Using Insulin: Page 2

What are some some tips I should know to use insulin correctly?

• Take your insulin at the same times each day (relative to meals).

• Balance your food and exercise with your insulin.

• Too much activity or too little food can make your blood glucose drop low. Know how to treat a low blood glucose.

• Too much food can make your blood glucose go high.

• Rotate the area you give your shots, using a regular plan of moving from one site to another. For example, use all the sites in both arms before moving to your leg. This will keep your blood glucose more even from day-to-day.

• If you take more than 1 shot each day, use a different area for each shot.

• Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator before you change your insulin or insulin routine.

• Write down the exact time and amount of insulin taken. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for a special book to write this in.

What if my blood glucose is not in goal range?

Blood glucose can get too high if you:

• Don't take enough insulin or diabetes pills

• get sick or have other kinds of stress

• eat too much

• Don't get your normal exercise

If one of these is causing your blood glucose to be high, try again to get back to your diabetes plan. Test your blood glucose at least 4 times a day, when you are sick or under unusual stress and when you change your daily routine.

Talk to your doctor or diabetes educator about any change in your insulin. They can help you determine the amount of extra insulin you might take to adjust for high blood glucose using the 1500 rule.

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