My Blood Glucose Graph and Humalog Experience

Diablo570

New Member
This was my first attempt with insulin, namely Humalog.
I was advised to take 5-7IU of Humalog PRE and POST workout. In addition, the carbs were to be a combination of complex and simple in a ration like this} 7:1, meaning, 7grams of carbohydrate to every 1 I.U. of Humalog.
Ok, so initially, I did the twice per day injects, but started low....about 4 IU each shot (bilaterally, sub-Q). After the insulin shot, I felt a little groggy and sometimes light headed (signs of hypoglycemia), signifying that I had not taken enough carbs. The only problem here is I do NOT want to get fat while using slin, so I have to ride the fine line of having just enough carbs to satisfy my insulin levels and cellular needs. Too many carbs = fat. Too few carbs= hypoglycemic
To aid me in riding on that fine line of getting just the right amount of carbs safely, I obtained a blood glucose monitoring kit. This is a great tool and I think everyone should give one a try. By simply knowing that a specific feeling you are getting (hypo symptoms) translates into a number (blood glucose concentration in mg/dL) greatly enables you to adjust your insulin dosage and/or carbohydrate intake. Sort of like fine tuning an engine on a dyno.
Ok, so back to the 2 shots per day on workout days. In short, this did not work well for me. I found that I would have to wait several hours POST insulin shot to do any sort of exercise. I would become hypoglycemic from cardio/weight lifting. For the first several days I would take a slin shot, pound my protein/carb drink and sit around waiting for the insulin to do its job. But that took up to 3 hours! Anyhow, I tried only one shot POST workout. I like it. It works great for me. In addition, I felt so watery and fat by taking slin 2X per day. After all, I had to ingest carbs after each shot and we all know how carbs make you feel. Watery and sloppy. I didn’t need that many carbs and the 5IU POST workout shot is perfect.
-----MY BLOOD GLUCOSE GRAPH------
Its 9/22/04 and I want to know how I react to insulin and carbs (everyone is different, so make your own graph). Here is how you interpret my graph.
****Time 0 min. = 49mg/dL. (mg/dL is referring to the amount of glucose, measured in milligrams, to every deciliter of blood. This is a standard concentration)
--I took this measurement POST workout! NO slin. NO carbs. A relatively lower carb day. I was feeling weak and slow.

****Time 15 min. = 95mg/dL. I had taken my 5IU of Humalog and protein/carb shake.
What’s in my shake? This: -65grams protein, 2 bananas, 10grams L-glutamine, 10-15grams creatine, 1 tablespoon of sucrose (simple sugar) and water/ice.
So you notice a spike in blood glucose as expected. Good, my shake is working :D

****Time 30 min. = 100mg/dL. I believe the insulin is going to work on the glucose in my blood, shuttling it into my cells. Too understand why I came to this conclusion, see the next time on the chart.

****Time 45 min. =65mg/dL. Bada-Bing! The insulin is removing the glucose from my blood and shoving it into the hungry energy sapped cells. Ahhhh, Bless science and technology.

****Time 75 min. = 46mg/dL. Ummmmm, I feel sort of shitty now and rightfully so. My blood glucose is disgustingly low.
But wait, this gets sort of interesting. Someone help me out with this interpretation!--->But check out the next time on the graph.

****Time 100 min. = 63mg/dL. WTF? I have NOT eaten anything except my shake 100 minutes ago and now my blood glucose starts to rise??? How is that so? I have two conclusions to this oddity:
A) The exogenous insulin (Humalog) is wearing tired? I’m metabolizing it?

B) With a blood glucose level of 46mg/dL as seen in time 75 min, I could be considered slightly hypoglycemic. I NEED glucose in my blood, since too much has left. Could this be one of my body’s defense mechanisms to low blood sugar? Here is my theory on this one: My very low blood glucose level has triggered my body to release glycogen from my liver in attempts to restore a more safe blood glucose level. With the Humalog beginning to wear thing and the addition of glycogen from my liver, my blood glucose level begins to rise to a more respectable level. Any opinions on this??????
Well check out the next several graph points, it may help explain.

Time 115 min = 69mg/dL. Blood glucose is still slightly on the rise. Theory B is looking decent but not conclusive.

Time 140 min = 96mg/dL. Another increase in blood glucose.

Well, bros, I am in NO way a doctor or insulin expert. That is why I post my experience with Humalog along with some novice theories.
PLEASE help me better understand some of the points I made in this thread.
This is a long read and is certainly not for everyone. Feel free to ask me any questions or comment on what I have said.

Diablo
 
Hey dude,

in your post you note that you are taking creatine and glutamine in the same shake. just as an fyi, they both compete for the same cell receptor, so you are better off taking one or the other, you will only absorb one or the other. so, save your pennies and only take the one in the morn and one at night. otherwise, you are pissing away half of your supps.
 
bigmig said:
Hey dude,

in your post you note that you are taking creatine and glutamine in the same shake. just as an fyi, they both compete for the same cell receptor, so you are better off taking one or the other, you will only absorb one or the other. so, save your pennies and only take the one in the morn and one at night. otherwise, you are pissing away half of your supps.

Same "cell receptors???" L-glutamine is an amino acid while creatine is simply a metabolite that helps restore ATP. They have very little in common. Neither are hormones.
SO what "cell receptors" are you referring to?
BTW, creatine monohygrate is released from the kidneys and liver and l-glutamine gets cleaved from proteins. Therefor, according to your statment about them both competeing for the same receptors-- it would make little sense for the body to operate in this fashion since both would be in constant competition. It doesnt make any sense.
Please clue me in here.

Diablo
 
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