How do I take insulin with a pump?

When you have type 1 diabetes, you can be treated with an insulin pump. An insulin pump is a small computer you have with you all the time. The idea of the pump is that it releases insulin in a similar way to a healthy pancreas. And you can program it to give you the amount of insulin your body needs.

An insulin pump has two functions: basic and bolus insulin. The pump consistently delivers a small amount of rapid-acting insulin. We call it basic insulin, and you adjust the amount with your caregiver. Bolus is the insulin you make corrections with and take with your meals. It is the same type of insulin. The difference is that basic insulin is delivered by the pump automatically, while you type bolus insulin into the pump.

Once you have an insulin pump, it is a requirement that you count carbohydrates, and you can learn more about this in the film 'how to count carbohydrates'. This is because you have to enter the amount of carbohydrates and your current blood sugar yourself when you want to take insulin. When you enter the amount of carbohydrates and your blood sugar, the pump calculates how many units of insulin you need to achieve your blood sugar goal.

There are many different insulin pumps with different functions. With your diabetes caregiver, you will need to find out which one is best suited to your needs. Some pumps dose insulin via a thin tube attached to a plastic catheter that in turn is attached to your skin. Other pumps are cordless and some can work with a sensor that can continuously record your blood sugar values and adjust insulin delivery.

The pump is set up with your caregivers to best suit you. To begin with, your diabetes caregiver will enter your insulin sensitivity and carbohydrate ratio. The settings must be continuously adjusted to suit you and your everyday routine. If you do not have a pump, you can always speak with your diabetes caregiver about whether a pump is a possibility for you.