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.
Know your insulin
It is important to know what insulin you are taking and how the insulin works.
| Name of insulin | Name of device | Starting dose |
|
AM units: PM units: |
Do not rush any changes
Blood glucose levels can alter on a day to day basis.
We recommend 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
Your diabetes team will set your individual target.
If your blood glucose levels are regularly above or below your individual target, you can adjust your insulin level as directed by your diabetes team.
Only adjust one insulin dose at a time.
The target range for your blood glucose is between:
| Target range before meals | Target range after meals |
If your blood glucose level is 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
| Time of blood glucose test | High result | Low result |
| Before breakfast | Increase evening meal dose | Reduce evening meal dose |
| Before lunch | Increase breakfast dose | Reduce breakfast dose |
| Before evening meal | Increase breakfast dose | Increase breakfast dose |
| Before bed | Increase evening meal dose | Reduce evening meal dose |
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