Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy. The beta cells of the pancreas make insulin. When the body cannot make enough insulin, then insulin is given by injection, inhaled through a device, or delivered via an insulin pump.
Questions
Q: “I was taking regular insulin before each meal and NPH at bed. My doctor recently switched my NPH to Lantus®, and kept the regular insulin the same. I met someone in a diabetes class who is on a similar routine but uses Humalog® instead of the regular insulin before each meal, and her doctor said the Humalog is better. What’s the difference between regular insulin and Humalog?"
Inhaled Insulin
Q: "Can you tell me about a type of insulin available now that is inhaled? I take a shot of rapid insulin with each meal and a shot of long-acting insulin at bed. I would love to get rid of syringes if I can."
Going Off Insulin
Q: "What is your opinion on going off insulin? I have been on insulin for over ten years, but knew in the beginning that my body was still producing its own. Now that I lost weight, I hardly need any insulin, but I am a little leery to try other meds. Some of the new meds that I have heard about cause weight gain, which I really don't need."
Why does insulin have to be injected?
Q: "Why does insulin have to be injected?"
Forgetting a Shot
Q: "What should I do if I forget my bedtime dose of Lantus®, and don’t realize it until the next morning? I take Humalog® with each meal and Lantus at bedtime. I was so embarrassed to call my doctor and admit I forgot my shot—so I just took the full dose in the morning, but then I got low during the day!"
Diabetes Medication and Weight Gain
Q: "I have been taking insulin (Lantus® 24) since Jan 2002. I used 20 units for 3 months and am now on 30 units, which seems to be working better. I also take Actos® 45mg and Amaryl®. I am now exercising 3-5 days per week but haven't lost any weight. Does insulin interfere with weight loss or make you gain?"
Insulin Pumps
Q: "I was wondering what the pros / cons were of using a pump. I currently take 5-6 shots per day, and my doctor suggested I switch to the pump, but I'm having some misgivings about being "plugged in" all the time."
Lancet and Needle Disposal
Q: "What is the proper way to dispose of lancets and syringes?"
Storage Pack for Insulin
Q: "My 8 year-old granddaughter carries her Insulin in a small backpack- NPH and Humalog®. She lives in a desert area where the temperatures reach over 100 degrees. Do you know of a product for her back pack to keep her Insulin "stable" and "fresh" and cool? Her glucose levels are so hard to control and we think maybe the insulin is not kept cool enough and is submitted to such variations in temperatures on a daily basis."
Insulin Leakage
Q: "How do you prevent insulin leakage in a 3-year-old child with diabetes? I am afraid he is not getting the correct dose."
Insulin Storage
Q: "I read that insulin does not have to be refrigerated. Is that true? I thought insulin always had to be refrigerated."
Bruising and Pain at Injection Sites
Q: "I am a Type 2 insulin dependant diabetic. I inject twice a day and have been doing so for about a year. I generally inject either in my abdomen or thighs. My problem is my injection sites stay bruised and painful. Is there anything I can do to lessen bruising and to make injecting less painful?"
Insulin Cocktails
Q: "Would you explain the term "insulin cocktail" where regular and Humalog® are mixed to handle unusual BG patterns?"
How Insulin Works
Q: "What does insulin do and why does the pancreas make extra insulin when a person eats?"
When to Take Lantus® (Glargine)
Q: "Is it better to take Lantus®, in the morning or in the evening?"
Injecting Insulin—Aspirate?
Q: "When giving an insulin injection is it necessary to pull back slightly to check for blood before injecting the insulin?"
Honeymoon Phase
Q: "My son, age 20, has been diagnosed as having Type 1 diabetes. Soon after beginning to take insulin shots, he reported that his blood sugar dropped dramatically—in the 40s & 50s every morning after taking the shots. He then stopped taking insulin, but continued monitoring his blood sugar. It remained in normal ranges for a week. He even drank a non-diet soda with seemingly no reaction. Is it possible his diabetes was temporary and that he no longer has diabetes?"
Injecting Insulin Through Clothing
Q: "A friend told me that he injects his insulin through his shirt into his abdomen. Is this practice safe? Is this practice common? I would think that a danger exists in pushing cloth fibers into the skin from the shirt. At the very least he might develop a hole or small embarrassing blood spot on his shirt."
Rotating Injection Sites
Q: "I was told to rotate my insulin injection sites, so I alternate the left and right sides of my abdomen. I've noticed a large bump at both of these sites. Am I doing something wrong?"
Using Lantus® (Glargine)
Q: "I am currently taking Ultralente (breakfast 10U, dinner 13U). If I switched to a once daily injection of Lantus®, how would my dosage change? What time do you take it? Do you need to adjust the mealtime doses of Humalog®?"
Important Notice: The responses provided by the team of Diabetes Educators are based on their personal experiences and expertise as practicing diabetes healthcare professionals, and are not to be considered diabetes management advice from Abbott Laboratories. Remember that information provided by the team of Diabetes Educators is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.
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