What are the target fasting and pre‑dinner blood glucose levels for titrating twice‑daily NPH insulin in non‑pregnant adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

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Objetivos de Hemoglucotest para Ajustes de Insulina NPH

Para ajustar la insulina NPH dos veces al día, el objetivo de glucosa en ayunas debe ser 80-130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L) y el objetivo de glucosa precena debe ser también 80-130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L). 1

Objetivos Glucémicos Específicos para Titulación de NPH

Glucosa en Ayunas (para ajustar NPH de la noche anterior)

  • Objetivo: 80-130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L) 1
  • La Asociación Americana de Diabetes (ADA) cambió el límite inferior de 70 a 80 mg/dL en 2015 específicamente para proporcionar un margen de seguridad al titular medicamentos hipoglucemiantes como la insulina 1
  • Este rango refleja los resultados del estudio ADAG que demostró que objetivos glucémicos más altos corresponden mejor a las metas de HbA1c 1

Glucosa Precena (para ajustar NPH de la mañana)

  • Objetivo: 80-130 mg/dL (4.4-7.2 mmol/L) 1
  • Este valor preprandial guía el ajuste de la dosis matutina de NPH, ya que refleja el efecto de la insulina administrada en la mañana 1
  • Si la glucosa precena está consistentemente elevada (>130 mg/dL), indica que la NPH matutina es insuficiente 1

Algoritmo de Titulación Basado en Hemoglucotest

Para Ajustar NPH Nocturna (basado en glucosa en ayunas):

  • Si glucosa en ayunas >130 mg/dL por 3 días consecutivos: Aumentar NPH nocturna en 2 unidades cada 3 días hasta alcanzar objetivo 1, 2
  • Si glucosa en ayunas <80 mg/dL o hipoglucemia (<70 mg/dL): Reducir NPH nocturna en 10-20% 1, 3
  • Si glucosa en ayunas 80-130 mg/dL: Mantener dosis actual 1

Para Ajustar NPH Matutina (basado en glucosa precena):

  • Si glucosa precena >130 mg/dL por 3 días consecutivos: Aumentar NPH matutina en 2 unidades cada 3 días 1
  • Si glucosa precena <80 mg/dL o hipoglucemia: Reducir NPH matutina en 10-20% 1, 3
  • Si glucosa precena 80-130 mg/dL: Mantener dosis actual 1

Distribución de Dosis en Régimen de NPH Dos Veces al Día

Cuando se convierte de NPH una vez al día a dos veces al día: 1

  • 2/3 de la dosis total se administra antes del desayuno 1
  • 1/3 de la dosis total se administra antes de la cena 1
  • La dosis total de NPH debe ser el 80% de la dosis previa de NPH nocturna 1

Consideraciones Críticas de Seguridad

Prevención de Hipoglucemia:

  • Umbral de alerta de hipoglucemia: 70 mg/dL (3.9 mmol/L) - tratar inmediatamente con 15-20 g de carbohidratos 1
  • Hipoglucemia nivel 2: <54 mg/dL (3.0 mmol/L) - requiere reducción de dosis de insulina en 10-20% 1
  • Si ocurre hipoglucemia sin causa clara, reducir la dosis correspondiente de NPH en 10-20% sin esperar 1, 3

Monitoreo Durante Ajustes:

  • Verificar glucosa cada 2-4 horas durante las primeras 24-48 horas después de cambios de dosis para identificar patrones de hiper o hipoglucemia 3
  • Evaluar adecuación de la dosis de insulina en cada visita clínica 1
  • Considerar señales clínicas de sobrebasalización (diferencial elevado entre glucosa nocturna-matutina, hipoglucemia, alta variabilidad glucémica) 1

Trampas Comunes a Evitar

  • No titular demasiado rápido: Aumentar solo 2 unidades cada 3 días, no diariamente, para evitar hipoglucemia retardada 1, 2
  • No ignorar hipoglucemias leves: 84% de hipoglucemias severas (<40 mg/dL) fueron precedidas por hipoglucemia leve (<70 mg/dL) 3
  • No usar el mismo objetivo para todos: Pacientes con hipoglucemia inadvertida o episodios de hipoglucemia nivel 3 requieren objetivos más altos para evitar estrictamente hipoglucemia 1
  • Reconocer el patrón de hiperglucemia "mediodía a medianoche": Si persiste a pesar de ajustes, considerar dividir NPH a dos veces al día (2/3 mañana, 1/3 noche) 4

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

NPH Insulin Dosing for Type 3c Diabetes Patient on Continuous Tube Feeding

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Guideline

Management of Steroid-Induced Hyperglycemia with NPH Insulin

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2026

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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