Hi Shelly, the following is from the Basics stick.
It describes a active lantus cycle, and is the reasoning behind why we often ask for tests at certain times, we are looking for onset, and nadir for a given cat.
Not every cat onset at the same time and a given cat can change its onset from one cycle to another. Getting to know fistuks patterns is what its all about.
I'll use George as an example, once he started having active cycles his onset was around d +1 to+3
How did I recognise onset? A significant drop in bg from PS signalled onset.
Usually if he onset at +1, he would drop like a rock, so I knew I had to be vigilant
The later he onset the more gentle the cycle would be. With an early onset he usually nafired earlier. Nadirs can happen at any time too, George for instance nadired usually at +5/6 but he did nadir as early as +2 and as late as +12
Learning this gave me the opportunity to manage him more confidently.
Anyways here's the info from the basics sticky
Example of an ACTIVE, but NOT necessarily typical Lantus and glargine biosimilars cycle:
NOTE: Until kitty is pretty well regulated, the description below is NOT not what you'd consider a "typical" Lantus/Basaglar/Semglee 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/Levemir/Biosimilars: some cat's blood glucose numbers dip around +10 or +11... not to be confused with nadir).
+12 - PreShot number.
An active Levemir cycle will have an onset at approximately +4 and a nadir around +8 - +10. 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, Levemir or Biosimilars. 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:
- Also worth noting: "Many cats will occasionally react to an increased dose with increased BGs - within the first 2 to 3 days after an increase, usually lasting for less than 24 hours. Nobody really knows what the reason for this phenomenon is (perhaps a "panicky liver"?) - hold the dose and ignore the fluctuations." http://www.tillydiabetes.net/en_6_protocol2.htm. Here in the Lantus, Levemir, and Biosimilars Insulin Support Group (ISG), we've affectionately dubbed this unexplained phenomenon "New Dose Wonkiness" (NDW).
Because I just want to know what's going on LoL. But I look at his energy and he's becoming more himself every day, especially in the past couple of days. That's a great indication.