In setting your insulin doses, it helps to know how sensitive to insulin you are. Insulin sensitivity helps to determine the total daily insulin dose, including the background insulin, carbohydrate Humalog/Regular (see the 500/450 Rule), and sliding scale Humalog/Regular (see the 1800/1500 Rule).
Insulin sensitivity is one measure of one's risk for heart disease. The more sensitive one is in general, the lower the risk for heart problems.
For those with Type 1 diabetes, insulin sensitivity can be estimated by filling in the blanks below:
- Your weight (lbs.) / 4 =_____ units
- Your total daily insulin dose (all insulins) =_____ units
The answer from line 1, (weight divided by 4) gives your estimated need for insulin. If your actual insulin dose on line 2 is close to this number, and you have good control, you have a normal sensitivity to insulin.
If line 2 is less than line 1 (and your control is good), you have excellent insulin sensitivity.
If line 2 is much greater than line 1, your insulin sensitivity may be lower or you may be on too much insulin. (Are you having frequent insulin reactions?)
If insulin sensitivity is decreased, the Tips for an apple figure can help to improve sensitivity.
With Type 2 diabetes, determining sensitivity to insulin is more complicated because everyone varies in how much insulin their own pancreas produces and in how resistant they are to insulin.
Pumping Insulin provides much more pump information and is the most helpful book ever written on insulin use.
Using Insulin takes you step by step toward excellent control. Whether you use one injection and pills, or six injections, you'll learn far more from this book than from any other!