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    • 14 hours, 57 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      Although I can currently afford my medical costs, they are not cheap. Future expenses are always a concern. Insurance changes are always difficult. I can never feel truly secure in affordable diabetic care. Of course these expenses are taken away from other areas in my family's budget.
    • 14 hours, 58 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      the financial burden is huge but the solution is long term tech and that is why i am working on Re-Life which is a battery free and immune evasive bio interface to stop the need for constant sensor changes and reduce costs for everyone forever we need more than just tools we need a permanent breakthrough
    • 14 hours, 59 minutes ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      I disagree currently but the possible costs of all my medical conditions are a constant concern
    • 16 hours, 23 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      I disagree currently but the possible costs of all my medical conditions are a constant concern
    • 16 hours, 24 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      Neither agree or disagree; the only thing that has changed for me is the cost of our Medicare Supplement Plan which when we started it almost 9 years ago the monthly cost for each of us was $220 and now is $330.
    • 16 hours, 24 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      A financial burden? I said, "Neither agree nor disagree." But, even with Medicare and a secondary insurance, I still HAVE TO pay to see a doctor quarterly, pay for insulin, and deductibles. The cost is not strangling me, but it is a burden.
    • 16 hours, 24 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      Neither agree or disagree. Over a lifetime of living with T1D It is what it is. The only time it gets to be a burden is if I have to replace something and/or pay out of pocket that isn't covered by insurance. I have always managed to get and have what I need on hand.
    • 16 hours, 25 minutes ago
      Lee Tincher likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      Although I can currently afford my medical costs, they are not cheap. Future expenses are always a concern. Insurance changes are always difficult. I can never feel truly secure in affordable diabetic care. Of course these expenses are taken away from other areas in my family's budget.
    • 18 hours, 14 minutes ago
      Daniel Bestvater likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      Although I can currently afford my medical costs, they are not cheap. Future expenses are always a concern. Insurance changes are always difficult. I can never feel truly secure in affordable diabetic care. Of course these expenses are taken away from other areas in my family's budget.
    • 21 hours, 24 minutes ago
      tpany likes your comment at
      If you could reimagine your diabetes technology, what’s the one thing you would change?
      The ideal is a cure like implantable cells to produce insulin without immunosuppressive drugs. Until then, smaller wearable pumps that last as long as the CGM needed to make it go along with true user control ala DIY systems.
    • 21 hours, 46 minutes ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      A financial burden? I said, "Neither agree nor disagree." But, even with Medicare and a secondary insurance, I still HAVE TO pay to see a doctor quarterly, pay for insulin, and deductibles. The cost is not strangling me, but it is a burden.
    • 21 hours, 48 minutes ago
      Kenneth Gabby likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      the financial burden is huge but the solution is long term tech and that is why i am working on Re-Life which is a battery free and immune evasive bio interface to stop the need for constant sensor changes and reduce costs for everyone forever we need more than just tools we need a permanent breakthrough
    • 21 hours, 53 minutes ago
      Bonnie Lundblom likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      the financial burden is huge but the solution is long term tech and that is why i am working on Re-Life which is a battery free and immune evasive bio interface to stop the need for constant sensor changes and reduce costs for everyone forever we need more than just tools we need a permanent breakthrough
    • 21 hours, 55 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      I disagree currently but the possible costs of all my medical conditions are a constant concern
    • 22 hours, 6 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      How often do you intentionally run your glucose slightly higher during certain activities (e.g., driving, public speaking, exercise)?
      when I am traveling, I will let it run a little higher because I don't know what I'll be doing at any given moment.
    • 22 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      A financial burden? I said, "Neither agree nor disagree." But, even with Medicare and a secondary insurance, I still HAVE TO pay to see a doctor quarterly, pay for insulin, and deductibles. The cost is not strangling me, but it is a burden.
    • 22 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Mike S likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      I disagree currently but the possible costs of all my medical conditions are a constant concern
    • 22 hours, 20 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      A financial burden? I said, "Neither agree nor disagree." But, even with Medicare and a secondary insurance, I still HAVE TO pay to see a doctor quarterly, pay for insulin, and deductibles. The cost is not strangling me, but it is a burden.
    • 22 hours, 20 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      I disagree currently but the possible costs of all my medical conditions are a constant concern
    • 22 hours, 26 minutes ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      the financial burden is huge but the solution is long term tech and that is why i am working on Re-Life which is a battery free and immune evasive bio interface to stop the need for constant sensor changes and reduce costs for everyone forever we need more than just tools we need a permanent breakthrough
    • 22 hours, 27 minutes ago
      mojoseje likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      the financial burden is huge but the solution is long term tech and that is why i am working on Re-Life which is a battery free and immune evasive bio interface to stop the need for constant sensor changes and reduce costs for everyone forever we need more than just tools we need a permanent breakthrough
    • 22 hours, 48 minutes ago
      John Barbuto likes your comment at
      How much do you agree with the following statement: “The financial costs of diabetes are a burden for me (or my family).”
      I disagree currently but the possible costs of all my medical conditions are a constant concern
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      To what extent does diabetes technology reduce day-to-day stress for you?
      I use Tandem control-IQ. It works quite well at night, but during the day I often turn it off or I will become hypoglycaemic. My days are often somewhat physically erratic and the algorithm can’t predict what I’m going to do next. I think if a person’s days are very consistent automated insulin may be of use. With the use of CIQ my A1c seems to be directed towards ~6.5 when turned off I seem to fall into the high 5’s range. So at this point I’m neutral on automated insulin delivery. Not convinced automation can ever match the body’s islet cells….we a cellular treatment!
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      Laurie B likes your comment at
      To what extent does diabetes technology reduce day-to-day stress for you?
      I put somewhat since sometimes the technology adds stress (eg. Won’t connect, or alarms that tell me what I already know and am in the middle of treating)
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      To what extent does diabetes technology reduce day-to-day stress for you?
      CGM is great, but sometimes too much data is stressful. All the pressure to be in range is a new numerical stress with statistical worries added on. The worries were always present, but nowadays they are front and center.
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    How often do you make adjustments to your insulin-to-carb ratio?

    Home > LC Polls > How often do you make adjustments to your insulin-to-carb ratio?
    Previous

    On a scale of 1-5 how informed is your T1D health care team about the latest T1D technology and medications? (1 = not at all informed, 5 = very informed)

    Next

    If you use both an insulin pump and CGM, do you currently use any of the following automated insulin delivery (also known as “predictive low glucose suspend” or “hybrid closed loop”) algorithms to help keep your glucose in-range?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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    40 Comments

    1. rick phillips

      Almost never. With the power of the automatic delivery system it is just not needed anymore than when I see my doc and maybe not then

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Kristen Clifford

      When my endocrinologist says I need to

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Derek West

      In the past it was very seldom as I had things pretty well fine tuned, but I recently moved from Medtronic to Tandem and am still fine tuning the ratios to adjust for the switch from Aspart to Novolog. My control is still not as good as it was, controlIQ for me has not been all it was purported to be, but I will get there.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Mary Boudousquie

      I only change it if either my Dr suggests it or I see where the current ratio is not working. Frequency varies.

      4
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Joan Fray

      I go see my diabetes educator next week. We may tweak it. I’ve lost ten pounds in the past year. Not trying, just not hungry. Chore to eat now……..

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Elle Hamann

      We adjust whenever we notice a trend that needs addressed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Natalie Daley

      Almost every meal — depends on the carbs

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. eherban1

      My insulin-to-carb ratio is static and hardly ever changes. I do take less insulin than indicated on days when I’m exerting myself and while eating less frequently (extra ordinary activity).

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Natalie Daley

      My brother was also a T1D. He designed a matrix for me based on my height, weight, time I’d day, and current blood sugar. My endocrinologist has a copy. I use still after 20 years.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Marty

      As shocking as this is, I don’t actually count carbohydrates. When I look at food, I see it directly in terms of insulin units and bolus accordingly. My endo endorses my method since it keeps me 90-100% in range. Her NP hates it and makes me back-calculate to carbs, so I use a ratio of 1:10 to make the math easy.

      6
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      Every set change.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Gary Rind

      Never have, have always used MDI and numbers have been very good. 1 to 15 carbs

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Patricia Kilwein

      Endo has me giving a unit for morning coffee and made a late morning adjustment to carb ratio. Morning rise in blood sugar is a nuisance.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. KCR

      I guess I make mental adjustments occasionally rather than change pump settings.

      4
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Bruce Schnitzler

      Provider initially set ratio when I started using device 7 months ago. I adjusted two weeks later and not since.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Milly Bassett

      I don’t use fast acting insulin that often. When I do, it’s because I had a big meal that had lots of carbs, which is not often. I take Lantus once a day. After a normal low carb meal, I walk or work in the garden or work around around the house. It does the trick.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Carol Meares

      I put every few months. I am on a new pump/algorithm, therefore trying to find the sweet spot.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Trina Blake

      I’ll take a look at it seasonally. I seem to need less insulin:carb in the warmer months. I also don’t have much of an appetite during the warmer weather (don’t have much of an appetite ever, but in the summer, eating is even less pleasurable)

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Vicki Andersen

      Only when my numbers reflect it is needed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Stephen Woodward

      The food can drive I:C ratio, in no way can it be fixed for all carbs. I.e., protein, fat, glycemic load. The hard fixed carb ratio is only part of the dosing calculation. It also is different throughout the day, something they don’t tell us.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. Chris Albright

      Usually changes based on season. I am more active in the ‘warmer’ months, so my boluses change a bit to accommodate additional activity.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Joan McGinnis

      i don’t generally. i think my provider has changed occasionally

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Karen DeVeaux

      Never, but that wasn’t an option.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. Brian Vodehnal

      Only when my usual treatment procedure isn’t getting the usual results. I haven’t made a change in probably 8 years.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. kim bullock

      When needed.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    26. Carole Ludwig

      My Endo reviews all my charts at each visit 3-4 times a year. Se will make slight adjustments on my pump if she feels it necessary. So far…so good.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    27. Cristina Jorge Schwarz

      All my settings change with the seasons, I kid you not! My basal rates are first, then my ratios, ISF…

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    28. Becky Hertz

      Other-whenever it is warranted.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    29. Dennis Dacey

      Simply put, as my body needs change and I see a need.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    30. Sherrie Johnson

      Whenever I see a trend up or down only once in this last year. Went from 1/15 to 1/12

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Teri Morris

        So did I. I use 1/15 for most of the day, but 1/12 for lunch.
        Go us!

        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    31. Jane Cerullo

      Sometimes I seem to need more insulin for same amount of carbs. Sometimes my basal needs to be adjusted for night time lows. I am comfortable changing doses as needed.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    32. terrih57@msn.com

      I try not to mess with my settings unless I see a trend. I usually do it with the help of my dr /endo

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    33. Karen Mielish-Clausell

      I don’t change carb ratios

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    34. Teri Morris

      When I see my Endo she generally has some suggestions which make sense and I find it helpful.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    35. William Bennett

      Sometimes having a numeric value for a thing creates a sense of precision that isn’t necessarily reflected in reality. For all the tweaking, how often do you actually “stick the landing” bolus-wise with no adjustments after the fact? And when it doesn’t come out right, was that the fault of your I:C settings, or was it because you didn’t get the portion size right or didn’t know the cook added a big dollop of corn syrup to the glaze or whatever? Of course you have to have SOME basis for doing this, and I’ve done all the testing for basal rates, I:C ratios, correction factors, adjusted for times of day. But at some level of refinement these adjustments just kinda get lost in the error bars. After decades doing this my actual practice comes down more to experience, experience, experience, intuition, and CGM than on my Bolus Wizard, which I usually only resort to if I’m confronted with something truly unusual (“All right, I’m gonna have some of that pecan pie dammit!”). The whole promise of AID pumping is that your static settings are never going to be perfect and what you really need is a system that can adjust in real time to what’s actually happening. My own experience is that AID isn’t really there yet. But as CGMs have become more accurate the Wizard settings have become less crucial in terms of how I actually manage on a practical, day-to-day basis.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    36. Jen Farley

      I make adjustments a lot. I keep a close eye on trends. The newest one has been a drop before dinner and before lunch. I have not been eating much lately, I have lost my appetite. So if it keeps on the next day or two I will adjust it and raise it in the morning, because every single morning it is high. I have heard about 3 reasons why. The newest is fatty liver. I have cut fat from my diet and lost 30 pounds. So, 30 more pounds let’s hope the fatty liver is not the problem and I can have breakfast again.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    37. PamK

      I was told to not change this ratio.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    38. Mary Ann Sayers

      Any adjustments to my insulin-to-carb ratio is done with my Joslin dr.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    39. T1D4LongTime

      I chose 2-3 times / yr. I normally wouldn’t touch the settings unless I see a change in TIR and/or StdDev. My situation is filled with high stress and caregiving, so I don’t change Insulin-to-carb ratio very often unless I see my boluses are no longer effective.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    How often do you make adjustments to your insulin-to-carb ratio? Cancel reply

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