Type 1 and Birth Control Pill

[dee12]

I am 22 and a type 1 for 1 year on a minimed pump.  I was having issues with irregular menstrual cycles, so my doctor put me on a low dosage birth control pill, but since going on the pill 3 days ago, my blood sugars have been elevated despite doubling my insulin doses.  I finally figured out new ratios to keep my blood sugars under control, but am taking more than twice as much insulin.(.3 basal and carb ratio 1:4 and sensitivity of 15 points for 1 unit)  I have heard that increased insulin intake is correlated with weight gain.  Will taking so much insulin cause me to gain weight even though I am eating the same number of calories?  I know that insulin takes sugar into your body so that it can use it for energy or store it, so i am curious what is happening to all this extra insulin i am taking.

[JDRF-Team-gg]

Hi Dee12!  Whenever a new medication is taken, it can affect your blood sugars.  Insulin is a hormone and different hormones have different strengths.  This factor may make the insulin less effective.  My best guess is that this is the reason why you are requiring higher amounts of insulin.  Yes, there is a correlation between insulin and fat storage, but this does not necessarily mean that you will gain weight.  It can, however, if you are consuming more calories than what you are burning off during the day.  Thank goodness for your pump, you know?  Being on shots would make this situation must harder to get back under control.  What's important is that you keep trying to achieve optimum bg readings throughout the day by exercising and following a healthy diet containing fresh fruits & vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy products.  I hope this has shed some light on this for you.