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On average, how many units of basal (background) insulin do you use each day?
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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…
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.
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.
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.
I didn’t read the question accurately. I put in 20-30, but that’s my total average.
I use 7 units per day
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)!
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?
18.45 which is 55% of my daily total.
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.
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.
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.
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…..
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.
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.
it would gbe interesting to see if basal doses correlate with age or duration of being T1.
I have been on 19-24 units if Lantus for decades. The small fluctuation over the years seems to only correlate to my weight.
20-30, with eating low carb (Dr. Bernstein).
My 30 day average is 11.45 u, 47.3%. Thank you Tandem and Control IQ!
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.
I had been using 10 but , in spite of nothing else hanging but time, I now use 13
I use between 12 & 14 units of basal a day a bit more than 1/2 of my daily insulin.
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).
About 6.5 units of basal.