12/17 Ivy AMPS 282, +3.5 190, +6 163, +9 207, Pmps 187, +3.35 65 Libre

Staci & Ivy

Staci & Ivy

Member Since 2022
2/16/26

AMPS 282 Libre

Bit of a bounce this morning after a nice lower cycle last night on the second dose of an increase.
She seems to have a dip on dose #2 these days. We slept on the sofa together (well she visited me a few times for kneads and purrs and to take over my pillow that she really enjoys) 🥰
Seems she's come back down a bit gently today, let's hope for a bit lower 💚💚
Will give this dose a few days to see what she can do.
I really hate that she's back to much higher insulin needs in the past month. Wish I knew WHY!:banghead:

I am still needing to help her eat her snacks, she seems to mostly have abandoned her interest in eating them on her own. Exhausting for me. But at least I can get her to eat.:banghead:

Have a boring day with safe surfs and GOOD eating everyone 🌊🏄‍♀️🏄‍♂️😻
 
frustrating for sure.. but the kitties need what they need at the time right?.. 💘🥲🫶🏼 but going back up is just hard to do.. tough. but yay again for her T4!!!
 
Hopefully she responds to the new dose, maybe she just needs a little more time to adjust 🤗 The very tiny increase to Xander's dose recently didn't seem to change much.
Staci & Ivy said:
I am still needing to help her eat her snacks, she seems to mostly have abandoned her interest in eating them on her own. Exhausting for me. But at least I can get her to eat.:banghead:

Have a boring day with safe surfs and GOOD eating everyone 🌊🏄‍♀️🏄‍♂️😻
Click to expand...
I know what you mean about how exhausting it is 😮‍💨 Xander only eats small portions at a time, so I feed him more times than I care to admit
 
Staci, Just something to consider: Is there any chance that the thyroid issue is causing some insulin resistance? I was searching online, and I found this. It's a bit dated, from 1989: Impairment of glucose tolerance in hyperthyroid cats - PubMed

And then I asked ChatGPT if a cat with hyperthyroidism can experience insulin resistance, and this is what it reported:

"Yes—hyperthyroidism in cats can contribute to insulin resistance, and it can make diabetes harder to control. Here’s why:

How hyperthyroidism affects insulin​

Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones) speeds up a cat’s metabolism. That has several effects that interfere with insulin:
  1. Increased glucose production
    • Thyroid hormones stimulate the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream.
    • More circulating glucose means insulin has to work harder.
  2. Faster insulin breakdown
    • Hyperthyroid cats often metabolize insulin more quickly, so doses may not last as long.
  3. Hormonal stress response
    • Hyperthyroidism increases levels of stress hormones (like cortisol and catecholamines), which are known to oppose insulin’s action.
  4. Weight and muscle changes
    • Muscle loss and metabolic changes can alter how tissues respond to insulin.

What this looks like clinically​

In a cat with both diabetes and hyperthyroidism, you may see:
  • Rising blood glucose despite increasing insulin doses
  • Loss of regulation in a previously stable diabetic cat
  • Weight loss even when appetite is strong
  • Increased thirst and urination that seem worse than expected

Important practical point​

Many veterinarians try to stabilize the hyperthyroidism first (with methimazole, radioactive iodine, or diet when appropriate). Once thyroid levels normalize, insulin needs often decrease and glucose control becomes easier.

Something experienced caregivers often notice​

In feline-diabetes communities, people sometimes see a pattern:
  • Cat becomes harder to regulate
  • Insulin dose creeps up
  • Bloodwork later shows hyperthyroidism
So thyroid testing is commonly recommended when regulation suddenly changes, especially in older cats."

Of course, each of those assertions should (and can) be researched independently to verify accuracy.

Again, just something to consider.
 
Albert & Xander said:
Hopefully she responds to the new dose, maybe she just needs a little more time to adjust 🤗 The very tiny increase to Xander's dose recently didn't seem to change much.

I know what you mean about how exhausting it is 😮‍💨 Xander only eats small portions at a time, so I feed him more times than I care to admit
Click to expand...
She does seem to be responding to this dose. It’s so odd that she was on a much lower dose then suddenly needs more insulin.
It must have to do with the thyroid as well, as Mary posted.
It’s definitely complicated 😭

I understand about all of the feedings. It’s a lot we must do to keep them eating well.
You give him wonderful care, he’s such a lucky boy ❤️‍🩹💓❤️
 
Mary & Jude said:
Staci, Just something to consider: Is there any chance that the thyroid issue is causing some insulin resistance? I was searching online, and I found this. It's a bit dated, from 1989: Impairment of glucose tolerance in hyperthyroid cats - PubMed

And then I asked ChatGPT if a cat with hyperthyroidism can experience insulin resistance, and this is what it reported:

"Yes—hyperthyroidism in cats can contribute to insulin resistance, and it can make diabetes harder to control. Here’s why:

How hyperthyroidism affects insulin​

Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of thyroid hormones) speeds up a cat’s metabolism. That has several effects that interfere with insulin:
  1. Increased glucose production
    • Thyroid hormones stimulate the liver to release more glucose into the bloodstream.
    • More circulating glucose means insulin has to work harder.
  2. Faster insulin breakdown
    • Hyperthyroid cats often metabolize insulin more quickly, so doses may not last as long.
  3. Hormonal stress response
    • Hyperthyroidism increases levels of stress hormones (like cortisol and catecholamines), which are known to oppose insulin’s action.
  4. Weight and muscle changes
    • Muscle loss and metabolic changes can alter how tissues respond to insulin.

What this looks like clinically​

In a cat with both diabetes and hyperthyroidism, you may see:
  • Rising blood glucose despite increasing insulin doses
  • Loss of regulation in a previously stable diabetic cat
  • Weight loss even when appetite is strong
  • Increased thirst and urination that seem worse than expected

Important practical point​

Many veterinarians try to stabilize the hyperthyroidism first (with methimazole, radioactive iodine, or diet when appropriate). Once thyroid levels normalize, insulin needs often decrease and glucose control becomes easier.

Something experienced caregivers often notice​

In feline-diabetes communities, people sometimes see a pattern:
  • Cat becomes harder to regulate
  • Insulin dose creeps up
  • Bloodwork later shows hyperthyroidism
So thyroid testing is commonly recommended when regulation suddenly changes, especially in older cats."

Of course, each of those assertions should (and can) be researched independently to verify accuracy.

Again, just something to consider.
Click to expand...
Thanks, Mary. I’m sure it has a lot to do with all of this. So many things working against each other.
It makes it all so complicated 😫
Thank you for sharing the information you found 🥰🙏💕
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top