Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Zoe on January 26, 2012 at 11:06pm

I don't think it's a very clear phrase, either, Leo. I could see that it would be going to 1 to 8, because then your covering more carbs than you would before. Or it could mean the complete opposite - you're increasing your insulin when you use 1 unit for every 3 carbs. No, not clear to me!

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on January 27, 2012 at 5:02am

I would think that it means take more insulin/ carb. To me, "up" means "more power Chewie...".

Is the meaning discernible from the context?

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Permalink Reply by Bradford on January 27, 2012 at 7:06am

I agree w/ AR. I would think it means you want to "up" the amount of insulin you take (and getting closer to a true 1:1 ratio would be "increasing" in my book, b/c we know a 1/1 number is bigger than a 1/8...it's 8 times smaller). So in your example, if you typically take 1 u per 5 g carbs, I would think "upping your bolus ratio" means you would take 1 u for every 3 g of carbs, which would give you more insulin (an "upped" bolus) when you dial up to eat.

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Permalink Reply by Jen on January 27, 2012 at 8:19am

I agree, I think (and use) the term to mean upping the amount of insulin taken or upping the ratio so it's a "bigger" number as Bradford said.

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Permalink Reply by Leo2 on January 27, 2012 at 3:06pm

It actually isn't discernible from context. I was shocked at the term because, as I see on here, folks are thinking it goes both ways. 1:8 you're covering more carbs as Zoe says. And acid, you're taking it to 1:3, for example. More insulin per carb. Guess the editor didn't catch it. Written by a doctor.
Thanks, everyone for showing that the term shouldn't be used.

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Permalink Reply by acidrock23 on January 27, 2012 at 3:33pm

Well,, I try to be more precise if I'm posting in a thread and spell it out like "if you are taking 10C/U of insulin, try 12C or 8C depending on what you are going for?". That way both the "before" and the "after" of the ratios are spelled out, to minimize the potential for a potentially hair-raising adventure. I don't mind the term that much but I might try to avoid it because of the potential for miscommunication.

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Permalink Reply by karen on January 27, 2012 at 3:33pm

Well it says "increasing your bolus" ratio so I read it to mean you increase the amount of insulin you bolus. I do not see how it could mean anything else but maybe it is because I read things literally.

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Permalink Reply by Laddie on January 27, 2012 at 3:40pm

In addition to your insulin to carb ratio, a bolus ratio can also be a correction ratio. So if 1 unit of insulin usually lowers your BG by 50 points as a correction, you might increase your insulin for a correction by using 1 unit to lower you for every 40 points above your target BG.

I agree with those who think that it means to increase your insulin. But I certainly advise you to never makes changes to your insulin regimen without completely understanding what you're doing.

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