Quick advice needed on insulin amounts

May 22, 2012 21:00

goodglucosegirl DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 10 posts

Is there anybody out there that could give me some quick advice on this? I took my QA at 5.50pm tonight and my blood glucose at 2110 (9.10pm) was 14.5. I thought I'd give it a while and test again which I have just done and my BG is now 12.9 - so still dropping by the look of it. However, I thought that the QA would be out of my system by now (4 hours after i took the QA) and am a tad unsure on whether or not to let it go and see if it continues to drop or take a couple of units of QA to get me in target?

Any quick advice gratefully received ( because I want to go to bed Smile

May 22, 2012 23:25

Moris DAFNE Graduate
The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 9 posts

Most of your QA is out of your system in four hours, but I would not discount its total effect for 5 or 5 1/2 hours.
Moris.
Sleep well.

May 23, 2012 15:17

goodglucosegirl DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 10 posts

Thanks Moris. I decided to leave it and not take any more QA. Woke up this morning to a blood glucose of 11.2 so my BI is holding well so that's good Smile I think I'll repost this for the health care professionals as I'd been told on my Dafne course that the QA is in the system for 2-4 hours - best be sure eh?

Thanks again for your response.

May 23, 2012 19:29

marke Site Administrator
South East Kent PCT 681 posts

which QA are you on, you don't say. Generally Moris is right that it can be 'active' for 5 hours but that depends on the exact type of insulin AND how your body uses it so its not an exact science. Every insulin has a 'profile' and there are a number of these shown in the handbook ( including the online version). Generally they take a period of time to 'peak' usually around 30 mins and then their effect tails off over time so after 4-5 hours they are not so effective but still have some effect. You would be best to speak to your DAFNE team that should be able to explain the details of the exact insulin you are on.

May 23, 2012 20:13

goodglucosegirl DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire 10 posts

Thanks Marke. You are quite right - i should have looked at my handbook to check - thanks for the reminder. I'm on Novorapid which could be still working in my system up to 5 hours after taking it so I reckon I made the right decision not to take more novorapid last night - I corrected this morning and everything has been great since then.

Thanks for your response.

May 22, 2012 21:00 goodglucosegirl DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 10 posts	Is there anybody out there that could give me some quick advice on this? I took my QA at 5.50pm tonight and my blood glucose at 2110 (9.10pm) was 14.5. I thought I'd give it a while and test again which I have just done and my BG is now 12.9 - so still dropping by the look of it. However, I thought that the QA would be out of my system by now (4 hours after i took the QA) and am a tad unsure on whether or not to let it go and see if it continues to drop or take a couple of units of QA to get me in target? Any quick advice gratefully received ( because I want to go to bed
May 22, 2012 23:25 Moris DAFNE Graduate The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 9 posts	Most of your QA is out of your system in four hours, but I would not discount its total effect for 5 or 5 1/2 hours. Moris. Sleep well.
May 23, 2012 15:17 goodglucosegirl DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 10 posts	Thanks Moris. I decided to leave it and not take any more QA. Woke up this morning to a blood glucose of 11.2 so my BI is holding well so that's good I think I'll repost this for the health care professionals as I'd been told on my Dafne course that the QA is in the system for 2-4 hours - best be sure eh? Thanks again for your response.
May 23, 2012 19:29 marke Site Administrator South East Kent PCT 681 posts	which QA are you on, you don't say. Generally Moris is right that it can be 'active' for 5 hours but that depends on the exact type of insulin AND how your body uses it so its not an exact science. Every insulin has a 'profile' and there are a number of these shown in the handbook ( including the online version). Generally they take a period of time to 'peak' usually around 30 mins and then their effect tails off over time so after 4-5 hours they are not so effective but still have some effect. You would be best to speak to your DAFNE team that should be able to explain the details of the exact insulin you are on.
May 23, 2012 20:13 goodglucosegirl DAFNE Graduate NHS Lanarkshire 10 posts	Thanks Marke. You are quite right - i should have looked at my handbook to check - thanks for the reminder. I'm on Novorapid which could be still working in my system up to 5 hours after taking it so I reckon I made the right decision not to take more novorapid last night - I corrected this morning and everything has been great since then. Thanks for your response.