If/as you lose weight, they say you need less insulin bc it works better…how much do you lower dose or a % lower for say each 10lbs you lose? Or what’s the protocol
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There is no way to know that. Our insulin needs can really vary. One person might use 25 units a day and another use 100. Insulin sensitivity can really vary. Plus your diet plays a part in how much insulin you use.
Probably the only real given is you lose weight you need less insulin and part of that is less pounds, less fat, usually less insulin need. I think there is some kind of starting protocol of how many pounds you weigh equals so much insulin you need when starting …but that definitely doesn’t account for an individuals actual needs.
So if you need to know how much less insulin you might need when you lose weight…it’s more of just adjusting to what works. That pretty much is a life long situation for us type 1’s as weather, stress, sleep, exercise can all make our needs vary. over days or months.
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If I understand you correctly @sweetgal88 what you are asking about is can one reduce insulin to cause weight loss. If you are type 1 or type 2 on MDI the only way to do this safely is to reduce the carbs you eat so you can reduce the bolus insulin dose, which for me is based upon u:carb grams.
Carbohydrates quickly become glucose and into the bloodstream. Glucose not used to fuel cells is stored in the liver, skeletal muscles and fat cells. This is the function of insulin.
The chooses are clear, reduce carbs and bolus insulin or do more physical activities or both.
Type 1 DMs before diagnosis often experience fast weight loss.because of a lack of insulin, but this is not something to do on purpose.
If I misunderstood you, please feel free to correct me.
I don’t have an formula but I know there is one out there. I remember when I was starting up the stem cell clinical trial, everyone felt I was taking too much insulin. So they clean slated me and started me on one basal rate based on my weight.
It worked. Based on my weight at the time we did .6 on my off days and .3 during my work hours. Sure there was some tweaking but it was based on weight. And the Tandem pump and inlet pump use weight in the algorithm. So weight and insulin do go hand in hand.
I have been using much less insulin since I have lost my extra weight. And no I haven’t changed my eating habits. I haven’t gone low carb. Same eating style but less insulin with less weight.
I am sure if you contact you doctor or CDE, they can give you a rough idea. But as with everything diabetes, there is no formula that works for everyone. It is a lot of trial and error. Good luck and congratulations on the weight loss journey.
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Do you do frequent bg checks or have cgm?
That would be best way to see when to change your insulin dosages. Do you feel symptoms when going low?
Do you plan to increase exercise? That may lead to (additional) insulin reduction if done regularly.