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insulin / carbohydrate "equivalence"

D

dickyD

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Equivalence is not a good word - but I could not think of a better.

If I reduce my carbohydrate intake at a meal by (say) 20 grams, how much should I reduce
my insulin by? Only a starting point, I know, but a guide would be useful, please.
 
Not sure anyone can really answer that. It depends on the type of insulin you're taking...are you on a basal/bolus insulin or mixed insulin. Are you carb counting? Do you know your ratio's?
 
As @Natalie1974, states, it depends what insulin regime you are on. For a pump, or basal/bolus, you generally have a CarbF (carb factor) calculated. For myself, for example, I have 1:8 before 9am, and 1:9 thereafter, so for every 8g or 9g of carbs I eat, I take 1 unit of insulin, so in the evening, if I was going to eat 20g less carbs, I would take (20/9) = 2.22 units less ... however, I am type 1, and on a pump, and carb count and carbFs vary from person to person.
 
@dickyD what type of insulin are you on? If its a standard fast acting 10g of carbs to 1U is a starting point rule of thumb.

If its mixed its a black art!!
 
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