Diabetic patients who require Insulin often need to adjust their Insulin dose based on variable factors from day to day. A modern way to dose Insulin is to use 2 types of Insulin: 1) A daily dose of long acting “Basal” Insulin to provide a constant low level of Insulin activity, plus, 2) Several doses of “Rapid” acting Insulin to cover meals and to adjust for variations in your measured glucose level before meals. Your dose of “Basal” Insulin is adjusted by your doctor, usually 20 to 60 units per day.
Your dose of “Rapid” acting Insulin can be calculated by counting grams of carbohydrate in a meal and measuring your pre-meal glucose. The dose of “Rapid” acting Insulin is calculated as follows: 1 unit for every 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrate in your meal, plus, 1 unit for every 25 to 50mg/dl your glucose exceeds 100mg/dl. The exact ratios above are assigned by your doctor. Example: 1 unit/15gram carbs + 1 unit for every 33mgdl over 100mg/dl Meal has 75 grams of carbs -> 75/15 = 5 units. Pre-Meal Glucose = 200mg/dl -> (200 - 100) / 33 = 3 units. Total = 8 units dosed just before the meal.
Ultimate table of foods for Carbohydrate Grams, Calories, Protein, Fat: Click here for the Nutrition Chart. Click here for the Nutrition Chart Sorted on Carbohydrates
Once you are familiar with self testing and counting carbs’ the dose calculation becomes quite easy. Then, keep a careful log of your glucose and Insulin. Click here for the Diabetic Flow Sheet. Print several copies of the sheet and keep them in a loose leaf notebook for review with your doctor
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