Ask the Diabetes Educator Archive

9/13/04

Q:
For type 1 diabetes, is it better to use more insulin and compensate with candy if it's too much; or, use less insulin and take a couple units more after 2 hours if the sugar level is still too high? Does low blood sugar (under 30) affect the kidneys or other internal organs? By the way, the levels I'm speaking of are not fasting levels.

A:
In general, the less medication one is on, the better. Episodes of hypo/hyperglycemia and compensating with higher doses of insulin can lead to weight gain and complications down the road. Even if your blood sugar spikes for only a short spurt (a simple sugar reaction), that can be like BB pellets on your nerve endings. Over many years, this can lead to nerve damage and organ damage.