Insulin calculation, particularly for mealtime or correction doses, involves several factors to ensure blood glucose levels are managed effectively. The primary calculation is for correcting high blood sugar.
Calculating Insulin Correction Doses
The following steps detail how to calculate a correction dose of insulin to lower high blood sugar levels. This is based on a target blood sugar range, your current reading, and an individual correction factor.
Step-by-Step Calculation
- Determine your current blood sugar level. Use a blood glucose meter to get an accurate reading.
- Identify your target blood sugar level. This is the blood sugar level your doctor has specified for you.
- Subtract your target blood sugar from your current blood sugar. This gives you the amount of blood sugar that needs to be lowered.
- Determine your correction factor. This factor, determined with your healthcare provider, is how much your blood sugar will drop per unit of insulin.
- Divide the remaining blood sugar amount from step 3 by your correction factor. The result is the amount of insulin needed to correct your high blood sugar.
| Calculation Step | Description | Formula |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Current Blood Sugar | Measure your current blood glucose level | |
| 2. Target Blood Sugar | Your desired glucose level | |
| 3. Difference | Subtract the target from the current level | Current Blood Sugar - Target Blood Sugar |
| 4. Correction Factor | The amount your blood sugar drops per unit of insulin | |
| 5. Insulin Correction Dose | The result of the division is the number of insulin units required | (Current Blood Sugar - Target Blood Sugar) / Correction Factor |
Example Calculation
Let’s say:
- Your current blood sugar is 250 mg/dL.
- Your target blood sugar is 100 mg/dL.
- Your correction factor is 50.
Here’s how you calculate the insulin dose:
- 250 mg/dL (Current) - 100 mg/dL (Target) = 150 mg/dL (Difference)
- 150 mg/dL (Difference) / 50 (Correction Factor) = 3 units of insulin
Therefore, in this case, you would need 3 units of insulin to bring your blood sugar down to your target.
Important Considerations
- Individual Factors: The correction factor and target blood sugar are specific to each individual and are determined by a healthcare professional.
- Mealtime Insulin: When taking insulin for a meal, additional calculations are needed which involve the carbohydrate content of the meal and the individual's insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio. These additional calculation steps have not been covered by the references and therefore have not been included here.
- Consult a Professional: This explanation is for general understanding and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider or certified diabetes educator for personalized insulin dosage instructions.
