[jusrelaxin]

So I went to take my 1 unit of fast acting insulin before my meal...then after I took it it looked to me as if i either missed the whole unit or a little bit of it because there was some still on the end of the needle after I pulled it out...I ate already because I didnt want to wait...but now im nervous I missed it or some of it and dont know if I should take another unit or just leave it until I take my night time 3 units at 10 pm?

[owlyn]

There is almost always a little drop after you pull the needle out.

But- as a type 1, you probably need more insulin than what has been prescribed so far. You need to learn how to count carbs, and to determine what your insulin-to-food-to-BG ratio is. That ratio works like this (Im using my ratio as an example. Everone is a bit different. Mine happens to be fairly average):

1 unit of rapid-acting insulin (Humalog) = 30 (U.S.) points of BG = 15 grams of carbohydrate.

So, for example, suppose I check my BG before dinner, and I find that it is 170. I need to take 3 units of Humalog to bring it down 90 points (to about 80). This actually takes a few hours, but it is still needed. Then, because I read the packages for all my ingredients for dinner, and figured out how big my portion is (by slice or weight, or whatever), I know I am about to have 90 grams of carbohydrate for dinner. So, that means I need 6 units of Humalog to "cover" dinner. So...

3 units + 6 units = 9 units of Humalog.

Once you determine your ratio, it's just simple math combined with voodoo, because certain foods don't follow the rules (and, yes, it's the good stuff: pizza, Chinese, and Mexican). And sometimes your body doesn't follow the rules, either. So, it's a bit of a guessing game, and not perfect, but you do the best you can. And, of course, exercise factors in, too, but first things first...

Once you have this figured out, life gets easier. You can eat pretty much whatever you want (within reason, or you'll gain weight like anyone else who overeats), and your BG is under better control.

There are other threads here that discuss counting carbs and also how to figure out your ratio, plus I'm sure someone else will reply.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by jusrelaxin

So I went to take my 1 unit of fast acting insulin before my meal...then after I took it it looked to me as if i either missed the whole unit or a little bit of it because there was some still on the end of the needle after I pulled it out...I ate already because I didnt want to wait...but now im nervous I missed it or some of it and dont know if I should take another unit or just leave it until I take my night time 3 units at 10 pm?

It's probably too late for this evening's decision, but in those kinds of situations I'd test at 2 hours, which is about peak action time for fast-acting insulin. If you're a bit high, it may be that some didn't get in (which, as owlyn says, is not uncommon), or that you needed a bit more for that particular meal.

I wouldn't have taken more at the time of the circumstances you describe, because I prefer to err on the side of coming out a bit high rather than low, which is what might have happened if you'd taken more when you didn't need it.

Hope it went well, whatever you decided.

[mortis505]

Owlyn pegged it right on the nose. You need to dose for the carbs you are taking. Not just a general dose to do a coverall. I tried pens briefly and always noticed a small drip on the end. When you inject, press the button and wait 5-10 seconds. This should help.