Glucose levels

[Heather Hazel]

Hey everyone, really need help understanding the numbers. My Angel is getting one unit of basaglar twice a day and very recently diagnosed with diabetes. Last night her level was 245, 5 hours after eating. Today, immediately prior to eating she was at 372. I’ll test again tonight but not sure what the numbers mean. Is it normal for her to test at such a high number prior to eating?

 

[tiffmaxee]

Welcome. It’s quite normal when first starting Lantus to be high at shot time. When did you start Lantus? I’m going to give you some links to read so we can help you. We use a spreadsheet to track bg so I will give you that like. There’s another so you can set up a signature. You can look at mine. We need to know whether you are using a human or pet meter and what you are feeding Angel. Lantus is a depot insulin so it takes about a week to build up to see how low the initial dose will take her.

 

[tiffmaxee]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/posting-guidelines-please-read.231511/

 

[tiffmaxee]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/the-basics-new-to-the-group-start-here.18139/

 

[tiffmaxee]

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/what-is-the-insulin-depot.150/

 

[tiffmaxee]

This link will explain the dosing methods we use here. No need to decide right away. Just set up your spreadsheet and signature. If you need help with t spreadsheet say so and we have a couple people that can set you up in a couple minutes.

https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/thr...-low-go-slow-slgs-tight-regulation-tr.210110/

 

[Wendy&Neko]

s it normal for her to test at such a high number prior to eating?

Hello and welcome. If you haven't read the yellow starred Sticky Notes yet, I highly recommend them. Elise did link one of them for you. In the New to the Group Sticky Note is a description of a typical Lantus/Basaglar cycle, that will help answer your question on higher preshot numbers.

Example of an ACTIVE, but NOT necessarily typical Lantus/Basaglar cycle:
NOTE: Until kitty is pretty well regulated, the description below is NOT not what you'd consider a "typical" Lantus/Basaglar cycle. It takes time and patience for kitty to achieve a "typical" cycle! The example below is what you're working towards (a nice shallow curve). A relatively flat cycle is the ultimate goal.

+0 - PreShot number.
+1 - Usually higher than PreShot number because of the last shot wearing off. May see a food spike in this number.
+2 - Often similar to the PreShot number. Onset begins around +2 for most cats. You'll probably see an active cycle if the +2 is the same/similar OR lower than the preshot number. Continue testing!
+3 - Often lower than the PreShot number.
+4 - Lower.
+5 - Lower.
+6 - Nadir/Peak (the lowest number of cycle. NOTE: ECID. Not every cat has a mid-cycle nadir. Adjust the hours on this example to fit your cat.)
+7 - Surf (hang around the nadir number).
+8 - Slight rise.
+9 - Slight rise.
+10 - Rising.
+11 - Rising (one of the quirks of Lantus/Basaglar/Levemir: some cat's blood glucose numbers dip around +10 or +11... not to be confused with nadir).
+12 - PreShot number.

However, please keep in mind every cat is different (ECID). Data collection will offer you a better picture of YOUR cat's response to either of these insulins.

Initially, don't expect to see "active" cycles after every single shot whether you're using Lantus/Basaglar or Levemir. Chances are, your kitty had diabetes for some time before diagnosis. It requires time for kitty's body to become used to dropping into lower numbers than their bodies have become accustomed. Don't expect immediate results! Regulation takes time and patience:

While you are here, you might want to look around at other people's spreadsheets. Especially for new people. It'll give you and idea what to expect in the beginning.