to answer your question, no, diabetics don’t leave their sugar high that long. Insulin average is about 4 hours or more. So if it’s been past this time frame you need a correction dose. You will need to know your correction ratio to achieve this. Your doctor will help you develop this over time. But here is a quick formula for your education.
If your correction ratio was 1/10, meaning 1 unit of insulin drops your glucose 10mg/dL. If your goal is 130 mg/dL and you are currently have a glucose of 286 mg/dL here is your results.
(Current Glucose - Goal) / Correction Ratio(X) = Units needed for goal
(286 - 130)/10=15.6 units needed to hit 130
If your ratio is 1/30
(286-130)/30=5.2 units needed
The X factor in there are the little things like working out, high activity, sitting in the sun will all change your sensitive for a moment. and you will need to lower your dosage by a percentage. This is also something you learn and develop over time.
These ratios are different for everyone and can also change over time as you become less insulin sensitive. But your doctor and/or educators will help you with this.
see an endocrinologist. PCPs can’t be certified in type I, many are in type II, but we are a different ball game.
you need to carb count. Doesn’t matter if you eat 1 carb or 100. You need to know that number. Additionally, I would really recommend staying off low carb diets for newly diagnosed patients for sure. Since most are very insulin sensitive and might need lower doses of insulin. If you starve your body of carbs you essentially are making it harder for yourself to learn.
record your carbs in a journal and the amount of insulin taken, plus what was your reading 4 hours later? Data is your friend. Can be in a jounal book or an app like MyNetDiary for diabetics. But data is king. Don’t go to your doctor with feelings and expect real solutions or results. All type I diabetes will become is a big math problem, so best you start learning. Also record your insulin doses at your fav restaurants and meals. We essentially are creatures of habit and it’s good to know these numbers. Over time you learn what you need depending on where you eat.
I would suggest speaking to more than one diabetic specialist, they are not all created equal!!! The doctor should be willing to spend enough time with you to explain why you are adjusting your medications and how to empower you to adjust them on your own as necessary. I remember once back in the early 90’s I saw a doctor who wanted to make a big change up in my insulin regimen. When I asked why, I was told “because I am the doctor” I believe I told him to kiss my … and never saw him again. (On a side note I have spoken to other diabetics who had similar experiences with him)
Shortly after that I saw another doctor who suggested doing a similar switch but took the time to explain it. I wound up following that protocol for more than 20 years until I recently switched to a pump. Over the years I have switched endocrinologists probably about 5 or 6 times for various reasons When following their advice your sugar should for the most part be under control. There will be highs and lows, nobody is perfect. The main thing is to watch your numbers and keep track of your dosages. Forgive my rambling, I am new to this forum but have been insulin dependent for more than 40 years and have more stories than I would like to admit… please message me if you have any questions.
Hi Michael, interesting how you say not all diabetic doctors are “created equal”. I’ll expand on that some.
A “Diabetic Doctor” is a medical practitioner who her/himself has diabetes and may or may not be an individual who specialized in treatment of diabetes.
A “Doctor specializing in diabetes management”, such as an endocrinologist does not necessarily personally have diabetes.
The best source of advice for our management of diabetes is an endocrinologist who has diabetes and has learned how best to manage the condition.
I had the fortune of working with the latter. I had been consulting with a very knowledgable and progressive endocrinologist and learning much about my diabetes management from him. When he was about 60 years of age, he was diagnosed with TypeOne; at my next consultation with him, he opened with the words, “… now I understand what you have been trying to teach me all these years”.
I don’t believe I have ever been to a doctor with diabetes. However I have been to various endocrinologists specializing in diabetes. Some better than others, but the better ones all were approachable and would listen and explain…