(clarifying that bolus insulin is given regularly at mealtimes--daily routine) |
|||
| (9 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | A '''booster''' is an extra shot of [[insulin]], given in addition to the usual [[basal]] dose, to overcome persistent [[hyperglycemia]] or to lower temporarily elevated [[blood glucose level]]s. In human diabetes terminology, it is known as either a corrective or correction dose because it's intended to correct the hyperglycemia. When given regularly to manage the rise in blood glucose from meals, it is known as a [[bolus]] dose. |
+ | A '''booster''' is an extra shot of [[insulin]], given in addition to the usual [[basal]] or basal/[[bolus]] dose, to overcome persistent [[hyperglycemia]] or to lower temporarily elevated [[blood glucose level]]s. In human diabetes terminology, it is known as either a corrective or correction dose because it's intended to correct the hyperglycemia. It can also be referred to as supplimental insulin<ref>[http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040801/511ph.html American Family Physician-2004-Your Insulin Therapy]</ref>. When fast or rapid-acting insulin is given regularly to manage the rise in blood glucose from meals, it is known as a [[bolus]] dose. |
| − | Booster shots in cats and dogs are not widespread practice, not recommended for beginners, and some find them too risky even for advanced use. |
+ | Booster shots in cats and dogs are not widespread practice, not recommended for beginners, and some find them too risky even for advanced use. |
| + | Those who do use them tend to prefer to use a [[:Category:short-acting|short-acting]] insulin to keep effects well-bounded and understood. It is possible to use longer-acting insulins as boosters, but it's harder to predict their effects and interactions with the basal dose and so is usually not recommended. Short-acting insulins can easily cause [[hypoglycemia]] and so must be used only in limited doses and with plenty of experience. |
||
| − | Occasions when |
+ | ==Occasions when extra insulin may be useful== |
| − | * When exercise, infection, or medication temporarily raises [[blood glucose level]]s. (Raising the basal dose is sometimes too risky, but a short-term booster is more predictable and safer in some cases). |
||
| + | |||
| + | * When exercise, infection, or medication temporarily raises [[blood glucose level]]s. (Raising the basal dose is sometimes too risky<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20060830001613/http://www.umassmed.edu/diabeteshandbook/chap10.htm University of Massachusetts-Diabetes Handbook]</ref>, but a short-term booster is more predictable and safer in some cases).<br>Illness places the body under stress, which can raise blood glucose levels. It also goes to work trying to rid itself of the problem; this causes some hormonal release of some of the same [[insulin| counter-regulatory hormones]] the body releases when it feels it's being threatened with [[hypoglycemia]]<ref>[http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/sick.jsp When You're Sick--American Diabetes Association]</ref>. This can make it difficult to keep in good control using the same amount of insulin when there's no illness. Humans with diabetes have "sick day" plans; on those days, more insulin, more [[blood sugar levels|blood glucose]] testing and checking for [[ketones]] may be needed. |
||
* When readjusting dosage after [[regulation]] is lost due to [[:Category:infections|infection]], weakened/changed insulin, or other reasons. It's safest when changing basal dose to drop the dose below the anticipated correct number, then work up very slowly. But during that readjustment time, small booster doses can keep the animal from [[hyperglycemia]] and the complications it causes. |
* When readjusting dosage after [[regulation]] is lost due to [[:Category:infections|infection]], weakened/changed insulin, or other reasons. It's safest when changing basal dose to drop the dose below the anticipated correct number, then work up very slowly. But during that readjustment time, small booster doses can keep the animal from [[hyperglycemia]] and the complications it causes. |
||
* When the animal's current insulin dose gives good response and a low [[peak]] BG level, but not enough [[duration]]. In this case, until the insulin has "settled" and achieves greater duration or the insulin is changed, a small booster dose between shots can keep blood glucose levels in a safer range. |
* When the animal's current insulin dose gives good response and a low [[peak]] BG level, but not enough [[duration]]. In this case, until the insulin has "settled" and achieves greater duration or the insulin is changed, a small booster dose between shots can keep blood glucose levels in a safer range. |
||
* Boosters can also, with enough experience, be used to help diagnose the reasons behind persistent [[hyperglycemia]] after changing insulin. See this thread on FDMB<ref>[http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/read.php?14,219061,219488#msg-219488 FDMB--Giving Booster Insulin Injections]</ref>. |
* Boosters can also, with enough experience, be used to help diagnose the reasons behind persistent [[hyperglycemia]] after changing insulin. See this thread on FDMB<ref>[http://www.felinediabetes.com/phorum5/read.php?14,219061,219488#msg-219488 FDMB--Giving Booster Insulin Injections]</ref>. |
||
| − | Safety tips |
+ | ==Safety tips== |
| + | {| |
||
| + | |-valign="top" |
||
| + | |style="height:1px;border:0;" colspan="3"| |
||
| + | |-valign="top" |
||
| + | |style="padding:5px;border:2px solid #ffb6c1;background-color:#ffe4e1;" width="50%"| |
||
| + | |||
* Don't give 2 insulins unless you know the effect of at least one of them, with this particular animal, extremely well. When you see an unexpected high or low [[blood glucose level]], you must know exactly which insulin caused it. |
* Don't give 2 insulins unless you know the effect of at least one of them, with this particular animal, extremely well. When you see an unexpected high or low [[blood glucose level]], you must know exactly which insulin caused it. |
||
* Dose cautiously, especially with booster insulins. Once a booster corrects a high BG level, the basal insulin may then appear more effective for the rest of the day -- this can lead to unexpected [[hypoglycemia]]. |
* Dose cautiously, especially with booster insulins. Once a booster corrects a high BG level, the basal insulin may then appear more effective for the rest of the day -- this can lead to unexpected [[hypoglycemia]]. |
||
| + | |} |
||
| + | |||
| + | ==Further Reading== |
||
| + | |||
| + | [[Image:Wikicat3.jpg|100px]] |
||
| + | |||
| + | *[[:Category:Feline booster users|Wiki Feline booster insulin users cases]] |
||
==References== |
==References== |
||
Latest revision as of 22:35, 23 May 2009
A booster is an extra shot of insulin, given in addition to the usual basal or basal/bolus dose, to overcome persistent hyperglycemia or to lower temporarily elevated blood glucose levels. In human diabetes terminology, it is known as either a corrective or correction dose because it's intended to correct the hyperglycemia. It can also be referred to as supplimental insulin[1]. When fast or rapid-acting insulin is given regularly to manage the rise in blood glucose from meals, it is known as a bolus dose.
Booster shots in cats and dogs are not widespread practice, not recommended for beginners, and some find them too risky even for advanced use.
Those who do use them tend to prefer to use a short-acting insulin to keep effects well-bounded and understood. It is possible to use longer-acting insulins as boosters, but it's harder to predict their effects and interactions with the basal dose and so is usually not recommended. Short-acting insulins can easily cause hypoglycemia and so must be used only in limited doses and with plenty of experience.
Occasions when extra insulin may be useful
- When exercise, infection, or medication temporarily raises blood glucose levels. (Raising the basal dose is sometimes too risky[2], but a short-term booster is more predictable and safer in some cases).
Illness places the body under stress, which can raise blood glucose levels. It also goes to work trying to rid itself of the problem; this causes some hormonal release of some of the same counter-regulatory hormones the body releases when it feels it's being threatened with hypoglycemia[3]. This can make it difficult to keep in good control using the same amount of insulin when there's no illness. Humans with diabetes have "sick day" plans; on those days, more insulin, more blood glucose testing and checking for ketones may be needed. - When readjusting dosage after regulation is lost due to infection, weakened/changed insulin, or other reasons. It's safest when changing basal dose to drop the dose below the anticipated correct number, then work up very slowly. But during that readjustment time, small booster doses can keep the animal from hyperglycemia and the complications it causes.
- When the animal's current insulin dose gives good response and a low peak BG level, but not enough duration. In this case, until the insulin has "settled" and achieves greater duration or the insulin is changed, a small booster dose between shots can keep blood glucose levels in a safer range.
- Boosters can also, with enough experience, be used to help diagnose the reasons behind persistent hyperglycemia after changing insulin. See this thread on FDMB[4].
Safety tips
| ||
Further Reading
