Basal insulin therapy includes a daily dose of long-acting basal insulin in addition to lifestyle management, tablet medication or GLP1 injections. Generally, this kind of treatment is used to treat type 2 diabetes, which requires insulin therapy. This treatment can also be used for the initial treatment of latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), which involves insulin-dependence.
At the start of the basal insulin regimen, the basal insulin dose is gradually increased on the basis of morning blood sugar until the blood sugar target range has been reached.
The evening/morning paired test should be carried out once or twice a week to see the overnight change in blood sugar. If necessary, the basal insulin dose can be respectively either increased or decreased once or twice a week in accordance with the doctor or nurse’s instructions.
The pre-meal/post-meal tests help determine the quality and quantity of the meal as well as the effect of the treatment on blood sugar. Post-meal tests help with food choices and estimating the quantity of food. Often, it also helps with weight control. On the other hand, you also find out whether your blood sugar is always too high after a meal and whether there is a need to enhance the treatment.
Once the blood sugar balance and treatment have been established, it is often enough to perform pre-meal/post-meal tests a few days a week in addition to the evening/morning paired tests.
Test also when needed and before driving
Your blood sugar may drop too low as a result of insulin. In addition to basic monitoring, you should always perform the blood sugar test if your blood sugar feels too low. You should also check your blood sugar before operating a motor vehicle. You may also need to perform additional tests when you are doing physical exercise or in specific situations, for example, on sick days.