Key Takeaways

Tracking insulin levels is important to manage diabetes.
Insulin tracking can be done manually or with the help of a device.
It prevents low or high blood sugar, helps adjust doses, and identifies patterns.
Monitor blood sugar regularly, count carbs, and be aware of low blood sugar symptoms.

Monitoring insulin is one of the most important aspects of managing diabetes, especially if you have type 1 diabetes and take insulin.

What you need to know:

The importance of insulin tracking
Methods of tracking insulin
The benefits of tracking insulin
Tips for effective insulin tracking

The importance of insulin tracking

Tracking insulin levels is important for people with diabetes. Checking blood sugar levels can help them:

Determine how much insulin to take before meals and understand how food affects their blood sugar.
Identify patterns and adjust their treatment plan as needed.
Avoid low or high blood sugar levels before sleeping.
Understand how different types of exercise impact their blood sugar before and after exercise.
Understand how different foods impact their blood sugar after meals.
Achieve their blood sugar target ranges.

Methods of insulin tracking

You can track insulin manually or with the help of a device, as mentioned below.

Manual blood sugar monitoring

Manual blood sugar monitoring involves using a glucose meter and test strips. This is a ‘finger stick check.’ You prick your fingertip with a small needle to produce a blood drop. You then place the drop against the test strip in the glucose meter, and the meter shows your blood sugar level within seconds. These checks only measure blood glucose at one moment, so people with diabetes, especially those taking insulin, often have to check their blood sugar several times a day using this method.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems

CGM involves wearing a device that measures your glucose levels 24 hours a day. The device uses this data to form a graph that shows a more complete picture of how your blood sugar levels change over time. Most CGM devices use a tiny sensor that you insert under your skin. The sensor measures glucose levels in the fluids between your body’s cells.

Insulin pumps

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Insulin pumps can help people with diabetes conveniently manage their blood sugar. These small, wearable devices deliver insulin doses at specific times and are an alternative to multiple daily injections. Two main types of insulin pumps are available: one with tubing and one without tubing. Anybody with diabetes who requires synthetic insulin may use an insulin pump.

The benefits of tracking insulin

Prevents hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar can lead to serious consequences, including brain damage and sudden death. Symptoms include cold sweats, hunger, confusion, and blurred vision. Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar is associated with an increased risk of complications and mortality. Tracking insulin levels can help you avoid emergencies caused by these sudden spikes or drops in blood sugar.

Helps adjust insulin doses effectively

Sugar levels can spike after a meal, especially if you take insulin. Monitoring insulin levels is important for self-monitoring blood glucose, as it helps your doctor decide and adjust your insulin medication.

Helps you identify patterns and trends

Tracking insulin helps you to see what makes your levels go up or down. These results can also help you decide about food, physical activity, and insulin dosing. They can help you track patterns and adjust your care plan if needed.

Support for lifestyle adjustments

Understanding how your lifestyle choices impact blood sugar and insulin needs can guide dietary and physical activity decisions.

Tips for effective insulin tracking

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Here are some tips you can follow for tracking insulin effectively:

Monitor your blood sugar regularly, before meals, before bed, when you experience low blood sugar, and before and after exercising.
Count your carbohydrates. This will keep you in control of your blood sugar, in balance with your medication or insulin dose, and in control of food portions to manage your body weight.
Set goals for your blood sugar levels before and after meals and before bed.
Know how to fix your blood sugar levels when they are not where you want them to be.
Be aware of low blood sugar symptoms, such as feeling shaky, weak, tired, hungry, lightheaded, irritable, anxious, or confused.
Understand glucose emergency responses.

Tracking insulin can help you manage your diabetes and make informed decisions about your health.

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