Subscribe Now

* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 1 hour, 43 minutes ago
      LizB likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      A familiar story. I've been holding onto my old Medtronic supplies for ten to twenty years. They're still sitting in the closet.
    • 1 hour, 45 minutes ago
      LizB likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      Diagnosed in September, right after Labor Day, in 1946. I'm 88 and still active, driving, and in general living a 'normal' life for someone my age.
    • 5 hours, 7 minutes ago
      Barb Robertson likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      Diagnosed in September, right after Labor Day, in 1946. I'm 88 and still active, driving, and in general living a 'normal' life for someone my age.
    • 5 hours, 34 minutes ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed - my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
    • 5 hours, 38 minutes ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      May 8th at 4:30pm - I was at work when I got the call from my doctor. I was fired from my job at 5:00 pm. A day that will live in infamy.
    • 5 hours, 47 minutes ago
      sweetcharlie likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was right before my 5th birthday. I returned from sleep away camp and was looking forward to my birthday party with a Baskin Robbin's ice cream cake and my mother's Hershey's best ever brownies, but instead. My mother took one look at me and took be to the hospital where I was diagnosed with T1D. Oh well. As the saying goes, shit happens. At least we have so many new treatments options available to use now. The doctors told my mom that I probably wouldn't make it to the age of 30 or 40 (I forget), and I am now 62.
    • 5 hours, 48 minutes ago
      sweetcharlie likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed - my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
    • 5 hours, 49 minutes ago
      sweetcharlie likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      I had been telling my medical professional parent for a month about my symptoms. My mom commented that it could be diabetes since her great-grandparents had it, but no. I was working at my dad's clinic, he was a doctor, and he had me go get a blood draw in the afternoon. After his birthday dinner, we stopped by to get the results. He said my BG was about 450. I started on oral medications right then. About nine months later I needed insulin injections. I was 18 and vowed it wouldn't change my life. It has changed every aspect of it. Every year on my dad's birthday I remember how it started and what's happened over the last 38 years.
    • 5 hours, 51 minutes ago
      sweetcharlie likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      May 8th at 4:30pm - I was at work when I got the call from my doctor. I was fired from my job at 5:00 pm. A day that will live in infamy.
    • 5 hours, 54 minutes ago
      sweetcharlie likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      I do not understand why this data is important.
    • 9 hours, 21 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was right before my 5th birthday. I returned from sleep away camp and was looking forward to my birthday party with a Baskin Robbin's ice cream cake and my mother's Hershey's best ever brownies, but instead. My mother took one look at me and took be to the hospital where I was diagnosed with T1D. Oh well. As the saying goes, shit happens. At least we have so many new treatments options available to use now. The doctors told my mom that I probably wouldn't make it to the age of 30 or 40 (I forget), and I am now 62.
    • 9 hours, 22 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed - my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
    • 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      I had been telling my medical professional parent for a month about my symptoms. My mom commented that it could be diabetes since her great-grandparents had it, but no. I was working at my dad's clinic, he was a doctor, and he had me go get a blood draw in the afternoon. After his birthday dinner, we stopped by to get the results. He said my BG was about 450. I started on oral medications right then. About nine months later I needed insulin injections. I was 18 and vowed it wouldn't change my life. It has changed every aspect of it. Every year on my dad's birthday I remember how it started and what's happened over the last 38 years.
    • 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      December 1983. Not sure the exact date, but it was about 6 weeks after becoming symptomatic. Didn't know what it was, but felt awful, plus the peeing/thirst thing, which I didn't even know was related to the other symptoms. I was in grad school at the time and it was nearing end of term. I thought student stress might be making me feel so sick. Doc said "Probably your wife wouldn't have been able to wake you up tomorrow if you hadn't come in."
    • 10 hours ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      April 1. Happy April Fool's Day!
    • 11 hours, 41 minutes ago
      Gary Rind likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed - my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
    • 12 hours, 36 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      70 years. I hope you are doing well. This gives the rest of us hope.
    • 12 hours, 38 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      The 13th of December 1973, lucky number 13 🍀 and I was thirteen at that time.
    • 13 hours, 4 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      Himmm.. About 70 years ago... I am even not sure of the year exactly...
    • 13 hours, 5 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed - my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
    • 13 hours, 51 minutes ago
      miss.stake likes your comment at
      If you have ever had extra supplies from a device you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? Please select all that apply.
      InsulinPumpers.com does a great job of distributing supplies to those in need.
    • 14 hours, 2 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      Himmm.. About 70 years ago... I am even not sure of the year exactly...
    • 14 hours, 2 minutes ago
      KCR likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      70 years. I hope you are doing well. This gives the rest of us hope.
    • 14 hours, 6 minutes ago
      Sue Martin likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      Himmm.. About 70 years ago... I am even not sure of the year exactly...
    • 14 hours, 12 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      During which month were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?
      It was almost 50 yrs ago. I was 4 when diagnosed - my family doesn’t celebrate or even discuss the dx as it was a very sad day for the entire family. They told my parents I would never have children and that I would never live past age 40. In my teens whilst full of surly attitude, I decided to prove them wrong. So I had a baby at 40 and am living a great life (with some restrictions) at 50-something. Celebrating another birthday in a few days. Glad they were wrong!
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • Submit a Question
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
      • Leadership
      • Committees
      • Clinics
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
      • Join Us
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Work with us
    • Partners
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Donate

    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 (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community 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. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

    Related Stories

    Meet the Expert

    Advocate, Leader & Mother of Two Children with Type 1 Diabetes 

    Jewels Doskicz, 15 hours ago 6 min read  
    Lifestyle

    Managing Type 1 Diabetes with the Flu, Stomach Virus, or Severe Cold 

    Ginger Vieira, 1 day ago 5 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Working to Remove the Word “Control” From Diabetes Care 

    Jewels Doskicz, 1 week ago 5 min read  
    Research

    Type 1 Diabetes Stem Cell Therapy Gets Greenlight for Human Trials 

    Ginger Vieira, 1 week ago 3 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Founder of the First-Ever Online Diabetes Community 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 weeks ago 7 min read  
    Insulin & Meds

    I Saved $1,100 on 5 Vials of Generic Insulin from Amazon Pharmacy 

    Cristina Jorge Schwarz, 2 weeks ago 4 min read  

    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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    2. Kristen Clifford

      When my endocrinologist says I need to

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

      We adjust whenever we notice a trend that needs addressed.

      3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    7. Natalie Daley

      Almost every meal — depends on the carbs

      2
      3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    11. mbulzomi@optonline.net

      Every set change.

      3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    14. KCR

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

      4
      3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    19. Vicki Andersen

      Only when my numbers reflect it is needed.

      3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    22. Joan McGinnis

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

      3 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    23. Karen DeVeaux

      Never, but that wasn’t an option.

      3 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    25. kim bullock

      When needed.

      1
      3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    28. Becky Hertz

      Other-whenever it is warranted.

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

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

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

      I don’t change carb ratios

      3 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks 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 weeks ago Log in to Reply
    37. PamK

      I was told to not change this ratio.

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

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

      3 weeks 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.

      5 days ago Log in to Reply

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

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




    11 Avenue de Lafayette
    Boston, MA 02111
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2023 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2022 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    2019 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ADA

    9 Stories Related

    2020 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ATTD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 EASD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ISPAD

    7 Stories Related

    2020 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2021 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ATTD

    4 Stories Related

    2021 ISPAD

    8 Stories Related

    2021 Publications

    22 Stories Related

    2022 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2022 ADCES

    4 Stories Related

    2022 ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    2022 ISPAD

    0 Stories Related

    2023 ATTD

    6 Stories Related

    ADA

    5 Stories Related

    ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    Advocacy

    21 Stories Related

    ATTD

    16 Stories Related

    Blood Sugar

    0 Stories Related

    Conditions

    7 Stories Related

    COVID-19

    14 Stories Related

    EASD

    0 Stories Related

    General Publications

    73 Stories Related

    Get Involved

    11 Stories Related

    Insulin & Meds

    13 Stories Related

    ISPAD

    1 Stories Related

    Journal of Diabetes

    21 Stories Related

    Lifestyle

    11 Stories Related

    Lifestyles

    0 Stories Related

    Meet the Expert

    12 Stories Related

    Mental Health

    11 Stories Related

    News

    35 Stories Related

    Our team

    25 Stories Related

    Partner Content

    7 Stories Related

    Press Release

    6 Stories Related

    Question of the Day

    22 Stories Related

    Research

    61 Stories Related

    Stories

    17 Stories Related

    Technology

    22 Stories Related

    Uncategorized

    0 Stories Related

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    • Clear All
    • Sort By

    • Select Category