Help with Lantus dosing...

[Sonya NZ]

OK. Today I started my first home testing. I had reduced Archie's Lantus from the prescribed 3 units twice a day down to 1 unit, as at the time I did not have the ability to check his numbers. At 7:30 this morning I gave him 1.5units (untested). It is now 2:30pm, I have just tested and his number is 25.7. Very high! Clearly needs more insulin. Should I put him back on the 3units which was originally prescribed? Next shot is due around 7:30pm. I am on night shift tonight so not available to test him again until I get home in the morning....

Archie is 13 years old, with no other health issues. He enjoys a diabetic diet, which he was already on before diagnosis, due to another cat developing diabetes (now in remission).

Oh, we measure in mmol/l in New Zealand. I understand that the 'normal' for a cat is between 5-10.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Hi Sonya! Glad to see you came over here from the Facebook group!! I know you've been in the FB group for awhile...Have you had a chance to read all the information we have in the "Stickies" at the top of the Lantus Forum?

Lantus dosing is based on how LOW it takes them, so we don't worry a lot about the Pre-shot test numbers. Have you got any other tests on Archie yet?

I would hold his current dose until you can get some more tests in, especially mid-cycle tests so we know how low he's going. Most cats are started on about 1 unit, so 3 units is a huge starting dose and what could be happening is that Archie is going too low and then he's "bouncing". Bouncing is caused by 3 things....1.Going too low, 2. dropping too much, too quickly or 3. by just getting into numbers that his body isn't used to anymore (or a mix of the 3). The liver reacts by releasing stored sugars and hormones to bring them back up fast, so I have to wonder if Archie might be going too low, dropping quickly or just dropping to where he's not used to and he's "bouncing"

We have a spreadsheet we use here that's a very valuable tool and helps us to help advise you. Here are Instructions on getting the FDMB spreadsheet....depending on which type of meter you use (human or AlphaTrak), you'd want to use the "World" spreadsheet because it automatically converts the numbers you get into the mg/dl numbers most of us here in the US are used to seeing. If you have any trouble with it, let us know and we can help you get it set up. It's really easy to use....you just need a Google account and then you just enter the numbers as you get them and it does the rest!

Here is "Understanding the spreadsheet" to help explain how to use it too

The numbers we'd hope for would be 2.8-8.3 (on a human meter)...that converts to 50-120 in mg/dl (to convert your numbers, just multiply by 18)