Why Starting Insulin Is a Smart Step
Glossary
Insulin
A hormone produced in the pancreas by beta cells, which is necessary for glucose (blood sugar) to be able to enter certain cells of the body and be used for energy.
A hormone produced in the pancreas by beta cells, which is necessary for glucose (blood sugar) to be able to enter certain cells of the body and be used for energy.
Glossary
Blood Sugar
Sugar in the form of glucose in the blood. Also called blood glucose.
Sugar in the form of glucose in the blood. Also called blood glucose.
Glossary
Type 1 Diabetes
A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a lack of insulin production. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults and affects 10% of people living with diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to sustain life.
A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by a lack of insulin production. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes develops most often in young people but can appear in adults and affects 10% of people living with diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to sustain life.
Glossary
Type 2 Diabetes
A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people, and is the most common form of diabetes.
A condition characterized by high blood glucose levels caused by either a lack of insulin or the body's inability to use insulin efficiently. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people, and is the most common form of diabetes.
Glossary
Insulin Resistance
The body's inability to respond to and use the insulin it produces. Insulin resistance may be linked to obesity, hypertension, and high levels of fat in the blood.
The body's inability to respond to and use the insulin it produces. Insulin resistance may be linked to obesity, hypertension, and high levels of fat in the blood.
- Why you may need to start insulin
- Facts about taking insulin
- Concerns about taking insulin
- Your feelings: It's not your fault! Your diabetes isn't getting worse
Learning you need to take insulin can be tough. One of the first questions people ask is, "Why?" The short answer is: If you have diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or use insulin correctly to control your blood sugar.
- If you have type 1 diabetes, your body makes little or no insulin. You need to take it right from the start.
- If you have type 2 diabetes, your body makes insulin, but your cells cannot use it properly (called "insulin resistance"). Also, your ability to make insulin gradually can decrease over time (called "insulin deficiency").
- Your doctor may have prescribed diabetes pills. All diabetes pills must work with the body's insulin to be effective. Eventually, if you make too little insulin for the pills to work, you'll need to start taking extra insulin to help control your blood sugar.
Facts about taking insulin
Important decisions are seldom easy. Your doctor or healthcare team can help you with this. Knowing the facts can help. Here are some facts about taking insulin:
- Many people with type 2 diabetes need to take insulin at some point.
- Taking insulin isn't a sign of failure; it's a smart response to your body's changing needs.
- You need to take insulin if you can't control your blood sugar without it.
- Do you try to manage your diabetes, but still have poor control?
- Is controlling your blood sugar important to you?
- Have you had type 2 diabetes for a few years?
- Do you often feel tired or sleepy, especially after eating?
- Has your doctor or diabetes educator suggested that you take insulin?
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Concerns about taking insulin
It is both normal and smart to give starting insulin some thought before you begin. If you have questions, it's important to get them answered right away. Here are some of the most common questions people like you have about starting insulin:
- Do injections hurt?
- Does taking insulin mean I've failed?
- Does taking insulin mean I'm sicker?
- Will I gain weight?
- How will I learn to give myself an injection?
- Will I have low blood sugars?
- Will I have to change jobs or give up my hobbies?
- Will it be complicated?
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It's not your fault — your diabetes isn't getting worse
Many people with type 2 diabetes wonder if they did something wrong when they hear they need insulin. The truth is, you did nothing wrong. This is the way type 2 diabetes goes for some people. As expected, your pancreas can no longer make enough insulin to control your blood sugar. With diabetes, it usually takes more than one tool to get the best results: healthy diet, exercise, pills, and now insulin.
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Important Safety Information
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 are for use in patients with diabetes to control high blood sugar. Humalog should be used with a longer-acting insulin, except when used in combination with sulfonylureas in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Humalog insulins are contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients sensitive to Humalog or one of its excipients. The safety and effectiveness of Humalog in patients less than 3 years of age have not been established. Safety and effectiveness of Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 in patients less than 18 years of age have not been established. There are no clinical studies of the use of Humalog insulins in pregnancy or nursing mothers.
Potential side effects associated with the use of all insulins include low blood sugar, weight gain, low blood potassium, changes in fat tissue at the site of injection, and allergic reactions, both general and local. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 should not be mixed with another insulin. Starting or changing insulin therapy should be done cautiously and only under medical supervision.
Humalog insulins are available by prescription only. See the Humalog, Humalog Mix75/25, and Humalog Mix50/50 Patient Product Information for important facts about these products.
Humalog is a registered trademark of Eli Lilly and Company. Humalog Mix75/25 and Humalog Mix50/50 are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company.
