1. What is the Daily Insulin Units Calculation?

The Daily Insulin Units calculation estimates the total daily insulin requirement based on body weight and an insulin factor. This provides a starting point for insulin therapy dosing in diabetes management.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F \) — Insulin factor (units/kg)
• \( W \) — Body weight (kg)
• \( DU \) — Daily insulin units

Explanation: The calculation multiplies the insulin factor by the patient's body weight to determine the total daily insulin requirement.

3. Importance of Insulin Calculation

Details: Accurate insulin calculation is crucial for proper diabetes management, preventing both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and maintaining optimal blood glucose control.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter insulin factor in units/kg and weight in kg. Both values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical insulin factor range?
A: The insulin factor typically ranges from 0.4 to 1.0 units/kg depending on insulin sensitivity, with lower factors for more sensitive patients.

Q2: How often should insulin doses be adjusted?
A: Insulin doses should be regularly reviewed and adjusted based on blood glucose monitoring results and changing patient conditions.

Q3: Are there different factors for different types of diabetes?
A: Yes, Type 1 diabetes typically requires higher factors (0.5-1.0 units/kg) compared to Type 2 diabetes (0.4-0.6 units/kg).

Q4: What other factors affect insulin requirements?
A: Physical activity, diet, stress, illness, and other medications can significantly affect daily insulin requirements.

Q5: Should this calculation be used for all insulin types?
A: This calculation provides total daily insulin requirement, which is then typically divided between basal and bolus insulin doses.