Understanding Meal Time Insulin and Post Prandial Glucose Control

When a healthy individual has a meal the body releases insulin that keeps blood sugar levels under control.

In patients that have diabetes, the body either does not produce insulin or cannot produce enough insulin to control blood sugars adequately.

Post prandial glucose refers to the sugars that are released into the blood after eating a meal.

Patients with diabetes who take insulin only need one type of insulin to manage their diabetes effectively.

Fast acting, or rapid acting insulins are taken before a meal anywhere from 30 to 5 minutes prior to a meal.

If a rapid acting insulin is not taken on time, there can be a gap of time where sugars are elevated after a meal.

Post prandial glucose or meal time sugars don't typically effect overall glycemic control, such as a persons A1C level.