I sometimes tag things, and then later go back, so they may make more sense. I found this recently in my 'files', and thought to post it, as I think this is a good explanation on how to interpret curves, and thought I would post.
This comes from the following website:
http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Curve
This is likely to be the subject of a large article, but some quick tips to begin:
■The most desirable curve while regulating is a simple dip, from about 250, down to around 90 or 100, then back up to 250. Ideally, most of the pet's time is spent with blood glucose levels below 200.
■The lowest point on the curve (blood glucose nadir) is your peak, and you should remember the time this occurs. Use that same time for between-shot peak tests and mini-curves in future.
■A typical difficult curve when you first begin regulating is high and flat, between 300 and 500. This can indicate either not enough insulin, or too much insulin and Somogyi rebound. It may also indicate insulin resistance due to glucose toxicity. Telling the difference is difficult, and requires looking at a full dosage and curve history. The best method is to avoid Somogyi rebound by starting low and going slow[2].
■ A curve that goes down below 90 may indicate less insulin is needed.
■ A curve that has a nice dip between shots, but rises too soon, may indicate that a longer-acting insulin is appropriate or that the pet needs more time to "settle" into the current dose.
■ A curve that has a nice dip between shots but doesn't rise in time for the next shot, suggests either changing to a shorter-acting insulin, or giving shots less often, or learning to work with overlap as discussed on the FDMB[3].
■ A curve that shows a significant drop between shots, but never going below 150, may indicate that a small dosage increase is appropriate. (Half unit or smaller increases are suggested as you get close to a perfect dose.)
more information on Carryover, which is different than overlap.
Carryover or carry-over refers to insulin effects lasting past the insulin's official duration. It's been observed that some long-acting insulins leave an insulin depot[1] under the skin that has a small residual effect that may last anywhere from 12 to 48 hours, after the principal action has ended.
Keep in mind that any substance injected into the body will be removed or broken down gradually, it won't all disappear at once. So even after there's not enough insulin left to make a noticeable dent in blood glucose, there will still be a period of time when small amounts are present and being slowly used up. In long-acting insulins, those small amounts may give a slight boost to the next day's (or three day's) doses.
This small residual effect, if it exists, may mean that the same dose given 3 days in a row will be slightly more effective each day. For example, Dr. Rand mentions in her Lantus studies[2]: "We have found it often takes 3-5 days for a good glucose-lowering effect to be seen in the glucose curves, possibly because of the long duration of action and carry-over effect of glargine."
For terminology's sake, consider the principal action of the insulin to be its onset, peak, and duration. If you shoot insulin again before the duration has expired, there will be overlap. Carryover is whatever small residual effect is left after duration has expired.
This comes from the following website:
http://petdiabetes.wikia.com/wiki/Curve
This is likely to be the subject of a large article, but some quick tips to begin:
■The most desirable curve while regulating is a simple dip, from about 250, down to around 90 or 100, then back up to 250. Ideally, most of the pet's time is spent with blood glucose levels below 200.
■The lowest point on the curve (blood glucose nadir) is your peak, and you should remember the time this occurs. Use that same time for between-shot peak tests and mini-curves in future.
■A typical difficult curve when you first begin regulating is high and flat, between 300 and 500. This can indicate either not enough insulin, or too much insulin and Somogyi rebound. It may also indicate insulin resistance due to glucose toxicity. Telling the difference is difficult, and requires looking at a full dosage and curve history. The best method is to avoid Somogyi rebound by starting low and going slow[2].
■ A curve that goes down below 90 may indicate less insulin is needed.
■ A curve that has a nice dip between shots, but rises too soon, may indicate that a longer-acting insulin is appropriate or that the pet needs more time to "settle" into the current dose.
■ A curve that has a nice dip between shots but doesn't rise in time for the next shot, suggests either changing to a shorter-acting insulin, or giving shots less often, or learning to work with overlap as discussed on the FDMB[3].
■ A curve that shows a significant drop between shots, but never going below 150, may indicate that a small dosage increase is appropriate. (Half unit or smaller increases are suggested as you get close to a perfect dose.)
more information on Carryover, which is different than overlap.
Carryover or carry-over refers to insulin effects lasting past the insulin's official duration. It's been observed that some long-acting insulins leave an insulin depot[1] under the skin that has a small residual effect that may last anywhere from 12 to 48 hours, after the principal action has ended.
Keep in mind that any substance injected into the body will be removed or broken down gradually, it won't all disappear at once. So even after there's not enough insulin left to make a noticeable dent in blood glucose, there will still be a period of time when small amounts are present and being slowly used up. In long-acting insulins, those small amounts may give a slight boost to the next day's (or three day's) doses.
This small residual effect, if it exists, may mean that the same dose given 3 days in a row will be slightly more effective each day. For example, Dr. Rand mentions in her Lantus studies[2]: "We have found it often takes 3-5 days for a good glucose-lowering effect to be seen in the glucose curves, possibly because of the long duration of action and carry-over effect of glargine."
For terminology's sake, consider the principal action of the insulin to be its onset, peak, and duration. If you shoot insulin again before the duration has expired, there will be overlap. Carryover is whatever small residual effect is left after duration has expired.