Low end of normal but not sure what to do now

[Buffy-&-Cindee]

Two of three tests today were within normal range. The one I just took is at 114 (low end of the AlphaTrak range) She's dropped 47 points since 4:30PM which is when she ate last. Is it safe to give her last shot tonight? I'm worried if she drops another 40+ points that she'll be too low. Oh, she didn't eat a lot at 4:30, maybe a tablespoon and a half.

Cindee

 

[Buffy-&-Cindee]

Panic averted! LOL I called the local Animal Emergency and they told me that because she's on Lantus and as long as she eats, it's ok to give her the shot even though she's at the low end of "normal". She ate really well, so I feel confident that she'll be fine. Can't wait to see what her numbers are like in the morning.

 

[BJM]

Cindee

Sorry no one responded fast for you. Have you had a chance to look over the Tight Regulation and the Start Low Go Slow protocols for Lantus and Levemir? Here is some reading for you.

Generally, we suggest new users not shoot below 200 mg/dL on a human meter unless there is mid-cycle test data to show it is safe. That means the glucose remains above 50 mg/dl on a human meter, or 68 mg/dL on an AlphaTrak meter, at the lowest glucose post shot.

 

[Buffy-&-Cindee]

Thanks BJM. I know I read both pages but with so much to absorb, I need to read them again.

Buffy is doing great this morning. She remained in the low "normal" zone for 12 hours, but not quite as low as last night.

Cindee

 

[BJM]

When starting Lantus, it takes 5-7 days at the same dose for the dose to stabilize.

When you have been using Lantus for a while, and change the dose, it can take 3-5 days for the change to stabilize.

Lantus dose adjustments are based on the lowest number (nadir) between shots, usually in the +5 to +7 hours afterward.

If you get below 68 mg/dL on an AlphaTrak, you intervene with 1-2 teaspoons of high carb food or food with syrup every 30 minutes until the number is rising 3 times in a row and you're past the nadir.