Insulin and diabetes?

Question

I got a family member who self medicates with insulin. She needs it - how much is too much? She has blood sugar levels over 400 and struggles with depression. She seems to take 3 full shots a day. Is this normal or should I be concerned? She also has a heart condition and has had two strokes. How much insulin should she get? I dont know but I dont want to rock the boat if I am over-reacting.

All these answers are very very good. I can't decide which is better because they are all good. I am putting it to a vote. Thanks though for helping me resolve this issue. =)

Answer 1

Every ones insulin requirements are different. Insulin is measured in units, and I normally take about 50 units a day- However- I have a diabetic friend that takes over 200 units a day. There a a few things that will influence how much insulin is needed:
1.) Body weight. The more you weigh, the more insulin you may need
2.) Diet. the more carbs.sugar you eat, the more insulin you will need to cover your meals
3.) Insulin resistance. People can become resistant to insulin, and will require to take more.
Many of these reasons are different for everyone. The important thing is that your family member keeps her blood glucose under good control, and keeps her A1C below 7.0

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

2

Answer 4

Insulin is different for each and every diabetic. If she is on insulin, then she needs to be on it. Unless she is suffering from low blood sugar levels, there is no such thing as too much. She needs whatever amount it takes to bring her blood glucose levels down to acceptable results.
Given her blood sugar results, she needs more insulin, possibly more that 3x per day.
Insulin is measured in units, not full shots.
You should be concerned. When the diabetes is not being controlled, it can lead to depression. It can also contribute to heart disease and strokes, among many other serious complications.
Go ahead and rock the boat. She seems to need it. Get her to listen to what her medical professionals are telling her.

Answer 5

She is relying on the insulin to control her sugar, which is not good. She needs to control her sugar through her diet, and if she is overweight, she needs to lose weight. Her A1c results must be off the charts. She is probably also using insulin after eating. She should ask her doctor about Humalog and she should test her blood sugar before eating, adjusting her insulin to what the sugar level is and what she is planning to eat.

If she does not, she will run into all the complications of diabetes, like retinopathy and neuropathy, risking blindness and losing her feet., then everything usually falls apart. One of my grandmothers died in her 40s because she did not deal with her diet and weight.

I am a little more careful, but I am not doing all that well either, but I keep trying. Without being judgmental, ask how you can help her, and if you can talk to her doctor about how to help her.

Answer 6

It is not the amount of insulin that is the problem, it is the blood sugars...she should talk to her doctor and go over her blood sugar numbers so they can set up a better plan for her. I take tons of insulin a day, and am thin and strong, it is just bad when your numbers are bad. The insulin replaces what insulin her pancreas would be making, so since her sugars are 400, she needs even more. I have had it for 23 years and am 26, trust me!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

that's available in spite of the undeniable fact that it does no longer be talked approximately as diabetes. Diabetes refers back to the lack of ability of a persons' pancreas to offer adequate insulin to attach to sugar and make it into some thing sensible.

Answer 9

diabetes is one of the most common diseases around...its dangerous only if the patient is not following the doctor instructions...if he did...its as easy as a flu.

my therapy recommendations....

1) her insulin dose should be corrected as this
... units per day = .6ml per kilogram,so if a patient is 70kg....he should take 70*.6 = 42 units per day.

and 67% of these 42 units should be at the day time
so... 42*.67 = 28 units at day time and the rest of the 42 units(( which is 14 units )) is for the evening time.

here. we are talking about a patient following the instructions correctly...otherwise...insulin units should be increased.

2) insuline alone isnt enough with our patient here due its blood glucose results...so an Oral Hypoglycemic agent such as METFORMINE should be added.

3) general rules should be done here like...
doing phsycal activities in order to reduce blood glucose and to increase the insulin-receptors affinity which leads to more insulin effeciancy and better control.

make ur diet rich in fibers and vegetables, try to increase the sea food in ur diet,

wieght reduction is a Must to make insulin work better and so units u take become enough for you,

reduce your Carbohydrate intake,

use other sweetning agents than table sugar,

stop smoking.


about stroke.... it could be a result of a hiddin HYPERTENSION so try to check out any signs of elevated blood pressure and try to control it.

in such situation ACE-inhibitors a drug of chioce for a diabetic patient with hypertension, other medicins useful in this case is Aspirin to prevent any progression to a 3rd stroke, aspirin as an antiplatelets and heparine as an anticoagulant are highly recommended in stroke patients.

Thrombolytic agents also are recommended like streptokinase , reteplase,tencteplase and alteplase activase.


i think when her blood glucose and stroke situation are corrected...her depression will disappear.

i wish her a good health.....

thats all

Answer 10

Well if she takes 3 shots a day its not good.. According to her health status ... She also has heart problem ... So she must cut it down do one shot a day and control on her diet ... If she continues to take three shots a day her livers gonna be damaged and you know how much time diabeties patients need to heal ......