Subscribe Now

* You will receive the latest news and updates on your favorite celebrities!

Trending News

T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
  • Activity
    • 2 hours, 50 minutes ago
      ConnieT1D62 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I usually take 2-3 times what I think I'll need.
    • 3 hours, 32 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I always bring extra infusion sets and CGM sensors in case of accidental tear out. With Tandem pump, a charger is also essential. I forgot mine in my last weekend away. I use a Dexcom G6, so don't need to finger stick, but always bring my meter & strips just in case, and extra lancets as sometimes my non-diabetic family members like me to check their BG. I always take a vial and syringes in case of pump failure. For overnight trips also bring juice boxes/ glucose tabs and glucagon in case for lows. Hard to travel light as a T1D, especially with those GIANT Dexcom sensor inserters! 🧳🧳🧳
    • 3 hours, 48 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I usually take 2-3 times what I think I'll need.
    • 3 hours, 48 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Just did this and brought almost all of these things. Didn’t think to pack an extra transmitter tho. But, did have 3 ways of administering insulin, plus CGM and regular meter. So, I knew I was good. I choose “loaner pump” too but really it’s an old pump that still works. I actually had to use it the week before my trip for a pump failure emergency, so glad I have it.
    • 4 hours, 5 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Having been a Boy Scout when I was young taught me to be prepared for anything. I tend to over pack for everything. So, I pack just about everything listed. However, I never considered taking one of my old insulin pumps. I'll consider it. But for a 7 day trip, I'm not sure. I guess it depend upon where I'm going.
    • 4 hours, 5 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I was in Boston in 2013 when we were all confined to our hotels while they searched for the marathon bomber. I also remember 9/11 when planes were grounded. I never assume I can easily restock supplies and always take at least double the amount I'll need of everything including my backup pump. Fingers crossed that I never need it. I hope I could be one of the ones who share live saving stuff with anyone who gets caught without it.
    • 4 hours, 5 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Ughhh the extra CGM sensor is the worst. It takes up an unnecessarily large amount of space.
    • 4 hours, 7 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      It is WAY TOO MUCH stuff to be prepared away from home. Generally, half my suitcase. And even more stuff if it is a two-week trip. You missed snacks and glucose tabs.
    • 5 hours, 27 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I was in Boston in 2013 when we were all confined to our hotels while they searched for the marathon bomber. I also remember 9/11 when planes were grounded. I never assume I can easily restock supplies and always take at least double the amount I'll need of everything including my backup pump. Fingers crossed that I never need it. I hope I could be one of the ones who share live saving stuff with anyone who gets caught without it.
    • 5 hours, 28 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Ughhh the extra CGM sensor is the worst. It takes up an unnecessarily large amount of space.
    • 5 hours, 29 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I'm really surprised at the low percentages of people that take extra supplies. We don't carry an extra pump and haven't used one long enough to have old extras. But even though we are, in general, very light packers, we always make sure we have extra D-supplies, in case a sensor fails or is ripped off, a bottle of insulin gets damaged, etc. But it also depends on WHERE we are going. On an overseas trip of any length we'd always take an extra transmitter. But we'd be unlikely to take one on a domestic trip unless we were going for several weeks. We always take pens even on an overnight trip ever since my husband flew to NYC on a day trip with some buddies, his pump failed, he had not brought pens for back-up and his BG soared! I see the burden of carrying extra supplies as the price to pay for insurance that nothing will actually fail.
    • 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Glucose tabs and snacks.
    • 5 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I take twice as much pods, CGM supplies as I know I will need. It is a pain to carry all that junk but necessary. We never know when a pod or sensor will fail. I also take syringes just in case my pump fails which it never has in the almost three decades I have used one. I also carry a few Baqsimi just in case I have a severe low. I carry more insulin than I know I will need since I broke a bottle once when overseas and almost ran out on another foreign trip.
    • 5 hours, 31 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      A while back I went to the UK for a choir tour. I had just acquired a CGM, a G4 Platinum, specifically as a safety measure for the trip. I don't bring second meter any more, but this was before the Dexcom was trusted for bolusing, so I was still meter-dependent and felt I needed an extra just in case. As it turned out I DID need it, but not for myself. There was another, newly dx'd, T1 on the trip and she lost her meter when she left her bag on the bus or some such. So I was able to come to the rescue. It was possible to buy a replacement of course but European/Brit ones are calibrated in moles rather than mL so that was still a glitch--she used mine for the remainder of the trip.
    • 5 hours, 31 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Just did this and brought almost all of these things. Didn’t think to pack an extra transmitter tho. But, did have 3 ways of administering insulin, plus CGM and regular meter. So, I knew I was good. I choose “loaner pump” too but really it’s an old pump that still works. I actually had to use it the week before my trip for a pump failure emergency, so glad I have it.
    • 5 hours, 33 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      It is WAY TOO MUCH stuff to be prepared away from home. Generally, half my suitcase. And even more stuff if it is a two-week trip. You missed snacks and glucose tabs.
    • 8 hours, 29 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Skin prep pads.
    • 8 hours, 29 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Glucose tabs and snacks.
    • 8 hours, 30 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Additional (i.e. beyond what I usually carry with me) glucose tablets and a dose of Baqsimi.
    • 8 hours, 30 minutes ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I usually take 2-3 times what I think I'll need.
    • 9 hours, 16 minutes ago
      Flo Bachrach likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I take twice as much pods, CGM supplies as I know I will need. It is a pain to carry all that junk but necessary. We never know when a pod or sensor will fail. I also take syringes just in case my pump fails which it never has in the almost three decades I have used one. I also carry a few Baqsimi just in case I have a severe low. I carry more insulin than I know I will need since I broke a bottle once when overseas and almost ran out on another foreign trip.
    • 9 hours, 44 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      Having been a Boy Scout when I was young taught me to be prepared for anything. I tend to over pack for everything. So, I pack just about everything listed. However, I never considered taking one of my old insulin pumps. I'll consider it. But for a 7 day trip, I'm not sure. I guess it depend upon where I'm going.
    • 9 hours, 45 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I was in Boston in 2013 when we were all confined to our hotels while they searched for the marathon bomber. I also remember 9/11 when planes were grounded. I never assume I can easily restock supplies and always take at least double the amount I'll need of everything including my backup pump. Fingers crossed that I never need it. I hope I could be one of the ones who share live saving stuff with anyone who gets caught without it.
    • 9 hours, 46 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I agree that it depends on where the trip is. My decision point is how long would it take to get replacement supplies and what are the effects of a delay. I’m MDI Tresiba which lasts >24 hours, which significantly reduces the urgency to replace background insulin. For NYC, I brought nothing extra. For my trip to a third world country- I brought one, and only one, extra of each supply including a CGM receiver. Dexcom wasn’t available where I went and I worried if something happened to my phone, I wouldn’t be able to download the software if I bought a replacement phone.
    • 9 hours, 46 minutes ago
      Jeff Marvel likes your comment at
      If you were to go on a 7-day trip away from home, which of the following supplies would you bring, in addition to what you would normally use in 7 days? Select all that apply to you.
      I'm really surprised at the low percentages of people that take extra supplies. We don't carry an extra pump and haven't used one long enough to have old extras. But even though we are, in general, very light packers, we always make sure we have extra D-supplies, in case a sensor fails or is ripped off, a bottle of insulin gets damaged, etc. But it also depends on WHERE we are going. On an overseas trip of any length we'd always take an extra transmitter. But we'd be unlikely to take one on a domestic trip unless we were going for several weeks. We always take pens even on an overnight trip ever since my husband flew to NYC on a day trip with some buddies, his pump failed, he had not brought pens for back-up and his BG soared! I see the burden of carrying extra supplies as the price to pay for insurance that nothing will actually fail.
    Clear All
Pages
    • T1D Exchange T1D Exchange T1D Exchange
    • Articles
    • Community
      • About
      • Insights
      • Submit a Question
      • Donate
      • Join the Community
    • Quality Improvement
      • About
      • Collaborative
        • Leadership
        • Committees
      • Clinics
      • Resources
        • Change Packages
        • Sick Day Guide
        • Meet the Experts
      • Portal
      • Health Equity
        • Heal Advisors
      • Join Us
    • Registry
      • About
      • Recruit for the Registry
    • Research
      • About
      • Publications
      • COVID-19 Research
      • Work with us
    • Partners
      • About
      • Previous Work
      • Academic Partnerships
      • Industry Partnerships
    • About
      • Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Culture & Careers
      • Annual Report
    • Join / Login
    • Donate

    On average, how many units of basal (background) insulin do you use each day?

    Home > LC Polls > On average, how many units of basal (background) insulin do you use each day?
    Previous

    If you wear an insulin pump that requires charging the battery, do you have a particular time or activity during which you charge your pump?

    Next

    If you are a U.S. citizen, have you ever served on a jury in a legal proceeding while living with T1D? If so, were accommodations made for you to have food/drink, carry any devices, etc.? Share your experience in the comments!

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

    Related Stories

    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Providing the Best Possible Care for Children & Teens with Type 1 Diabetes 

    Jewels Doskicz, 9 hours ago 5 min read  
    Mental Health

    Ask-a-Scientist: Juggling the Mental Burden of Constant T1D Decisions  

    Caitlin Kelly, 3 days ago 7 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Improving Patient Care Systems to Increase CGM Use 

    Jewels Doskicz, 1 week ago 7 min read  
    Question of the Day

    How many low blood sugars do you have per week? 

    Samantha Robinson, 1 week ago 5 min read  
    Insulin & Meds

    Using GLP-1 Medications in Type 1 Diabetes 

    Cristina Jorge Schwarz, 1 week ago 9 min read  
    Meet the Expert

    Meet the Expert: Looking Beyond A1c at a Patient’s Quality of Life 

    Jewels Doskicz, 2 weeks ago 8 min read  

    24 Comments

    1. Steven Gill

      In 2019 I utilized 15 units as a basal dose. As my a1C progressively rose last year, October increased the basal to 27 a day, increased the “carbs to insulin” ratio to 14 grams carbs to 1 unit (was 16 grams to a unit).

      Last year my a1C rose from 7.2, 7.4, 7.8, than 7.9. Last month was 6.7…

      4
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Dustinweisz

      I’m on 1-3 units of basal, was using 10 units until this honeymoon period kicked in. Now I struggle to keep my blood sugar up during the work day. To exercise ive practically have to eat a meal and that lasts about 10-15 min of cardio.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Lawrence Stearns

        I’m completely with you on the exercise. I run, and I have to cut my runs short, every time because my blood sugars drop like a rock. I can’t even think about running unless my blood sugars are over 200. 250 works well. But, I don’t like getting my BS’s up that high. It’s the only way I can get my workout in.

        1
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. Rose Lentzke

        Lawrence, have you created an exercise basal rate? It took me numerous attempts, but I’ve finally got it down to a rate where I can cycle 20-29 miles without having my blood sugar crash. If I do trend downward, I eat a small package of Mott’s fruit snacks.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Sherolyn Newell

      I didn’t read the question accurately. I put in 20-30, but that’s my total average.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Marthaeg

      I use 7 units per day

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. gary rind

      When diagnosed 18 years ago, I was taking 28 units of Lantus (ugh) per day. Through exercising over time, it has slowly decreased to 13 units of Tresiba (yay)!

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. T1DGJ

        Gary, thx for posting. I have been on Lantus for decades, couldn’t figure out if Tresiba was a true substitute. But some talk of… digestive system issues?

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Nevin Bowman

      18.45 which is 55% of my daily total.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Daniel Smith

      I don’t really like this question. A lot of people have it in their minds that more insulin is a bad thing. You need what you need. My basal changes throughout the year from 16 to about 24.

      10
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. TEH

        I totally agree Daniel. After being T1D for over 30 years now, my insulin resistance has increased. Controlling my Diet better has helped. I also knew someone who was taking 5 times more insulin per day than I was.

        1
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
      2. ConnieT1D62

        I agree that we refrain from insulin shaming! There is no “good or bad” regarding amounts of how much insulin one needs for 24 hour basal/bolus coverage. It’s all individual and it is what it is depending on your genetics, age, activity & lifestyle choices and overall heath status.

        1
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Ken Raiche

      Amazingly enough ever since I switched to the keto diet my basal rate has more or less remained the same. So I average between 16 to 20 units per day and the tandem helps me with regulating my basal rate. Love my pump and CGM…..

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. TEH

      After downloading my reports from Minimed, I found the the Auto Basil is between 22.8 U (33%) the week before last and 24.1 U (36%) last week. This is with a corresponding auto mode of 83% and 97% respectively.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Ahh Life

      6.06 units per day (16% of total daily insulin) I weigh 150 lbs (68kg). 80% is food bolus. 1% is correction bolus. 3% is Control IQ auto bolus.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. cynthia jaworski

      it would gbe interesting to see if basal doses correlate with age or duration of being T1.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. T1DGJ

        I have been on 19-24 units if Lantus for decades. The small fluctuation over the years seems to only correlate to my weight.

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Becky Hertz

      20-30, with eating low carb (Dr. Bernstein).

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. Janis Senungetuk

      My 30 day average is 11.45 u, 47.3%. Thank you Tandem and Control IQ!

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. Molly Jones

      My basal is currently set to 7.8 units per day, but delivers @6.7 with control IQ.
      My insulin sensitivity keeps increasing yearly and seems to have nothing to do with physical activity.
      Maybe the amount of glucose your brain uses makes an impact. It takes more energy to think as I age or I am having lots of small focal seizures. Who knows.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Jan Masty

      I had been using 10 but , in spite of nothing else hanging but time, I now use 13

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Janice B

      I use between 12 & 14 units of basal a day a bit more than 1/2 of my daily insulin.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Karen Milton

      I am really curious as to how lifestyle (keto diet vs. high-starch-plant-based) affect our basal dose. I am following the high-starch low-fat plant based diet, and my basal dose is 14 (about half my daily amount).

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Cheryl Seibert

      About 6.5 units of basal.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

    On average, how many units of basal (background) insulin do you use each day? Cancel reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.




    101 Federal Street, Suite 440
    Boston, MA 02110
    Phone: 617-892-6100
    Email: admin@t1dexchange.org

    Privacy Policy

    Terms of Use

    Follow Us

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    © 2023 T1D Exchange.
    All Rights Reserved.

    © 2023 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
    • Login
    • Register

    Forgot Password

    Registration confirmation will be emailed to you.

    Skip Next Finish

    Account successfully created.

    Please check your inbox and verify your email in the next 24 hours.

    Your Account Type

    Please select all that apply.

    I have type 1 diabetes

    I'm a parent/guardian of a person with type 1 diabetes

    I'm interested in the diabetes community or industry

    Select Topics

    We will customize your stories feed based on what you select here.

    2019 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ADA

    9 Stories Related

    2020 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ATTD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 EASD

    0 Stories Related

    2020 ISPAD

    7 Stories Related

    2020 Publications

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2021 ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    2021 ATTD

    4 Stories Related

    2021 ISPAD

    8 Stories Related

    2021 Publications

    22 Stories Related

    2022 ADA

    11 Stories Related

    2022 ADCES

    4 Stories Related

    2022 ATTD

    10 Stories Related

    2022 ISPAD

    0 Stories Related

    2023 ATTD

    6 Stories Related

    ADA

    5 Stories Related

    ADCES

    0 Stories Related

    Advocacy

    21 Stories Related

    ATTD

    16 Stories Related

    Blood Sugar

    0 Stories Related

    Conditions

    7 Stories Related

    COVID-19

    14 Stories Related

    EASD

    0 Stories Related

    General Publications

    73 Stories Related

    Get Involved

    11 Stories Related

    Insulin & Meds

    16 Stories Related

    ISPAD

    1 Stories Related

    Journal of Diabetes

    21 Stories Related

    Lifestyle

    12 Stories Related

    Lifestyles

    0 Stories Related

    Meet the Expert

    19 Stories Related

    Mental Health

    12 Stories Related

    News

    35 Stories Related

    Our team

    25 Stories Related

    Partner Content

    7 Stories Related

    Press Release

    6 Stories Related

    Question of the Day

    25 Stories Related

    Research

    66 Stories Related

    Stories

    18 Stories Related

    T2D

    1 Stories Related

    Technology

    23 Stories Related

    Uncategorized

    2 Stories Related

    We're preparing your personalized page.

    This will only take a second...

    Search and filter

    • Clear All
    • Sort By

    • Select Category