How many insulin units a day

[golddontrust]

Hi, I am type 2 treated with Novorapid & Levemir. I'm currently injecting around 210 units a day, it seems a lot to me, does anyone else need these amounts?
Thanks Debbie

 

[Northerner]

Hi Debbie, welcome to the forum 🙂 Don't worry, you are not alone - we have many members on similar amounts of insulin. The amount you need is what you need to inject and there is no minimum or maximum - just what ever it takes to keep your blood sugar under control. There are, however, ways that you might be able to reduce the doses. Regular exercise will make you more insulin sensitive, and it is surprising what a difference this can make in a very short space of time. Of course, there is also diet, and keeping careful watch on your carbohydrate intake. How are your blood sugar levels generally?

 

[hotchop]

thats a fair bit but if you need it, you need it.

I had some great advice from someone on here who said that I shouldnt feed the insulin and that the insulin should feed me.

I used to be on huuge amounts of Levemir and then Novorapid but have now learnt that to manage down these amounts, I needed to be more aware of what I was eating and also what exercise I was doing.

My reasons for wanting to take less insulin was I didnt want the weight gain usually associated with insulin..

So far so good and I now partialy limit what carbs I eat which means I need less Novorapid and I now go to the gym more often but work harder whilst im there for less time.. if that makes sense

Previously I would go to the gym maybe 3 times a week for an hour and a half and dilly daddle... now I try and go 5 times a week but only for 30 - 40 mins for sweaty, tiring workouts on the tread mill and vibrogym

 

[Vicsetter]

Hi Debbie, sounds like a lot, have you asked your GP? How much is Levemir? I was on 140 units a day of just Levemir and now down to 80 + victoza once a day. Even 80 units is a lot in one injection, get it wrong and I end up with an egg size lump. Are you on Metformin as well. Are you restricting your carbohydrates. I've recently given up my breakfast altogether, seldom have any bread/ fast carbs for lunch and a small amount for dinner.
What are your BG readings like, any hypos? tell us about yourself.

 

[golddontrust]

Hi Debbie, welcome to the forum 🙂 Don't worry, you are not alone - we have many members on similar amounts of insulin. The amount you need is what you need to inject and there is no minimum or maximum - just what ever it takes to keep your blood sugar under control. There are, however, ways that you might be able to reduce the doses. Regular exercise will make you more insulin sensitive, and it is surprising what a difference this can make in a very short space of time. Of course, there is also diet, and keeping careful watch on your carbohydrate intake. How are your blood sugar levels generally?

For the first time in about 18 months my blood sugar levels are below 10.
For most of the last year my metre has just read HI.
I have lost almost all of the weight I need to lose and my diet is good at the moment. I say at the moment because I am Bipolar and very stable at the moment but when I am low I just dont bother with my Diabetic care, I'm my own worse enemy.
Exercise is patchy with me and it only really involves walking, 18 months ago I could hardly walk anywhere because of aching ankles and knees but now the weight is off I can walk for miles and my joints are supple and pain free. I am a bit worried about putting the weight back on with all this insulin but the consultant said that I would put some on but not all of it, we'll see.
Thanks for listening 🙂