Disclaimer
The 500 Rule Insulin-to-Carb Ratio Calculator is a tool designed to provide a starting point for insulin dosing based on your total daily insulin dose. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your insulin regimen.
The information provided by this calculator is for educational purposes only. Individual insulin needs can vary greatly and are influenced by numerous factors including, but not limited to, diet, exercise, stress, illness, and overall health.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or insulin dosing. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this site.
The creators of this calculator and the associated website are not responsible or liable for any adverse outcomes, complications, or issues arising from the use of this calculator. The results provided are estimates and should be validated by a healthcare professional.
This calculator does not collect or store any personal data entered by the user. All inputs are processed locally on your device.
By using this calculator, you agree to these terms and acknowledge that the results should be discussed with a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.
500 Rule Insulin-to-Carb Ratio Calculator
The 500 Rule is a straightforward method to help people with diabetes figure out how much insulin they need to cover the carbohydrates they eat. Here’s how you can understand and apply it easily:
Step-by-Step Guide:
Total Daily Insulin (TDI):
First, determine the total amount of insulin you use in a day. This includes both the long-acting insulin (basal) and the insulin you take with meals (bolus).
Example:
If you take 20 units of basal insulin and 10 units of bolus insulin each day, your total daily insulin dose is 30 units.
Divide by 500:
Take the number 500 and divide it by your total daily insulin dose (TDI).
Example:
500 divided by 30 (TDI) equals approximately 16.7.
Result - Insulin-to-Carb Ratio:
The result is your insulin-to-carb ratio. This number tells you how many grams of carbohydrates are covered by one unit of insulin.
Example:
With a result of 16.7, you can round it to 1:16. This means one unit of insulin will cover 16 grams of carbohydrates.
Why It’s Useful:
Simple Starting Point: This method provides a good starting point to determine how much insulin to take with your meals.
Personal Adjustments: You can adjust this ratio based on your blood sugar readings and how your body responds to the insulin.
Practical Example:
Calculate Total Daily Insulin (TDI):
Basal Insulin: 20 units
Bolus Insulin: 10 units
Total Daily Insulin (TDI): 20 + 10 = 30 units
Apply the 500 Rule:
500 ÷ 30 = 16.7
Determine Your Insulin-to-Carb Ratio:
Your insulin-to-carb ratio is 1:16. This means one unit of insulin covers 16 grams of carbohydrates.
Summary:
Step 1: Add up all the insulin you take in a day (basal + bolus).
Step 2: Divide 500 by this total.
Step 3: The result is the number of grams of carbs one unit of insulin will cover.
Using this simple method, you can better manage your blood sugar by matching your insulin dose to the amount of carbohydrates you eat. Always remember to monitor your blood sugar and adjust as needed with the guidance of your healthcare provider.