My Diabetes Information Blogs
Short-Acting Insulin for Diabetes Management
01/14/09
Treatment Options
About 7 million Americans use insulin to help manage diabetes. If you live with type 1 diabetes, insulin is essential. For most people with type 2 diabetes it is not essential, but may be helpful.
There are many different types of insulin and insulin analogs that you and your doctor can consider. Ideal insulin control comes from:
- Using the right kind of insulin for your situation.
- Administering the correct dose at the right times.
- Monitoring blood sugar throughout the day.
- Administering correctional insulin doses when necessary.
If a person with type 2 diabetes struggles to control blood sugar with long-acting insulin, it may be time to introduce short-acting insulin. A person can introduce short-acting insulin by using premixed insulin that contains short and long-acting insulin.
Another strategy suggested by the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists is: "Give 10 percent of the total daily dose as a rapid-acting analog at the largest meal."
You would reduce long-acting insulin by ten percent as well.
Insulin management is complex and requires physician management.
Sources:
American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists
Cochrane Library via the American Academy of Family Physicians website