Step 3: Managing the background insulin
A general guideline is that individuals usually need approximately half of their insulin as background and the other half as quick-acting when eating meals. If your background insulin dose makes up a larger percentage of your overall dose, it could be excessive. This is significant because excessive background insulin can increase your appetite (leading to weight gain) and make you vulnerable to hypoglycemia. In 25% of individuals, the effects of once-daily background insulin wear off earlier than 24 hours.
Is there a way to determine if my background insulin dosage is accurate?
A good method to assess this is to occasionally have meals that are free of carbohydrates (or fast), which eliminates the need for quick-acting insulin at that particular time.
What modifications are possible?
- If your glucose levels decrease after carb-free meals or periods of fasting, it may indicate a reduction in background insulin.
- If one's glucose levels are increasing after consuming meals without carbs or during periods of fasting, it could indicate an increase in background insulin.
- Splitting the background insulin into two doses, taken approximately 12 hours apart, can offer significant benefits:
−Achieving a more consistent glucose level profile with minimal variations.
−It does not run out towards the end of 24 hours.
−Ability to modify the dosage for morning or evening based on the workout routine.
