How do I calculate how much insulin I need?

Asked by: Mrs. Ruthe Hoeger PhD  |  Last update: August 13, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (28 votes)

Calculating Insulin Dosing: A general rule of thumb
  1. General rule of thumb = total daily dose (TDD) of insulin = Weight in pounds / 4. ...
  2. If the patient requires both basal and prandial insulin, then of the TDD, 50% should be basal (given overnight) and 50% given for carbohydrate (CHO) coverage with meals (bolus insulin)

How do you calculate total insulin needs?

Add up all the carbohydrates in your meal. Divide the total carbohydrates by the insulin to carbohydrate ratio. The result is the amount of insulin units needed.

How much will 10 units of insulin drop blood sugar?

Theoretically, to reduce 400 mg/dL blood sugar to about 100 mg/dL, you would need at least 10 units of insulin.

Is there an app to calculate insulin?

BolusCalc app for Android and iOS

Our BolusCalc app is available on Android Play and on the App Store.

How do I measure my insulin?

An insulin in blood test is often done with a C-peptide test. Your pancreas releases equal amounts of insulin and C-peptide into your bloodstream at the same time. C-peptide doesn't affect your blood glucose levels, but it stays in your blood longer than insulin.

U-M Type 1 Diabetes 101 | Module 5 | Carb Ratio & Correction Factor

28 related questions found

Is 12 units of insulin a lot?

Unlike most other medications, insulin can be given at a wide range of doses, from very low (2 to 10 units) to very high (>100 units), depending on diet, activity level, and sensitivity to the effects of insulin, which varies widely from person to person.

What is the 3 day rule for insulin?

We recommend that you adjust your insulin using the '3 day' rule. The '3 day' rule can help you to regulate your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar levels are above or below target levels for three days in a row, then adjust your insulin using the charts on the pages overleaf. range for three days in a row.

What if the sugar level is 400?

Yes, a blood sugar level of 400 to 500 mg/dL is considered extremely dangerous and requires immediate attention. Such high levels indicate severe hyperglycemia, which can lead to life-threatening complications like diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 1 diabetes or a hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state.

What is the 15 rule for insulin?

If your blood sugar is low, follow the 15-15 rule: Have 15 grams of carbs, then wait 15 minutes. Check your blood sugar again. If it's still less than 70 mg/dL, repeat this process.

How much insulin should I take based on weight?

Each has its own dosage. Depending on the type, you might start with 10 units a day. Or your doctor may base the first dose on your weight, based on about 0.2 units for every 2.2 pounds. This may be less than you need, but it's a good starting point.

What is the best free carb counting app for diabetics?

Diabetes Apps
  • Blue Loop.
  • CalorieKing for nutrition information — available from iTunes.
  • Carbohydrate Counting with Lenny® the Lion — Medtronic (free)
  • Glucose Buddy.
  • Myfitnesspal, calorie and carb tracker (free)
  • MySugr — offers a series of apps to help manage diabetes.

What is the 500 rule for diabetes?

The 500 rule (500 divided by total daily insulin dose [TDD] of insulin) is often used to find a starting point for the insulin to carbohydrate ratio (ICR), that is, how many grams of carbohydrate 1 unit of insulin covers, and this has been validated in children.

What blood sugar level requires insulin?

Consider initiating insulin replacement therapy when the blood glucose level is 300 to 350 mg per dL (16.7 to 19.4 mmol per L) or more or the A1C is more than 10% to 12%.

What is the formula for insulin measurement?

The two equations (which use fasting blood levels) are as follows, with HOMA-IR used to assess insulin resistance and HOMA-B used to assess pancreatic beta cell function [17, 18] : HOMA-IR = (glucose in mmol/L x insulin in mIU/mL)/22.5. HOMA-B = (20 x insulin in mIU/mL)/(glucose in mmol/L - 3.5)

How much insulin do I need if my sugar is 300?

X's blood sugar at 9am on Monday is 225 mg/dl, then Mr. X should get 4 units of Regular insulin injected subcutaneously. If Mr. X's blood sugar at 5pm on Monday is 300 mg/dl, then he should get 6 units of Regular insulin injected subcutaneously.

What are signs of too much insulin?

Symptoms of an overdose
  • confusion or feeling as though they have “brain fog”
  • irritability.
  • anxiety.
  • depression.
  • shakiness, weakness, or a “jittery” feeling.
  • dizziness.
  • a rapid heartbeat.
  • sweating, cold sweats, and chills.

What happens if I eat immediately after taking insulin?

Using a blood test that measures average glucose levels over time, the researchers found that all the participants had generally higher than ideal blood sugar levels - but the difference in those levels between periods when they waited or didn't wait to eat after insulin injections was a negligible 0.08 percent.

How to calculate insulin requirements?

Calculating Insulin Dosing: A general rule of thumb
  1. General rule of thumb = total daily dose (TDD) of insulin = Weight in pounds / 4. ...
  2. If the patient requires both basal and prandial insulin, then of the TDD, 50% should be basal (given overnight) and 50% given for carbohydrate (CHO) coverage with meals (bolus insulin)

Where should you not inject insulin?

Insulin should not be injected into a muscle, an area close to the bone, in a vein, in the face or scalp, in the navel, or the hands or feet. It should only be injected into the abdomen, the outer thigh, or the outer upper arm.

What is the pinch method for diabetes?

According to its proponents, you use the pinch method by holding the thumb and index finger of one hand just above the wrist of the other hand and then exerting a little bit of pressure on the wrist. Doing this will supposedly cause the release of insulin and break down glucose.

What are 5 signs your blood sugar is too high?

Symptoms of hyperglycemia include:
  • Urinating large amounts.
  • Excessive thirst.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Frequent hunger.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Weight loss.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Recurrent infections (e.g., urinary infections, skin infections)

What is the best drink to lower blood sugar?

Connect with a primary care physician
  1. Water. Water indirectly lowers our blood sugar by giving us the sensation of feeling full. ...
  2. Unsweetened teas. Unsweetened teas contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower our overall blood sugars. ...
  3. Black coffee.