The last two blogs I discussed basal and bolus insulin. People with type I diabetes and many individuals with type II diabetes need both types of insulin. I bet you are asking yourself, “Why can’t I take basal and bolus insulin at once?” Fortunately, for many people with diabetes this is possible. There are insulin mixes. The most popular are 70/30, 75/25 and 50/50 insulin mixes. The mixes are available in regular or analog form. The first number of the insulin mix represents the percentage of basal dose and the second number represents the percentage of bolus dose. For example, in 70/30-R (Regular) insulin, 70% of the insulin mix contains NPH insulin and 30% contains short acting insulin. Ideally, the insulin is injected once a day, however, most people need to take it twice a day for the best results. The long acting insulin such as Glargine, Lantus, Determir and Levemir should not be mixed with other insulin.

How do you use your insulin? I would recommend you talk to your doctor about what would be the best insulin therapy for you. If you have type I diabetes, you need basal and bolus insulin. Basal insulin is usually 50% of your insulin needs and bolus insulin takes care of the other half. You will probably need to take your basal insulin once or twice a day and your bolus insulin before you eat. If you have type II diabetes, your doctor will probably keep you on your pills (oral hypoglycemic agents) in the early stages and wing you off the pills as time progresses. You doctor may start you on a basal insulin, bolus insulin or mixed insulin depending on your needs. However, remember, if your doctor is putting you on insulin, the pills are most likely not working anymore. There are many politics surrounding when doctors should start insulin therapy and I hope to address this in later blogs. However, remember if you are not meeting your blood glucose goals, insulin may be your only option.

If you have more questions about insulin, please email me at askard@stablebloodsugar.com. Allison