My aunt has been diagnosed since she was 23. Now, she is 55. Lately, she has been experiencing more symptoms with her neuropathy, so she took some medication for a few days. She experienced a hypoglycemia episode at night, severe, with chills, so she stopped taking the pills. A few days after stopping the pills, she had the worst episode of hypoglycemia of her life. Her blood sugar would barely rise after 15 g of sugar and about 20 minutes later it would start dropping again. She had to take 4 tablespoons of sugar to stop it, in the meanwhile her blood pressure went up to 170/80. She is currently on lantus, 30 units a day, taken at night and humalog three times a day (12-14 units each). However, even a week after she stopped the pills, she feels her blood sugar is not responding properly. For instance, last night, it went down nearly 6 hours after taking the lantus and humalog, by about 7 mg/ 30 minutes. She took two teaspoons of honey, it went up by about 30 mg in about 40 minutes, then it started going down again, in 15 minutes by 4 mg. Is this normal? Her endo says it is not due to the pills, but a normal response of her body to the insulin. Has anyone experienced similar responses while on lantus and humalog?
@miruna1803 , Welcome to Breakthrough T1D forum!
Yes is my response to the question you asked you asked at conclusion - I have reacted much like your aunt when I take even 1 extra unit of insulin.
I can’t give any “medical” advice here and I won’t comment on her insulin dose amounts without knowing her - her activity and what she eats, but I hope and trust that her doctor has offered suggestions for her to adjust [lower] her insulin dosing. Insulin needs can and will change over time and each of us need to remain aware of this and adjust accordingly; in your aunt’s case it is my recommendation that she check her BG hourly after a meal taken with 12 units of Humalog and reduce to Humalog if her BG returns to the premeal reading sooner than 3-4 hours after eating.
I’ve had Type1 for 60 years and for several I’ve noticed it takes longer for my numbers to rise when I’m treating a low. I’m guessing that may be a function of time living with diabetes. Does she follow up the day acting carbs with some foods with “staying power”? If not the numbers could fall again.
Insulin needs change from time to time - sharing with her Endo detailed records of her doses, meals, meds and exercise might help them see if any adjustments should be made.
This is a huge longshot but I thought the attached article on fragrances and their effects on the endocrine system might be of interest. I don’t know if those effects are immediate or cumulative (probably the later) but it might be worth looking into and maybe even doing a bit of personal experimentation to see if going fragrance free makes a difference - you never know. Here’s the relevant information, and a link to the article is at the bottom:
Our endocrine system is composed of multiple glands, including the thyroid and pituitary glands, that produce and regulate hormones — governing everything from our growth to reproduction. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, or EDCs, are in everyday products and can mimic and interfere with our body’s hormones. According to the Endocrine Society, hundreds of chemicals may be endocrine disrupters — if not more. PFAS are a well-known group of chemicals considered EDCs, and others, such as phthalates and parabens, are more commonly found in soaps, shampoos and beauty products — though they’re also in plenty of other places. Phthalates are even in our food.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/12/02/phthalates-perfume-safe-health-risks/