How to Adjust Your Insulin Dosages

Susan Renda, MS, CRNP, CDE

Diabetes means your body is unable to produce enough insulin to keep your blood sugar (glucose) at the proper levels. If you have type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), you will need to  use insulin right from the start. Often, if you have type 2 DM, you will also need insulin because your diabetes is progressive or there may be times of stress or illness that require insulin. In type 2 DM, the pancreas becomes “tired” and is no longer able to meet the  requirements to keep blood sugar in control. No matter how your diabetes progresses or what medications are needed, the important thing is to control your blood sugar so that you feel well and avoid complications. Several different types of insulin are available for use. Some of the most common are as follows: