Correction Factor & Correction Dose for Diabetic Taking Insulin

 

The correction factor is the how much the glucose drops over a 2 to 4 hour period following administration of 1 unit of a rapid-acting or short-acting insulin.

 

An initial estimate of the patient's correction factor can be taken from the patient's total daily insulin dose:

 

initial estimate for a correction factor =

= 1700 / (total daily insulin dose)

 

The actual correction factor needs to be determined for each insulin-dependent diabetic.

 

correction dose of insulin in units =

= ((current blood glucose) - (midtarget blood glucose)) / (correction factor)

 

dose of insulin to take in units =

= (standard premeal dose of insulin) + (correction dose)

Situation	Midtarget Glucose to Use
default	100 mg/dL
hypoglycemic prone	120 mg/dL
pregnant female	80 mg/dL
dosing at 2 hours (rather than 4 hours)	140 mg/dL