<unk> , in biology, is the<unk>  of continuous supply of some chemical or process. In the case of diabetes mellitus, it is a low<unk>  of continuous insulin supply needed for such purposes as controlling cellular glucose and amino acid uptake. Together with a bolus of insulin, the<unk>  insulin completes the total insulin needs of an insulin-dependent person. An insulin pump and wristop controller is one way to arrange for a closely controlled<unk>  insulin<unk> . The slow-release insulins (e.g., Lantus and Levemir) can provide a similar effect. In healthy individuals,<unk>  is monitored by the pancreas, which provides a regular amount of insulin at all times. The body requires this flow of insulin to enable the body to utilize glucose in the blood stream, so the energy in glucose can be used to carry out bodily functions.<unk>  requirements can differ for individuals depending on the activities they will carry out on that particular day. For example, if one is not highly active on a certain day, they will have a decreased<unk>  because they are not using a lot of energy. On the other hand,<unk>  increases dramatically when an individual is highly active.<unk> s often even vary from hour to hour throughout the day. For example, one's insulin needs vary from activity to activity. Activities, such as sports, housework, shopping, gardening, tidying the house, and consuming alcohol all require a lowering in<unk> . These activities all require energy and, thus, use glucose;<unk>  must decrease in order to keep glucose levels high enough to be used as fuel for the body. On the other hand, fevers, having a cold, taking a nap, taking cortisone-containing medication, and moments of excitement call for different<unk>  needs. In these instances, the body has an overwhelming supply of glucose, and glucose levels need to decrease. To induce this decrease,<unk>  needs to increase to increase insulin release to absorb some of the excess glucose from the blood stream. Those with diabetes mellitus must be aware of their<unk> s and regulate them accordingly.<unk>  can be raised and lowered through various methods. For example, individuals with diabetes mellitus often use an insulin pump to supply an increased amount of insulin into the blood stream. Those with diabetes also may eat carbohydrates or sugars to account for low blood sugar. However one monitors and regulates their blood sugar levels and<unk> s, it is important to make changes gradually. An initial lowering in<unk>  should be no more than 10% of the original. After the initial lowering point, one must note the factor by which one's blood sugar changes. If blood sugar levels decreased, one should lower their<unk>  by 20% next time. If their blood sugar levels increased, a lowering of 10% was too great, and one should not lower their<unk>  at all next time. If blood sugar levels remained relatively constant, a drop in<unk>  of 10% was sufficient. Just as the action to change<unk>  should be gradual in nature, the actual response from changing<unk>  does not happen instantly. A change in<unk>  is felt around two hours after the action is done. This is especially important for those with diabetes to note, as it affects when they should act to monitor their<unk> s. For example, if there is a particular time in the day when one notices a problem with blood glucose levels, they should act to change their<unk>  accordingly two hours prior to when the problem was previously experienced.
Basal rate
Basal metabolic rate
Amplitude of accommodation
Heart rate variability
Renal threshold
Arterial input function
Dark adaptation threshold
Seizure threshold