Question about low carbing and carb ratios.

[v-effect]

Hi all,

It's been a few years since I started low carbing (around 30 carbs a day). Over this time, my carb ratio has dropped from 1: 15 to 1:3. I'm wondering if this is an effect of low carbing. Would people mind a survey?

What is your total carb load per day?
What is your carb ratio?

I am thinking about adding some carbs back in, but the amounts of insulin I'll have to take are a little nuts. Any idea of how long it might take to get back to a reasonable carb ratio (if indeed low carbing is the cause?).


Thanks!

V.

[dancinbr]

Hi all,

It's been a few years since I started low carbing (around 30 carbs a day). Over this time, my carb ratio has dropped from 1: 15 to 1:3. I'm wondering if this is an effect of low carbing. Would people mind a survey?

What is your total carb load per day?
What is your carb ratio?

I am thinking about adding some carbs back in, but the amounts of insulin I'll have to take are a little nuts. Any idea of how long it might take to get back to a reasonable carb ratio (if indeed low carbing is the cause?).


Thanks!

V.

V - Not quite sure what you mean by carb ratio? Do you mean total percentage of intake that is carbs as in the wonderful food pyramid that talks about 60% carbs, 30% protein, 10% fat?

Is this what you mean.

And also congratulations for being able to stick to the 30gm of carbs a day.

When I am being strick I can get to that but generally I am between 30-60 on most days and on other days I go as high as 100 grams.

With respect to insulin it is nuts. I use 40 units AM and PM of Levemir and I use 1 unit per 8 carbs of Novolog before meals.

I am holding to a good A1C; most recent being 5.2.

I am also seriously considering bariatric surgery at this point.

I am accumulating too many risks: Sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes, morbid obesity.

I have not been successful in getting my weight down. Over the years I have yo yo'd, which is not good.

Thanks,

Ralph

[v-effect]

Thanks Ralph- I mean insulin to carb ratio. How many mealtime units do you take to cover for a certain number of carbs? Which you answered. Has this number changed since going low carb?

V

[dancinbr]

Thanks Ralph- I mean insulin to carb ratio. How many mealtime units do you take to cover for a certain number of carbs? Which you answered. Has this number changed since going low carb?

V

Hi - Now I understand. Sorry.

When I first started I had to find my right basal requirement, which ended up being "industrial doses" of Levemir. I slowly increased my am and pm doses up to the eventual 40 units am and 40 units pm until I could keep my BG levels between 80-100.

During this time, I kept my daily carb intake low since I realize a higher carb load would impact my basal numbers as well.

Once I had this figured out I began to slowly figure out what my bolus requirement would be to cover different kinds of carb intake.

What I found initially was I needed 1 unit of Novolog to cover 5 carbs of the variety such as bread, cake, etc.

While working with the 1:5 ratio for some time I often ended up with readings that would head down too low. So I backed off my ratio just a bit and manage better.

I allow my BG to go up as high as 140 1 hour post priandal and 120 2 hours post priandal. Did I spell that right?

By doing this my readings have been staying comfortably between 80 or so up to 140. When I overindulge and my reading gets above 140 after 2 hours I will immediately cover with an additional Novolog injection using the 1:8.

I also found one time when I did get quite sick with bronchitis I had to back off tremendously on my basal insulin to almost half or 20 in the am and 20 in the pm since my BG readings were dropping into low 50s, 60s and 70s. I think it had to do with the anti-biotic I was on for 20 days.

I hope this helped you with your post and question.

As I said I am considering bariatric surgery be it the lap band or perhaps the full bypass to get my weight down. I am reasonably certain this will dramatically reduce my insulin needs both Levemir and Novolog.

Cajunboy has been working with me to see if he can help me alter my eating habits, since it does come back to that. I have never been able to eat a lot. Anytime I went over 2000 calories a day, I started to gain weight. It has been a lifelong struggle. I am a big guy 5 foot 11 and large frame.

I have always been a "fit fatty" staying in reasonably good shape with activity and aerobics. Lately, (the last 2 years) with everything that has gone on in my home I let the gym membership expire. I used to get to the gym 3 or 4 times per week and burn off 800-1000 calories per workout. Even then my best weight was around 260. Again, the eating habit.

I still walk a mile at least 3 or times a week but that is a far cry from my gym regiment. Lots of adjustments will occur this year to get me down to 200 or even less.

Ralph