Diabetes: Exercise and Insulin?
I know that exercise lowers blood sugar. I exercise in the morning after checking my blood sugar. I then check after I exercise. I take long acting insulin once a day in the morning – it is my understanding that as long as my blood sugar is at least 85, it is ok to take my insulin. I have a latte in the morning with 12 ounces of fat free milk shortly after and eat about 45 mins after. At what blood sugar level should I be concerned about taking my insulin? -Is 85 even too low? Also, with exercise – can I trust the reading I take after? Will it go down much after that or is the reaction to exercise fairly immediate? I am new to this whole diabetes thing and am just trying to learn the ropes. I have a medical team but I also find this community to be very informative so I thank you in advance for your response.
A true ‘low’ isn’t, for most people, 70 or below. Many t1’s wont consider it ‘low’ until 65. You should STILL take your ‘long acting’ insulin even if your blood sugar IS low when you test in the morning, because your blood sugar WILL continue to rise, even if you don’t eat, until your insulin begins to work- and even then, it’s long acting, so it’s not as though it’ll all crash in on you.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hypo, or are under what you consider ‘dangerous’, eat or drink something- and your drink counts for that purpose. But again, take your insulin.
Working out can result in hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, as you know. You should test at some point during or after your workout, especially if you notice any symptoms, and keep glucose tablets with you. For some people, reactions can be delayed, but that’s something you’ll have to figure out on your own- this is where the meter is your best friend.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Not sure about some of your specific questions but you might be too cautious. Not everything you read, even from your doctor is always right. I do not believe type 2 diabetics should ever use insulin. Insulin is the problem, not sugar. After many years of abusing your pancreas, insulin maybe required. You say you are new to this, so either your pancreas is completely wore out, or you are being mistreated. For instance, why would you use fat free milk? Guess what they add to make up for the fat. Yep, sugar, in the form of powdered milk. I use heavy cream.
References :
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/07/14/insulin-part-one.aspx
November 24th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
ace, sometimes people need insulin straight off.
High blood sugar is lethal, results in eye, pancreatic, nerve, and all other organ damage.
Ignore that.
I don’t know the UK to USA conversions, but the Doc;s and nurses, if thtey are diabetes trained, know the safe level for you,
Again, in the UK legally all that is in fat free milk, is milk. No sugar added.
Cream is so bad for you.
The reaction time depends on what exersise, how much, what you ate before etc.
I’d test my sugars just after, 1/2 hour, then hour after. Just a couple of times to see.
High intensity exersise can make it go down quick, yoga can take longer and less.
You can always trust the reading, the important thing is whether it’s going up or down from that point.
Good luck.
References :
November 24th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
A true ‘low’ isn’t, for most people, 70 or below. Many t1’s wont consider it ‘low’ until 65. You should STILL take your ‘long acting’ insulin even if your blood sugar IS low when you test in the morning, because your blood sugar WILL continue to rise, even if you don’t eat, until your insulin begins to work- and even then, it’s long acting, so it’s not as though it’ll all crash in on you.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a hypo, or are under what you consider ‘dangerous’, eat or drink something- and your drink counts for that purpose. But again, take your insulin.
Working out can result in hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, as you know. You should test at some point during or after your workout, especially if you notice any symptoms, and keep glucose tablets with you. For some people, reactions can be delayed, but that’s something you’ll have to figure out on your own- this is where the meter is your best friend.
References :