long lived models are about $7000. Supplies are a fortune too. I wonder if there are disposable pumps that one can try?
Dear Natalie and JeanV.
Becoming religiously Bernstein is a thought. I don’t eat any patatoes (although my ancestors ate nearly only that and had no diabetes), bread, rice, ice cream, cereal, cookies, even oat bran and quinoa are out now. I am beyond Dr. B small numbers and need about 50 units for just the basal dose. I think he uses so much insulin in a week. I was thinking of going on a 100% sauerkraut diet with a bit of ham or pigs knuckles in it for flavour. Hard to see one overeating that. Will try and add metformin into the mix see if it does anything. trying 1 1/2 hour of exercise per day I think that is too much but will see.
If you go on a very low carb diet AND watch portions of your protein and fat, your basal will go down, too, not just your bolus.
type 2’s complaining about a restrictive diet is going to be typical. People that have been doing something for there whole are being told they have to change mid stream to prolong their survival beyond years. Folks don’t understand how hard it is. Try pulling teeth from a tiger or change the spot from a cheetah.
Years ago insulin dependent use to mean that you would die without insulin.
My wife has a recent A1c of 6% does that make her insulin dependent ? The doctor seemed not to worry but said we will keep an eye on it. Until when is the question? The pancreas dies completely ? She eats very low carb so hard to improve there. Exercise she does. The only thing I can see is a slight amount of insulin.
Betty’s definition of “die” also needs the qualification of how fast.