Back Off from Insulin Stacking to Avoid Trashing Blood Glucose Levels

Insulin Stacking Could Result in Hypoglycemia

​We love to keep everything under control, be it our life or even what happens around us. When that’s the case, it comes as no surprise when individuals with diabetes do all that’s within their potential to keep blood glucose levels under control. Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body is incapable of producing insulin or using it correctly. To correct this, many diabetics need to administer insulin which in turn helps in regulating blood glucose levels. Only when our body has sufficient levels of the insulin hormone, the cells can absorb enough glucose from the blood preventing raises in blood sugar levels.
 
Hence, when insulin is injected into the body, it helps in decreasing blood glucose levels and keeps them within the desired limits. But, the same hormone, when injected repeatedly at close intervals of time can cause an individual’s blood sugar levels to dip way beyond imagination. The phenomenon here is defined as ‘insulin stacking.’
 
Insulin Stacking
 
Insulin is of different types namely rapid-acting, intermediate-acting, short-acting, ultra-long acting, and long-acting insulin. Inhaled insulin also comes under the category of rapid-acting insulin. Such intake of rapid-acting (or short-acting) insulin occurs before any meal to avoid skyrocketing of blood sugar levels. There are instances where people might using this rapid-acting insulin (commonly called as bolus insulin) to lower their blood sugar levels. Such an insulin acts fast on the body and starts working only after 15 minutes of injecting it and starts to peak after an hour of administration. The effects last up to 4 hours.
 
But, if a person gives another shot of insulin well under the 4-hour period, the shot administered must be decreased to compensate for the lingering insulin inside the body that’s active from the previous shot. Any person with diabetes who suffers from high blood sugar levels or predicts high levels after any meal must accurately calculate the required dose of rapid-acting insulin to control blood sugar levels. But, there are many instances where such individuals might end up miscalculating the required dose of insulin and get themselves more shots than required. Such actions might result in hypoglycemia.
 
Insulin Stacking: A backup for Insulin Levels?
 
Hyperglycemia Dread: There are instances when the individual is well aware of the fact that bolusing emotionally might lead to low glucose levels. But, these people would rather be ok with low levels than higher ones. They can’t bear to see higher numbers but it’s always necessity to keep control over glucose levels preventing occurrence of both, hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia.
 
Numbers Don’t Match: Many times, people have definite numbers in mind and expect the glucose levels to match them. For instance, some feel that the glucose should drop down 30-40 points in an hour or so, and so on. In reality, there is no determined formula for such numbers nor are there stringent rules to adhere by them.
 
Improper Guidance: There are many cases when the individual involved doesn’t fully understand the impact of the rapid-acting insulin. Hence, they overdo the dosages injecting a second dose even before the impact of the first dose wears off.
 
Tackling Insulin Stacking
First and foremost, never blame yourself for the glucose numbers if they don’t come down immediately after administration. Even rapid-acting insulin takes time to act on the body. You might be emotionally inclined to give another dose when the sugar levels go up, but experts suggest waiting for at least 3 hours before giving the next dose. Be calm and cool as there might be times when the sugar levels go high depending on various factors. Hence, the best thing here is to stay tight and check the levels later.
 
Put on the detective cap and check for situations where the blood sugar levels goes high or falls low. Maybe, the levels go low after doing some physical activity or after a second corrective dose. When you understand the pattern, finding a corrective solution becomes an easier task.
 
Technology is both a boon and a bane to mankind. More and more people are using continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to keep a tab on their blood sugar levels. While CGM might be of tremendous help to some people, many individuals making use of this technology become victims to over-blousing. It’s mainly because these devices give a reading every five minutes and waiting simply after seeing the numbers seem impossible for these individuals.
 
Hazards of Insulin Stacking
 
Very high levels of blood glucose levels might result in hyperglycemia which increases the risk of ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition occurring due to the accumulation of waste products. To avoid this, many people succumb to insulin stacking to correct their blood sugar levels. But, too much of stacking can result in hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar levels).
 
Ways to Administer Insulin
 
There are various ways to administer insulin and the choice depends on the individual’s lifestyle, preferences, and insurance. The most traditional method is to use a needle with syringe which sends insulin into the fat layer beneath the skin. A pen injector shaped like a pen is very easy to use compared to the needle and syringe. These pens also send reminders, help in keeping track of insulin doses, and also send reports. Another useful device that comes with a bolus calculator which tells individuals if they set doses at very close intervals is the insulin pump—these machines can either send insulin continuously or send as short bursts.
 
The Bottomline
 
There are various latest-technology devices that keep track of the time and quantity of every dose, gives reminders when it’s time for the next dose, comes with correct dosage depending on the present blood sugar levels, food choices, and also give alerts when the insulin is way above the recommended temperature range. To correct your food choices, get in touch with a dietitian/nutritionist.
 
Use of such technology helps in avoiding insulin stacking as we are provided with valuable data for maintaining blood sugar levels in a constant state. According to the American Diabetes Association, rapid-acting insulin lasts between 2 and 4 hours after injection. It is always suggested to talk with the physician regarding any doubts about insulin. Also, it is always advisable to wait until for at least 3-4 hours after the first dose before taking more insulin.
 
Insulin stacking has the potential to cause debilitating consequences including very low blood sugar levels. Making use of insulin appropriately, keeping a journal on the daily intake, and leading a healthy lifestyle can help in avoiding bizarre changes in blood glucose levels.