Re: seeing an endocrinologist - establishing your carb to insulin ratio

[Guest guest]

Sky,

I count carbs and shoot according to my carb load. This is how I got

to the " right " numbers for me.

The " book " numbers are 15 grams of carb per unit of insulin. That is a

good place to start. Calculate the number of carbs in the meal. This

is the trickiest part but you will eventually get good at it - if you

are not already doing it. Shoot the amount of insulin you calculate

and test, test, test to see how you are doing. Adjust the insulin

dosage according to your numbers. This will, in effect, take you

probably one to two weeks. Do not get discouraged - it is definitely

trial and error.

By doing this I found that my ratio was 7 grams of carbs per unit of

Novolog (which has a similar action profile to Humulog). My system has

recently taken a downturn and I had to recalculate my carb/insulin

ratio - it now appears to be 5 to 1. Can't ever rest with this damn

disease!.

I eat out quite a bit and have found that splitting the dose is

effective. The method: the appetizer comes - look at and shoot for it.

When the main course comes estimate carbs and shoot insulin. Estimate

for the dessert (if you are having one) and shoot the proper amount of

insulin.

BTW - before starting Novolog I was LOW carbing to maintain (about 30

grams of carb per day). Now I consume around 130-150 grams of carb per

day and I do occasionally eat a large carby meal like I described above.

Lot of luck and let us know how you are doing.

Jerry