how do I know how much LANTUS to take?

[small2big1]

Like it says, Im 200lbs 14% bf. I take 24 units of lantus a night, I dont know why I just kinda picked a number! I know that sounds stupid but I guess I figured, 1 unit per hour. However, when I was first diagnosed I didnt even take it! I just took nolvalog after meals. So how do I know if I need it? And if so, how much to take?

[notme]

This is something you need to work out with your doctor based on your past insulin usage, the amount of meds you take, body weight and results of your blood work.

Didn't your doctor give you some instructions on doses?

[jtausch]

Id call him and ask if you take to much you could go hypo

[Subby]

Was that first diagnosed with type 1, small2big1? I know you've posted in the type 1 forum, but it would be good to know a bit more about your condition.

As stated, doc should be a first point of call in understanding and changing doses. They are not always good at that, (giving or explaining good doses or how to find them) but give that avenue a try in the first instance.

[dbaratta]

Like it says, Im 200lbs 14% bf. I take 24 units of lantus a night, I dont know why I just kinda picked a number! I know that sounds stupid but I guess I figured, 1 unit per hour. However, when I was first diagnosed I didnt even take it! I just took nolvalog after meals. So how do I know if I need it? And if so, how much to take?

Your doc gave you insulin and didn't tell you how much to take? UGH. Like everyone else said you should ask your doc. My doc told me to start with 10 unit lantus, then if I am high in the morning for 3-nights in a row, or low, adjust by 3 units and continue on like that. I started with 10 and I am now at 25 and holding. But,,,,,please ask your doc because the lows are no fun.

[DanG]

So how do I know if I need it? And if so, how much to take?

You can do a lot of the research you are going to need on the web, plus ask questions here. I don't think you are getting the answers to questions you asked, however. This is because everybody will take anybody to court for potential bad advise - too bad the world kulture is that way, instead of purely friend helping friend. Any offering of suggestions that anyone here provides, you should research yourself. It would appear that you do not have a relationship with a doctor - neither do I, and I have been using insulin for 35 adult years. Doctors have too much to do, and I am but a small stone in the gears of the medical practice, so I do not depend on a doctor at all.

The lantus is a long acting insulin somewhat required for maintaining all body functions such as breathing, heart, brain, etc. The humalog as it seems you know, will put the food you eat to good use in your body. An insulin pump provides a steady dosing of humalog in very small quantities and hence no lantus is not usually needed if you use an insulin pump. So, if you could mimic an insulin pump and inject a unit or two of humalog every hour, you would theoretically not need the lantus. I have tried that, but it doesn't work well at all.

I would think that if you are not experiencing any problems with 24 units of lantus you should keep on using that amount. I started doing lantus about 5 years ago, doing the lantus at night like the doctor told me. However, I didn't like the insulin action in me while I sleep, as I would wake up with very low blood sugar, so I have been doing lantus in the morning at breakfast for about 4 years.

In reality - a doctor will never know as much as you will know about your body and its use of insulin. Be very careful if/when you adjust insulin dosing - be real careful.