General BG <50 question

Status
Not open for further replies.
LittleRoo

LittleRoo

Member Since 2017
Little Roo seems to be doing okay thus far on her ProZinc 1 unit twice a day schedule.
Mostly yellows and blues on her SS.
Tonight we got a surprising +3 BG of 68 in green. (Relion micro currently)
Our third time hitting the green. (wish they could all be so green!)

Just wondering - that last column of the SS in neon green: GB <50
Is that the beginning range (50 and below) of possible hypo?
What is the typical lower range numbers for hypo? (besides possible symptoms/non symptoms)
What number should have me alarmed and on high alert?

Thanks for any info... just keeping one eye open as always and educating myself every day some..

Little Roo send everyone purrs!! :cat:
 
Since you are testing with a human meter, your "take action" number is 50. Anything below 50 is time to start feeding a little gravy, HC food, Karo, etc. Obviously, the lower the number the more you'd need to give. For instance, my cat went down to 47 today, so I gave him about a tablespoon of gravy from a gravy food. That will usually bring him back up but it didn't today, so I gave him some more gravy and a bit of the gravy food, and that time it brought him back up. If he had been a lot lower I would have added Karo syrup to the gravy. Be aware, though, that the syrup, while fast-acting, only lasts about 20 minutes.
 
Squalliesmom said:
Since you are testing with a human meter, your "take action" number is 50. Anything below 50 is time to start feeding a little gravy, HC food, Karo, etc. Obviously, the lower the number the more you'd need to give. For instance, my cat went down to 47 today, so I gave him about a tablespoon of gravy from a gravy food. That will usually bring him back up but it didn't today, so I gave him some more gravy and a bit of the gravy food, and that time it brought him back up. If he had been a lot lower I would have added Karo syrup to the gravy. Be aware, though, that the syrup, while fast-acting, only lasts about 20 minutes.
Click to expand...

Thank you! I actually just tested her again +4 and she ran a 50!! I might give her that 'emergency higher FF canned carb food right now. I know human meters run lower but still trying hard to avoid hypo of any sort!
 
Okay so that was a first high alert low number experience to end the day! PMPS was 177. Shot 1 U. +3 was 50 which made me take note (and ironic because I posted the above message before that +3!) Gave her some higher carb FF canned wet just to be careful and she gobbled it up!! Tested again at +4.30 and level went up to 68. Tested with the Alpha on +4.45 and that read 122. Mommy feels slightly relived for now. Didn't give Karo either. Will have to see what her AMPS shows now... Mommy hopes to get some sleep as she HAS to go to work tomorrow. :nailbiting: zzzzz
 
Yong said:
You'll probably be wanting to reduce her dose to 0.75U now since 1.0U is proving to be a little much now. We don't want her dropping to 50 when you're not home ;)
Click to expand...

Hi Yong, thanks for chiming in!!!

Well, I can't really adjust her dose just yet until I get an okay from my vet. I'd also need different syringes and I would get them from my vet too. Roo's numbers are back in the typical yellows and blues right now... those greens are unusually low for her.. I def wouldn't shoot her if she were low and/or green and had to go to work! No way!!

I also had to fix her SS tonight too as I had it messed up in some spots!! One row is completely blank, don't know how I managed that! .. Thank God I write everything down here in a book!! Looking at her numbers tonight, I'm actually wondering if Roo might need to go up in dose soon. Maybe 1 and 1/2 unit? Makes me nervous as heck of course. I'm also worried my vet will want to go up to 2 units.. I can already foresee a battle on that 'cause I'd rather go slower and increase over time as needed. No rush! Slow and steady, right? Have to see where he wants to go I guess.

I also have yet to do a curve! I was terribly sick over the weekend, plus my best friends father passed away - and was in from out of town - so I couldn't get to the curve like I wanted :(
Is a typical curve 12 hours (testing every 2 hours)? Maybe I can do that this Saturday or Sunday. I'd really like to get one in before we do our follow up with the vet. I'll also use the AlphaTrak pet meter for the curve. That sucker is tough too!! Needs a lot more blood than the Relion it seems... Poor little Roo ears :(

Thanks for responding!! Roo sends :bighug:
 
With her going to 50 yesterday I really do not think she needs an increase. The yellow this morning is because she's bouncing from the low last night. Please do not increase her dose. Most of us do not consult our Vets with dose changes. :)

I'm sorry your friend's father passed and you were sick, you can try for a cure this weekend ;). Yes a typical curve starts with PS and then testing every 2 hours keeping feeding schedule the same and ending with next PS. I've found AT2 meter takes less blood than ReliOn Confirm/Micro, so that's interesting. Just make sure to firmly hold her poked spot between your finger and thumb for a few seconds up to like 10 if she'll let you. It promotes healing and reduces bruising, along with using a thin layer of Neosporin on her ears. Some use it every day, I do it a couple times a week. If she gives a PS of 170 or less, please do not give her insulin unless you'll be able to stay with her. She's doing very well :cat: and we want to keep her safe.
 
Yong said:
With her going to 50 yesterday I really do not think she needs an increase. The yellow this morning is because she's bouncing from the low last night. Please do not increase her dose. Most of us do not consult our Vets with dose changes. :)

I'm sorry your friend's father passed and you were sick, you can try for a cure this weekend ;). Yes a typical curve starts with PS and then testing every 2 hours keeping feeding schedule the same and ending with next PS. I've found AT2 meter takes less blood than ReliOn Confirm/Micro, so that's interesting. Just make sure to firmly hold her poked spot between your finger and thumb for a few seconds up to like 10 if she'll let you. It promotes healing and reduces bruising, along with using a thin layer of Neosporin on her ears. Some use it every day, I do it a couple times a week. If she gives a PS of 170 or less, please do not give her insulin unless you'll be able to stay with her. She's doing very well :cat: and we want to keep her safe.
Click to expand...

Okay, wow, didn't think about bouncing... and thanks for the well wishes. Sucky weekend that's for sure. Will do a curve this weekend!!

Does the AlphaTrak suck the blood easy like the Relion? And does The AlphaTrak suck it in at the center (like Relion) or on the side of the strip? I'll keep trying. I always rub her ear now pre-poke and add the Neosporin ointment (before and after.)

Do you really think 170 is too low for Relion then a shoot? I thought the normal range for Relion is 50 - 120. I feel basically okay to give insulin if she's over or around 170 or up near 200 . And AlphaTrak's normal range is 70 - 150 from what I understand.

I am seeing a LOT of green now in the late evening. And of course, it's when I have to go to bed! I have to work in the mornings. Mommy is very very tired.. I love seeing green but then worry when it gets to a low green....

Maybe you can take a look at her SS and see some insight? And is it possible to ever give a full 1 unit insulin in the AM and 1/2 unit in the PM? Or do does have to be consistent in amount both times.

Thanks for any info and help. I'm to bed now but will be back checking in here first thing in the morning..
Probably going to give her a little HC wet too before bed.. just to give her a boost up!

<3 :kiss:
 
LittleRoo said:
I'd also need different syringes and I would get them from my vet too.
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt if your vet will have U40 syringes with half unit markings....would be the first vet I ever heard of!

I'd just get a written script so you can get them from ADW (or have your vet call them in but make sure he/she tells them U40 with half unit markings!)
 
Chris & China said:
I seriously doubt if your vet will have U40 syringes with half unit markings....would be the first vet I ever heard of!

I'd just get a written script so you can get them from ADW (or have your vet call them in but make sure he/she tells them U40 with half unit markings!)
Click to expand...

I shall try and ask my vet. Doubt he's going to like me taking over. ADW is great! That's where I ordered Roo's AlphaTRak and strips! Do I have to have a written script to order them from ADW? Thanks for the tips! xo
 
LittleRoo said:
The AlphaTrak suck it in at the center (like Relion) or on the side of the strip?
Click to expand...

On the side

LittleRoo said:
Do you really think 170 is too low for Relion then a shoot? I thought the normal range for Relion is 50 - 120. I feel basically okay to give insulin if she's over or around 170 or up near 200 . And AlphaTrak's normal range is 70 - 150 from what I understand.
Click to expand...

You understand right.....the thing we're all concerned with is that 1U may be too much because of how low it's taking him.....Now while 50 is the "time to act" point, if you're not able to be home to test during the day, we wouldn't want him to drop too low when you're not there

LittleRoo said:
And is it possible to ever give a full 1 unit insulin in the AM and 1/2 unit in the PM? Or do does have to be consistent in amount both times.
Click to expand...

With ProZinc, it is possible to give separate dosage, but generally we like to see the same dose both AM and PM without the big drops....but I'll leave that for the ProZinc people! You might want to start posting in the ProZinc forum (you can still post here too) and get some experienced eyes
 
LittleRoo said:
Does the AlphaTrak suck the blood easy like the Relion? And does The AlphaTrak suck it in at the center (like Relion) or on the side of the strip? I'll keep trying. I always rub her ear now pre-poke and add the Neosporin ointment (before and after.)
Click to expand...
Like Chris said, AT2 strips sucks the blood on the side.
LittleRoo said:
Do you really think 170 is too low for Relion then a shoot? I thought the normal range for Relion is 50 - 120. I feel basically okay to give insulin if she's over or around 170 or up near 200 . And AlphaTrak's normal range is 70 - 150 from what I understand.
Click to expand...
Yes normal ranges are 50 - 120 on ReliOn and about 68 - 150 on AT2 meter, so when they are closer to these normal numbers on their own, we don't want to give insulin because it will drop them below normal. That's why we suggest not giving insulin below PS reading of 200 to start, and when you get more experience that No Shoot number can come down a little. If you get to a point where you are administering insulin between 170 - 200, you won't give the full dose.
LittleRoo said:
I am seeing a LOT of green now in the late evening. And of course, it's when I have to go to bed! I have to work in the mornings. Mommy is very very tired.. I love seeing green but then worry when it gets to a low green....
Click to expand...
Yes the greens are nice but it's safer for her to only stay in the high green numbers, 80's or 90's, while you're sleeping or at work ;)
LittleRoo said:
Maybe you can take a look at her SS and see some insight? And is it possible to ever give a full 1 unit insulin in the AM and 1/2 unit in the PM? Or do does have to be consistent in amount both times.
Click to expand...
It is possible, but also as Chris stated, insulins prefer consistent dosing. The 1.0U is showing to be too much so if you reduced the PM dose to 0.5U, she may bounce up. By lowering the overall dose, we'll get two preshot numbers that are closer together and more stable for her :).
LittleRoo said:
Probably going to give her a little HC wet too before bed.. just to give her a boost up!
Click to expand...
This can be OK if you really can't stay up with her but I know if my boy gives me a low 50 number before bed, I have to stay up with him and steer. The HC wet food alone was probably enough, those Temptations can make their BG go really high. Don't be surprised if she's higher this morning and if she's, Do NOT increase the dose.

For your syringes, I did not need a prescription when I order any of mine from ADW. Make sure to get the one's with half unit markings. Here's the link for the syringes I used with Prozinc: https://www.adwdiabetes.com/product/16363/carepoint-vet-u-40-syringe-29g-half-unit
 
Roo's AMPS is 276. Thinking 1 unit? Or should I eyeball it and give 1/2 now. And then 1/2 again tonight?
 
Yong said:
I would say try to do the 0.5U today since you're probably headed to work :). If she's around 200 for PMPS, then yes you can do 0.5U then as well.
Click to expand...

So Roo's AMPS this morning was 276 on Relion which was around her normal high so I went ahead and gave her the 1 unit and went to work. I haven't called my vet yet (was super busy today) but I am also nervous to call and ask him for the 1/2 unit marked syringes. He was adamant and stressed the importance about using the specific syringes he gave me for that type of insulin and her getting 1 unit twice a day of ProZinc.

Thinking, should I eyeball half of her usual 1 unit tonight on the syringes I have? And see how that goes?

I also wanted to ask, how often should I test for Ketones? I got one so far, luckily, which tested negative.

Thanks for any info!
~suzanne & Little Roo (little stinker lol!)
 
Okay, so I actually just spoke to my vet - I left a message and he called back. Told him about wanting to try a 1/2 dose, Roo's low numbers & my sleep and not being able to monitor, and her bouncing a bit. He said to go ahead and eyeball her dose to 1/2 and try that twice a day (starting tonight) for one week and see how she does. Then come in and test her Fructosame and her BG at the vet and we can compare numbers. He also said he doesn't have the U40 syringes with 1/2 unit markings - he usually prescribes 1 full units. He also mentioned not chasing her numbers too much and getting into a roller coaster.

Well, sounds good to me for now. I'll PMPS test her in about a half hour, feed everyone late dinner, and shoot Roo with 1/2 unit around 9pm.

Hope her + numbers stay upper greens or low blues so she doesn't go hypo and so mommy can get some regular sleep tonight...
 
Not surprising the Vet doesn't carry half unit marked syringes. They are different syringes, they are still U-40 syringes for Prozinc but they have a half unit marker on them making it easier for those 0.5U doses :).

As long as she isn't prone to developing ketones, usually meaning she's had a DKA episode, testing weekly is fine to stay on it. If you ever notice her numbers staying higher than usual, it's always good to try and get another ketone test.
I'll be here if you want to post your PMPS before you feed her. :)
 
Crazy... just tested Roo PMPS with relion and she is 328!! First time home testing such a high Magenta number!
Thinking I should give 1 unit now? ugg.. :banghead:
 
Is it because I gave her FF wet food snack at 6pm? I've been holding out on the 6pm food but gave in tonight because everyone was so hungry!!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top