Insulin To Carb Ratio Calculator
Determines how many carbohydrate grams are disposed of by one unit of insulin from the diabetes treatment.
In the text below the form you can find more information about dosing insulin and carbohydrate counting.
The insulin to carb ratio calculator consists of two separate determination.
The first tab computes the ICR, which is the disposal capacity (in grams of carbohydrate) of one unit of insulin from the daily treatment plan.
This is calculated based on the carbohydrate intake in grams and the number of daily insulin units.
The second tab in the calculator determines the carb coverage based on grams of carbohydrate and insulin to carb ratio.
The two determinations provided by the calculator are ICR and carb coverage.
ICR (x from 1:x) = Carbohydrate intake in grams / Number of daily insulin units
Carb coverage = Carbohydrate intake in grams / ICR (x from 1:x)
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Steps on how to print your input & results:
1. Fill in the calculator/tool with your values and/or your answer choices and press Calculate.
2. Then you can click on the Print button to open a PDF in a separate window with the inputs and results. You can further save the PDF or print it.
Please note that once you have closed the PDF you need to click on the Calculate button before you try opening it again, otherwise the input and/or results may not appear in the pdf.
Variables and formula
This calculator provides the I:C ratio and the necessary number of insulin units and can help clinicians or patients customize their dosage.
Please note that this tool is for information purposes and only a medical specialist should decide your medication dosage.
■ The first tab determines the insulin to carb ratio based on the insulin units prescribed:
ICR (x from 1:x) = Carbohydrate intake in grams / Number of daily insulin units
■ The second tab helps determine the number of insulin units required after a specific carbohydrate intake, based on a known I:C ratio:
Carb coverage = Carbohydrate intake in grams / ICR (x from 1:x)
Insulin dosage guidelines
Insulin dosage that appropriately corrects high blood sugar levels needs to consider the carbohydrate content of meals and snacks.
The daily insulin dosage is divided in two approximately equal components:
■ A constant component: also known as basal insulin replacement, that is used to replace insulin overnight during fasting (between meals).
■ A customizable dose: modifiable based on carbohydrate coverage and used to correct abnormal blood sugar. This component is prescribed as insulin to carbohydrate ratio.
When prescribing insulin, there are several approaches:
Dosing method | Description |
Fixed dosage | A different number of insulin units per meal (depends on personal factors, insulin sensitivity* and time of day) |
Sliding scale of insulin | Based on blood sugar levels (the higher, the more insulin). This method requires constant monitoring. |
Carbohydrate counting | Based on meal content and adaptation of fixed dosage or sliding scale. |
*Factors that influence sensitivity to insulin vary on an individual basis, with level of physical activity and even time of day (some patients require a larger dosage in the morning). Sensitivity is quantified by how efficient the sugar correction is.
Rapid acting insulin aims to regulate the heightened levels and is more effective than insulin with slow action. One unit of insulin usually determines a decrease in blood sugar level of 50 mg/dL.
Commercial insulin products have varying I:C ratio, from 1:4 to 1:30, with most products having an I:C ratio of 1:12 or 1:15. This means that one unit disposes of 12 to 15 grams of carbohydrate.
Carbohydrate counting
Carb counting is an approach to dosing insulin that is commonly used by type 1 diabetes patients on the basal bolus insulin regimen as a method of blood glucose management, dependent on carb intake.
The method involves the monitoring of all dietary carbohydrates. These include sugars, starches and fiber, however, the former is not counted as blood sugar elevating factor.
Carbohydrate consumption is defined as grams or portions (1 portion = 10 g). In more advanced calculations, the glycemic index may also be calculated. Information about carbs can be found in:
■ Food labels;
■ Nutritional information;
■ Reference lists;
■ Online recipe information for restaurants.
The 500 rule
There is a less specific rule for daily carbohydrate intake that states that about 500 grams of daily diet is made up of carbs. This means that by dividing this to the number of prescribed insulin units, the I:C ratio can be extracted. (tab 1)
In the table below you can find the average insulin units in different dosage plans and their corresponding ratios based on the 500 grams approach:
Insulin dosage | I:C |
8 - 11 | 1:50 |
12 - 14 | 1:40 |
15 - 18 | 1:30 |
19 - 21 | 1:25 |
22 - 27 | 1:20 |
28 - 35 | 1:15 |
36 - 45 | 1:12 |
46 - 55 | 1:10 |
56 - 65 | 1:08 |
66 - 80 | 1:06 |
81 - 120 | 1:05 |
>120 | 1:04 |
References
1. Bergenstal RM, Johnson M, Powers MA, Wynne A, Vlajnic A, Hollander P, Rendell M. Adjust to target in type 2 diabetes: comparison of a simple algorithm with carbohydrate counting for adjustment of mealtime insulin glulisine. Diabetes Care. 2008; 31(7):1305-10.
2. Cresswell P, Krebs J, Gilmour J, Hanna A, Parry-Strong A. From 'pleasure to chemistry': the experience of carbohydrate counting with and without carbohydrate restriction for people with Type 1 diabetes. J Prim Health Care. 2015; 7(4):291-8.
3. Mendosa: Insulin-to-Carb Ratios Made Easy; Gary Scheiner, MS, CDE; 2015.
Specialty: Endocrinology
Objective: Determination
Type: Calculator
No. Of Variables: 2
Article By: Denise Nedea
Published On: June 16, 2017 · 01:05 PM
Last Checked: June 16, 2017
Next Review: June 16, 2023