Building Competency in Diabetes Education THE ESSENTIALS

3-12 | CHAPTER 3

Figure 2. Learn to mimic a pancreas

Insulin Blood Glucose

Brkfst 0800

Lunch

Snack Dinner Bed

Dawn Brkfst Effect 0800

1900 2300

I n s u l i n n e e d s t o b e a s c l o s e l y m a t c h e d t o t h e B G l e v e l a s p o s s i b l e . Basal insulin: I n s u l i n n e e d e d b e t w e e n m e a l s a n d o v e r n i g h t w h i l e f a s t i n g . Bolus (meal) insulin: I n s u l i n n e e d e d t o m a t c h f o o d i n t a k e a n d r i s e i n B G . Dawn effect: T h e b o d y n o r m a l l y p r o d u c e s c o u n t e r r e g u l a t o r y h o r m o n e s i n t h e e a r l y - m o r n i n g h o u r s . T h e s e h o r m o n e s m a y c a u s e t h e b o d y t o n e e d m o r e i n s u l i n a t d a w n .

© Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes

Key points • Insulin secretion must closely match the BG response to a meal and physical activity. • Insulin is necessary even when you are fasting.