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insulin test shot

Diabeticger

Well-Known Member
Messages
116
Location
Ireland
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Bread, Potatoes, anything Carby
when testing a new BD needle with your pen, how many units do you usually press off ?
 
I use a 2 unit 'air shot' for pens which only do whole units and 1.5 unit 'air shot' for pens which do half unit increments. That is usually enough but sometimes need to do additional air shots when starting a new pen/cartridge.
 
Hi,

2u for me with an Airshot. Possibly 2 more with a new cartridge? Formost to prime the needle.
But sometimes the needle can slip in the screw on cap & not penetrate the membrane properly in the cartridge..?
Also to check the ram & bung having no obstruction, either.. (which is rare. But can happen.)
 
One unit to see if insulin comes out.
With new penfills I do increments of 2 units until I see insulin. (Usually on the second try, sometimes on the third.)
 
When I used pens I had the half increment pens so I'd do 1.5 units until I saw insulin come out the end
 
My carpet beside my bed where I take lots of my MDI is destroyed with insulin sprays.. I generally fire off 3-5 units on a new pen.. I don't like the thought of not having insulin flow from a pen-press..
 
luke8841 said:
My carpet beside my bed where I take lots of my MDI is destroyed with insulin sprays.. I generally fire off 3-5 units on a new pen.. I don't like the thought of not having insulin flow from a pen-press..
Click to expand...
When I do test shots, I put the needle on the pen, take off the clear but cloudy needle cover, remove the smaller cover on the actual needle, then replace the cloudy cover and do my air shot.

The cloudy cover keeps the insulin contained, but is clear enough for me to see the insulin drops on the inside of the cap.

Assuming your needs have the two-part cover like my BD needles, that might save your carpet a bit.
 
2u airshot before each use for me too. Though i can be abit cheeky if the pen only has a few units left and I am just bolusing for a coffee/snack and skip this step.

Randomly a couple of my friends actually like the smell of it especially if i do it into a napkin when having a meal out.
 
Oh, yes, if the pen has exactly the units left that I want to inject I don't do the airshot!
 
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