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Carbs and countin
Ok so just got out of hospital. They give you discharge papers and send you on your way. My question is Ian counting carbs. But what is the ratio of insulin to carbs.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi,
as already mentioned, the answer to your question is different for every person.
When I started on insulin, my doctor gave me a starting ratio of 1 unit of insulin for 15 g of carbs and I then adjusted from there. Adjustment was then done in combination with close monitoring of blood sugars. Ie. I test blood sugar before eating, lets say it is 100. I then eat 45 g of carbs and inject 3 units of insulin before the meal. Test 2 hours after starting to eat and my blood sugar is 140 (my target is < 120 after eating). This tells me that the insulin was not enough. Next time I eat 45 g of carbs I will try 4 units of insulin). I actually finally worked out that I need 1 unit of insulin for about 10 g of carbs.
It also helps to restrict carbs. I typically eat few carbs - mainly vegetables - and only need to inject 1 or 2 units of insulin per meal.
Ideally your doctor would refer you a diabetes educator who can help you with this.
The following books are also good references "Using Insulin" by John Walsh, or "Think like a Pancreas', both of which explain how to work out carb:Insulin dosing.
as already mentioned, the answer to your question is different for every person.
When I started on insulin, my doctor gave me a starting ratio of 1 unit of insulin for 15 g of carbs and I then adjusted from there. Adjustment was then done in combination with close monitoring of blood sugars. Ie. I test blood sugar before eating, lets say it is 100. I then eat 45 g of carbs and inject 3 units of insulin before the meal. Test 2 hours after starting to eat and my blood sugar is 140 (my target is < 120 after eating). This tells me that the insulin was not enough. Next time I eat 45 g of carbs I will try 4 units of insulin). I actually finally worked out that I need 1 unit of insulin for about 10 g of carbs.
It also helps to restrict carbs. I typically eat few carbs - mainly vegetables - and only need to inject 1 or 2 units of insulin per meal.
Ideally your doctor would refer you a diabetes educator who can help you with this.
The following books are also good references "Using Insulin" by John Walsh, or "Think like a Pancreas', both of which explain how to work out carb:Insulin dosing.
That is different for every person. Are you a T1 or a T2
you need to see the MD for that answer (I/C ratio)
you need to see the MD for that answer (I/C ratio)
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