How to choose the right insulin pump to fit your needs.
What's involved in pump therapy?
Training with the use of your insulin pump.
Setting up your new insulin pump.
How to prepare your pump for use.
Properly preparing the infusion set for use with your insulin pump.
Now your pumping! So now what?  Where do I go from here?
Testing your blood sugars.
Seting your personal Basal Rates and updating them when the time comes.
Bolusing - Correction bolus and meal bolus
Go back to the main page on this web site.

Contact Webmaster

Please visit one of our sponsors while you're here

Your support is greatly appreciated


Testing Blood Sugars

Being on an insulin pump will mean you'll have to really keep a close eye on your blood sugars.  The insulin pump uses a fast acting insulin which acts quickly, and stops acting within 2-3 hours.  If you're not careful, your sugars will rise quickly and cause you a lot of headaches such as DKE or ketoacidosis.  Or if they drop too low, you can have an insulin reaction.

Depending on your doctor, they may have a Target Range to keep your sugar levels at.  You usually don't want your sugars going over 160, because that's when your kidneys start spilling sugar, and you don't want to go under 70 because that's when hypoglycemia sets in.

Most people are comfortable with testing their sugars at least 6 times a day, others test upwards of 8-10 times a day.  The most common times to test your blood sugars are:

  • Shortly after you wake up

  • Just before going to bed

  • Before you eat

  • At least 2 hours after eating

  • Sometimes in the early morning hours to see if your late basal rate is set correctly.

  • At least every 2 hours when you are feeling ill or stressed.

If you haven't upgraded your blood glucose meter in quite a while, it may be a great idea to buy yourself a new blood glucose meter.  Today's meters use less blood, some even use alternate testing sites like your arm, they give results in faster time and they are more accurate.

I personally use the LifeScan OneTouch Ultra.  It gives me results in 5 seconds and uses very little blood.  I can test using my arm too.  So my fingers are usually not as tender.