Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas, the large organ that sits above your stomach. Insulin regulates the level of glucose in your blood that you get from the food you eat. This is an important job as without the right amount of glucose, the cells in your body, which have lots of different jobs, won’t have the fuel they need to work properly.

Insulin can only be given by injection as it is broken down by enzymes in your gastric fluids. You will learn how to inject insulin yourself. There are various types of insulin and you and your diabetes team will choose the one that best suits you. Most people inject themselves 2–4 times daily. You can use a syringe, special pens that adjust the dose for you or special insulin pumps. However, insulin pumps are not freely available and you need to have met certain criteria to qualify for one.

As insulin is absorbed through fat, it should be injected into the fatty parts of your body, such as upper arms, tummy, thighs and buttocks. The nurse will show you how and where to inject. You should rotate the place you inject so that you avoid lipohypertrophy (a lump under the skin caused by accumulation of extra fat at the site of insulin injections) and you don't get sore. To help you dispose of your needles, you should receive a sharps container from your healthcare team to safely do this.

People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin and many people with type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy as well. If you have type 2 diabetes, it is natural for things to change over time and you may need to add insulin to your diabetes management plan to help keep your blood glucose in control. Most likely, insulin can help you feel better and have more energy.

The type of injectible insulin you use depends on what you need it for. Here’s how the various kinds work:

Types of Injectible Insulin

Additional Tips:

• Be sure to talk to your healthcare professional about these tips before altering your insulin regimen.
• Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions to receive the most effective treatment.
• Always check the expiry date on the insulin bottle.
• Before taking insulin, check vials or cartridges for frosty rings, clumping or a separation of the liquids. Do not use insulin with these characteristics.
• Do not shake your insulin vial or cartridge to mix it. Instead, roll it between your hands to gently mix prior to use.
• Do not expose insulin to extreme temperatures.
• Take your insulin every day as prescribed by your doctor.
• If you are unwell, call your healthcare professional for advice on how to administer your insulin. You may need to change your dose.
• Store insulin according to the directions on the package or ask your healthcare provider for storage recommendations.
• Have a glucagon kit available in case you have severely low blood glucose. Teach family members how to use the glucagon kit.

Glycaemic Control

 Blood glucose checks are one of the best tools to help you manage diabetes. Be sure to monitor your blood glucose regularly to determine how different foods, exercises and activities affect your blood glucose. This information will be valuable for you to know when you make decisions about your insulin treatment, as well as lifestyle choices.

When you are ill, it is important to check your blood glucose more frequently.

Bayer has a wide range of blood glucose meters in different styles and colours to fit your lifestyle. Click here for more about Bayer’s CONTOUR® meters. They offer ease-of-use and personalisation tools. You could also check out Bayer’s GLUCOFACTS Deluxe software to help you log and track your glucose levels on your computer.

With the right amount of insulin, food and exercise, you can improve your health and take control of your life. And that is a simple win.

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