QUESTION: Lantus

[Hazel]

Hiya, as you probablya remember I was, as T2, prescribed insulin, Lantus, to be taken once a day, in the evening, My readings then where in the mid
20s, I started at 10 units a day.

In 3 weeks, I am now up to 35 untis a day and my reading have just broken into single figures, so I have a bit to go yet.

The Specialist nurse at the hospital says to continue upping the units by 2-3 every other day until I reached to required readings. She does not require to see me until May.

I am doing well, finding it really easy and am already feeling so much better.

My question is - is there a maximu number of units to be taken at any one time. The nurse is on holiday for 3 weeks, so I can't contact her.

Thanks,
Hazel

 

[ikeymo]

Hi Hazel,

As far as I know, there's no maximum dose of Lantus, or any other type of insulin. Too much will cause a hypo of course, but the first priority must be to get the blood sugars into line.

On the other hand, large doses of insulin are problematic over time. They'll make you gain weight, remain insulin resistant and result in poor blood lipids - high triglycerides particularly. The lower the better, in other words!

ikeymo.

 

[sofaraway]

thats good to hear that your blood sugars are coming down, and the insulin is working for you. there isn't any maximum amount of insulin- whatever controls your blood sugars is the right amount. (some people are on over 200 units a day).

I know that once you start injecting large amounts absorbtion can become an issue, so people might split the dose into 2 injections (either taken at different times or at the same time in different sites). I'd ask your DSN if this is something you need to consider, when she gets back from holiday.