Insulin Dose Calculator
This calculator helps estimate mealtime insulin doses based on your current blood glucose, target blood glucose, carbohydrate intake, and your personalized insulin ratios. It combines both carbohydrate coverage and correction for high blood sugar.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and should NOT be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider or endocrinologist to determine your specific insulin dosing regimen. Insulin doses are highly individualized and depend on many factors not included in this simple calculation.
Calculated Insulin Dose:
Carbohydrate Dose: 0 units
Correction Dose: 0 units
Total Mealtime Insulin: 0 units
Understanding Insulin Dosing
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body use glucose (sugar) for energy. In people with diabetes, either the body doesn't produce enough insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or doesn't use insulin effectively (Type 2 diabetes), leading to high blood glucose levels. Insulin therapy involves administering insulin to help manage these levels.
Mealtime Insulin Calculation Components:
Mealtime insulin doses are often calculated using a combination of factors to cover the carbohydrates consumed and to correct for any high blood glucose levels before a meal. This calculator uses two primary components:
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Insulin-to-Carbohydrate Ratio (ICR):
The Insulin-to-Carbohydrate Ratio (ICR) tells you how many grams of carbohydrates are covered by one unit of rapid-acting insulin. For example, an ICR of 1:10 means that 1 unit of insulin is needed for every 10 grams of carbohydrates consumed. This ratio is highly individualized and determined by your healthcare provider based on your weight, activity level, insulin sensitivity, and other factors.
Calculation:
Carbohydrate Dose = Carbohydrates Consumed (grams) / Insulin-to-Carbohydrate RatioExample: If you eat 60 grams of carbohydrates and your ICR is 1:10, you would need 60 / 10 = 6 units of insulin to cover the meal.
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Correction Factor (CF) / Insulin Sensitivity Factor (ISF):
The Correction Factor (CF), also known as the Insulin Sensitivity Factor (ISF), indicates how much one unit of rapid-acting insulin will lower your blood glucose level. For instance, a CF of 1:50 mg/dL means that 1 unit of insulin will lower your blood glucose by 50 mg/dL. This factor is also highly personalized and helps bring high blood glucose levels back into your target range.
Calculation:
Correction Dose = (Current Blood Glucose - Target Blood Glucose) / Correction FactorExample: If your current blood glucose is 180 mg/dL, your target is 100 mg/dL, and your CF is 1:50, you would need (180 – 100) / 50 = 80 / 50 = 1.6 units of insulin to correct the high blood sugar.
Total Mealtime Insulin Dose:
The total mealtime insulin dose is the sum of the carbohydrate dose and the correction dose. This combined approach helps ensure that both the food consumed and any existing high blood sugar are adequately managed.
Calculation: Total Mealtime Insulin = Carbohydrate Dose + Correction Dose
Example: Using the examples above, if your carbohydrate dose is 6 units and your correction dose is 1.6 units, your total mealtime insulin would be 6 + 1.6 = 7.6 units.
Important Considerations:
- Individualization: All ratios and factors are unique to each individual and can change over time due to lifestyle, illness, stress, and other medications.
- Blood Glucose Units: This calculator uses mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), which is common in the United States. If you use mmol/L (millimoles per liter), you will need to convert your values (1 mmol/L ≈ 18 mg/dL).
- Timing: The timing of insulin administration relative to meals is crucial and should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
- Hypoglycemia Risk: Overdosing insulin can lead to dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Always be cautious and follow your doctor's instructions.
- Other Factors: Physical activity, stress, illness, and other medications can all impact blood glucose levels and insulin needs.
Always consult with your healthcare team before making any changes to your insulin regimen.