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    • 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
      Donna Owens likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      Yes. It’s f*ing annoying.
    • 12 hours, 8 minutes ago
      Amy Schneider likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 13 hours, 34 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I want a thumbs down icon!
    • 13 hours, 34 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      I seldom have any questions other than RX refill request which I submit through the patient portal. If I do have treatment questions, I typically do my own research, and if not satisfied with what I find out, I submit a question in the portal.
    • 13 hours, 35 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Between your regular T1D care visits, what questions tend to come up that you wish you could ask a diabetes expert? Share your thoughts in the comments.
      When I come up with a question between visits, I usually just do some research.
    • 15 hours, 47 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      I keep my opened insulin in the refrigerator too. When traveling I use a FRIO evaporative pouch.
    • 15 hours, 48 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Sorry. Of course I store unopened in frig. Opened in my room as I use it up in 30 days
    • 15 hours, 49 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      No, I keep it in the oven! ;) Same answer as the last time they asked this ridiculous question!
    • 16 hours, 31 minutes ago
      Becky Hertz likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Unopened yes, and now even opened just in case. I am getting a new health [lan (thank goodness a much better one - with better doctors and hospitals in network!) so it's worth it. But I can't get any appt - even for a PCP until September. I've been occasionally buying out of pocket insulin, pump and CGM supplies (in my mind, hoarding is a character asset for T1D people). I need to have my enough stuff to see me through, Of course, I am hoping there''s an appt cancellation.
    • 17 hours, 54 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      Do you store your unopened insulin in the refrigerator?
      Unopened yes, and now even opened just in case. I am getting a new health [lan (thank goodness a much better one - with better doctors and hospitals in network!) so it's worth it. But I can't get any appt - even for a PCP until September. I've been occasionally buying out of pocket insulin, pump and CGM supplies (in my mind, hoarding is a character asset for T1D people). I need to have my enough stuff to see me through, Of course, I am hoping there''s an appt cancellation.
    • 19 hours, 51 minutes ago
      alex likes your comment at
      Here’s What You Need to Know About the Dexcom G7
      This article explains the Dexcom G7 features in a clear and easy way, especially for people new to continuous glucose monitoring. Very informative and helpful. Sportzfy TV Download
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Have you ever been told you couldn’t physically do something because you live with diabetes?
      Long time ago - told there were certain occupations I would not be allowed to do because if T1D. Pilot, air traffic controller, military, etc.
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I have been told many times "YOU CAN'T EAT THAT!" ONLY to frustrate them and eat it anyway and then bolus accordingly.
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      I think it is a common experience for most people with T1D. People do not understand anything about it. I do not take it personally. I try to educate when appropriate.
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      Has someone ever told you that you can’t eat something because you live with diabetes?
      Lol hell when haven't they. Lol
    • 1 day, 11 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was only 2 when Diagnosed 70 years ago. My small town doctor admitted he didn't know much about T1D, and fortune for my parents and I he called what is now Joslin Clinic, and they told him how much insulin to give me. He taught my parents, who then traveled over 350 miles to Boston, to learn about how to manage T1D. My doctor learned more about T1D, and was able to help 2 other young men, that were later DX with T1D in our small town. I went to Joslin until I turned 18 and returned to become a Joslin Medalist and participated in the research study, 20 years ago. Still go there for some care.
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was 7 when things changed in my home. My older brother was hospitalized for 2 weeks. When he came home, we no longer ate the way we had before. This was 1956. Dessert alternated between sugarless pudding or sugarless Jello. I learned that bread and potatoes had carbohydrates and that turned to sugar. There was a jar in the bathroom. It seemed my brother was testing his urine every time he went in there. There was a burner and pot on the stove designated for boiling syringes. I watched my brother give himself shots and I remember how hard it was to find someone to manage his care if my parents had to travel. Diabetic Forecast magazine came in the mail each month and there were meetings of the local diabetes association that my mother attended religiously. My brother got a kidney and pancreas transplant at age 60 and before he died lived for 5 years as a non-diabetic. A few years later I was diagnosed. Sorry he was not able to make use of today’s technology. I often wonder what he and my late parents would think about me, at age 66, being the only one in the family with type 1.
    • 1 day, 13 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 17 hours ago
      kilupx likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      My brother was type 1 since an early age. I was only diagnosed in my late 40s
    • 1 day, 19 hours ago
      Phyllis Biederman likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Being 4 years of age, I think I can be forgiven for not knowing much of anything at all. That was 3 quarters of a century ago. ⎛⎝( ` ᢍ ´ )⎠⎞
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I was diagnosed in 1976 at the age of 18 while in college. One weekend, I was drinking a lot of water and peeing frequently. I remembered having read a Reader's Digest article on diabetes, and I told my friends I thought I might have it. Two days later, the diagnosis was confirmed.
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      Absolutely nothing. Diagnosed in late December 1962 at at the age of 8 years and was told I was going for a stay in hospital because I have "sugar diabetes".
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      How much did you know about type 1 diabetes before you were diagnosed?
      I knew I couldn’t or shouldn’t have my two fav things in the world: Pepsi cola and chocolate. I was 42, and suspected very strongly that I had it, and ate a large piece of chocolate cake before my doctor’s appointment (sounds more like I was 12). Fast forward 25 years later: I never had a real cola again, but do occasionally have chocolate. I’m way healthier than I was back then in terms of diet. I no longer have irritable bowel, and I’m lucky to be able to afford what I need to combat the ill effects of this chronic disease. I’m blessed, and grateful for insulin.
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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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