How much insulin does the average diabetic take?

Asked by: Marilyne Weissnat  |  Last update: October 27, 2025
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Most people with diabetes need at least 2 insulin shots a day. Some people need 3 or 4 shots for good blood sugar control.

Is 20 units of insulin a lot?

Basal insulin is usually started at a low dose (10 to 20 units) and then increased gradually to determine the right dose for an individual. Using a combination of treatments (ie, an oral or injectable non-insulin medication plus insulin) generally lowers the dose of insulin compared with taking insulin only.

How much insulin is normal for a diabetic?

People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes usually start with two injections of insulin per day of two different types of insulin and generally progress to three or four injections per day of insulin of different types. The types of insulin used depend on their blood glucose levels.

How much insulin can a type 2 diabetic take in a day?

Most people generally need one shot of long-acting insulin per day, but some may need up to four shots per day. You may need to adjust your rapid-acting insulin dosage regularly if your blood sugar spikes after meals.

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.

Diabetes Besties – Episode 3: How much insulin do I take?

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What is the 3-hour rule for insulin?

Rapid-acting insulin begins to work about 15 minutes after injection, peaks in about 1 hour, and continues to work for 2 to 4 hours. The three-hour rule prevents “insulin stacking” and a low blood glucose (BG) or hypoglycemia.

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 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.

At what A1C level is insulin recommended?

The algorithms and guidelines of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and the American Diabetes Association recommend that insulin administration be strongly considered for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with HbA1c levels exceeding 9.0% and 10%, respectively.

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 do I calculate how much insulin I need?

If pre-meal blood sugar is high, take the blood sugar reading and subtract target blood sugar. Divide what remains by the correction factor. The result is the amount of insulin needed to correct high blood sugar. Add up all the carbohydrates in your meal.

At what sugar level is insulin required?

Insulin therapy will often need to be started if the initial fasting plasma glucose is greater than 250 or the HbA1c is greater than 10%.

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.

Does insulin make you gain weight?

People who take insulin often gain weight. Insulin is a hormone that regulates how the body absorbs sugar, also known as glucose. The weight gain can be frustrating because keeping a healthy weight is important to manage your diabetes. The good news is that you can maintain your weight while taking insulin.

Do you need to pinch the skin when using an insulin pen?

Push the needle into your skin. Most people can inject using a 90-degree angle and without pinching the skin. Adults and children who are very lean and people who use longer needles may need to pinch the skin to avoid injecting into muscle.

How do you flatten your blood sugar?

Try eating foods with more protein or fat and limit carbohydrates, especially those that produce a rush of glucose – junk food, fast food or desserts. It's also important to stay hydrated throughout the day and get a restful night's sleep. Hydration and sleep are two ways to help regulate glucose levels.

Where is the pressure point for diabetes?

Scientifically known as Pericardium 6, located on the inner forearm near your little finger. Stimulating this point helps to regulate blood sugar levels and alleviate symptoms of diabetes like chest pain, anxiety and nausea.

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.

Is 250 high for a Type 2 diabetic?

Your healthcare provider may provide individualized instructions on when to contact the office. If you have two or more unexpected blood sugars over 250 mg/dL, notify your healthcare provider for instructions. Red Flag: Blood sugar is very high and requires immediate treatment.

What is a sliding scale for diabetes?

The most common method to treat hospitalised people with diabetes is sliding scale insulin therapy. The term 'sliding scale' refers to the increasing administration of the pre‐meal insulin dose based on the blood sugar level before the meal.

What is the best eating schedule for diabetics?

For most people with diabetes, mealtimes should space out through the day like this: Have breakfast within an hour and half of waking up. Eat a meal every 4 to 5 hours after that. Have a snack between meals if you get hungry.

How much will 5 units of insulin drop blood sugar?

Generally, to correct a high blood glucose, one unit of insulin is needed to drop the blood glucose by 50 mg/dl. This drop in blood glucose can range from 15-100 mg/dl or more, depending on individual insulin sensitivities, and other circumstances.

Is Ozempic insulin?

Is Ozempic the same as insulin? No, Ozempic is not the same as insulin. It is used to help your pancreas produce more insulin.