1. What is Carbohydrate Ratio?

The carbohydrate-to-insulin ratio (CR) represents how many grams of carbohydrates are covered by 1 unit of insulin. It's a crucial parameter in diabetes management, especially for those on intensive insulin therapy.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• Total Carbohydrates — Total grams of carbohydrates consumed
• Insulin Dose — Units of insulin taken for those carbohydrates

Explanation: The ratio tells you how many grams of carbs 1 unit of insulin will cover for you personally.

3. Importance of Carb Ratio

Details: Knowing your carb ratio helps maintain stable blood glucose levels after meals. It's personalized as insulin sensitivity varies between individuals and can change over time.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total grams of carbohydrates in your meal and the insulin dose you took for that meal. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How often should I check my carb ratio?
A: It's recommended to reassess whenever you notice patterns of high or low blood sugars after meals, or at least every few months.

Q2: Can my carb ratio change throughout the day?
A: Yes, many people have different ratios for different times of day due to natural variations in insulin sensitivity.

Q3: What's a typical carb ratio range?
A: Common ratios range from 5-20 grams per unit, but this varies widely based on individual insulin sensitivity.

Q4: How does this differ from insulin sensitivity factor?
A: Carb ratio is for meal coverage, while insulin sensitivity factor (correction factor) is for correcting high blood sugar.

Q5: Should I round my carb ratio?
A: For practical use, you may need to round to whole numbers (like 1:10 instead of 1:9.5) for easier calculations.