Children's Community Nursing Service, Richmond
Adjusting insulin
Insulin doses can be increased or decreased according to your blood glucose levels.
Blood glucose levels can change due to a number of reasons, including the following:
- illness
- stress
- activity
- holidays and travel
- a change of routine
- changes in weight
- changes in food and alcohol intake.
It is important to know what insulin you are taking and how the insulin works.
| Name of insulin | Name of device | Usual dose |
| Units: |
Blood glucose levels can alter on a day-to day-basis.
We recommend that you do not adjust your insulin dose based on a one-off reading.
Monitor your blood glucose levels for 3 days before you make any changes.
We usually alter doses 2 units at a time, with regular blood glucose testing across the day to see the effect of the change.
Monitor your blood glucose levels for 3 days before you make further adjustments.
When to adjust dose
The target range for your blood glucose is between mmol/l before breakfast (fasting blood glucose level).
If your blood glucose levels are above this target range for 3 days or more, you can adjust your insulin dose.
When your blood glucose levels are below this target range, you may need to make more frequent adjustments. Do not wait 3 days to make an adjustment.
The diabetes team may set your before-bed blood glucose readings at a slightly higher target. They will discuss this with you.
How to adjust dose
| Fasting blood glucose | Action |
| Above | Increase by 2 units |
| Between | No change |
| Between 3 and | Reduce by 2 units |
| Below 3 | Reduce by 4 units and telephone the diabetes team |
Knowing the correct dose
After a while you will see your blood glucose levels move to within your target range.
Get in touch with the diabetes team if you experience hypoglycaemia (hypos) at any time of the day.
Never stop your insulin suddenly. Always talk to your diabetes team first.
Contact information
Contact the Diabetes Specialist Team at Teddington Memorial Hospital if you have questions about your diabetes or treatment.
Diabetes Specialist Team
Teddington Memorial Hospital
Hampton Road, Teddington
TW11 0JL