Kelly Burch is a freelance journalist who has covered health topics for more than 10 years. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and more.
Isabel Casimiro, MD, PhD, is board-certified in internal medicine. She is an endocrinologist at the University of Chicago and is based in Chicago, Illinois.
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate metabolism and blood sugar. People with diabetes often need to take insulin injections to stay healthy. That’s because people with type 1 diabetes don’t make insulin, and people with type 2 diabetes don’t respond properly to the insulin their bodies produce. To help manage diabetes, your healthcare provider will likely provide you with an insulin dosage chart or regimen.
This article discusses how insulin dose is calculated, the types of insulin, and how much insulin to take throughout the day.
Insulin doses are highly personalized. It depends on your weight, diabetes type, diet, exercise, and other factors. It’s always best to work with your healthcare provider to find the insulin dose that is right for you. If you have questions or concerns about your dose, reach out to your healthcare team.
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Many people with diabetes need to take insulin. There’s now a type of inhaled insulin, but most people who need insulin still take insulin shots. Most insulin shots used in the United States are U-100. That means there are 100 units of insulin in each millimeter of the fluid. Knowing this can help you calculate your insulin dose.
In nearly all cases, people with type 1 diabetes will need insulin shots. That’s because their body does not naturally produce insulin. Some people with type 1 diabetes use an insulin pump (a device that continuously pumps insulin into the body) to avoid having to give themselves injections multiple times a day.
Some, but not all, people with type 2 diabetes need insulin shots. In the past, about 30% of people with type 2 diabetes needed insulin shots. Thanks to advances in medications that manage type 2 diabetes, combined with diet and exercise, not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs insulin.
When you’re calculating your insulin dose, there are two types of insulin replacement to consider. Some people need both types, while some need only one or the other:
The amount of insulin that you need each day is measured in units. The number of units you need each day is known as your total daily insulin requirement. To calculate this, divide your weight in pounds by four. Here’s the equation:
For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, your total daily insulin requirement is 40 units. If you weigh 220 pounds, your total daily insulin requirement is 55 units. However, it is important to note that this is an estimate. Insulin resistance is also an important factor; a person who is more insulin resistant may need more insulin than someone of the same weight.
Once you know your total daily insulin requirement, you can calculate your basal and bolus requirements. The simplest way is to allot half to each. However, your basal insulin requirement can vary between 40%-50% of your total daily requirement.
Your bolus replacement makes up 50%-60%. The amount of insulin you take before each meal will be a percentage of the bolus total. Exactly how much depends on how many carbohydrates you’re eating or your blood sugar before the meal.
You should always work with your healthcare provider to find the insulin dose that’s right for you. This information is to provide a generalized overview, but if you have questions about your dosage, call your healthcare provider.
The insulin dose calculator described above is a very basic approach. Several factors affect what insulin dosage is right for you, including:
Chronic health conditions, alcohol use, illness, medications, and your goals for diabetes management all play a role in what insulin dose is right for you.
Figuring out your insulin dose can feel like a major victory. However, it’s important not to be complacent, since insulin dosage needs often change over time because of the following factors:
Always talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your insulin dosage.
Many people with diabetes need to take insulin shots to stay healthy. The number of units of insulin that you need each day is called your total daily insulin requirement. This is estimated by dividing your body weight by 4. While that gives a rough number, other factors including your type of diabetes, level of insulin resistance, diet, and exercise all play a role in calculating your insulin dose. Because of that, it’s important to work with a healthcare provider when developing your insulin regimen.
Managing insulin can be intimidating, especially if you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with diabetes. It’s normal to have a bit of a learning curve. If you find yourself frustrated with the process, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare team for guidance.
Your insulin dose needs to be calculated with your healthcare provider. However, a rough calculation for your daily insulin intake is to divide your body weight in pounds by 4. This will give you the number of units of insulin you need each day.
If you regularly experience high or low blood sugars, you may need to change how much insulin you take. Monitor your blood sugar regularly and reach out to your healthcare provider if you're regularly missing your blood sugar targets.
It is dangerous to take too much insulin. This can lead to low blood sugar, a condition known as hypoglycemia. You may experience symptoms including nausea, fatigue, and, in severe cases, seizures.
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University of California Diabetes Teaching Center. Type 2 diabetes FAQ.
American Diabetes Association. Oral medications: Getting it right.
University of California Diabetes Teaching Center. Insulin basics.
University of California Diabetes Teaching Center. Calculating insulin dose.
Diabetes.co.uk. Insulin dosage.
BetterHealth Channel. Diabetes and insulin.
American Diabetes Association. Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).
Kelly Burch is has written about health topics for more than a decade. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, and more.
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