Type 1 Diabetes: How Are Insulin Injections Delivered?

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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If you have type 1 diabetes, taking insulin is a daily part of your life. This is necessary in order to regulate your blood glucose (sugar) level. You can't maintain your health without it.

One method of getting your insulin is via injection. A schedule for injecting your insulin is worked out with your doctor. Generally, you'll need to give yourself two insulin injections every day, though three or four injections may be required for some diabetics.

Monitoring your blood glucose level by pricking a finger and getting a drop of blood onto a test strip is essential for this. You'll read the results, or use an electronic glucose meter to read the strip for you.

You may need to take regular insulin half an hour to one hour before you eat, or if you take rapid-acting insulin, you may inject your insulin just before a meal.

Insulin injections can be delivered in a number of ways, such as with a syringe, with an insulin pen or an insulin pump.

The injection shouldn't be given in the same spot each time, but it is recommended that you give injections in the same area of the body to better stabilize absorption of insulin. Give your morning dose and evening dose in different parts of your body however, to prevent fatty deposits from developing.

According to Diabetes.org, if you have two insulin injections per day, you will likely use two different types of insulin. You may over time increase to three or four insulin injections daily, using a number of different types of insulin.

Three or four insulin injections daily may best regulate your blood glucose level. It may also be the best way to avoid the damage to eyes, nerves and kidneys that type 1 diabetes can cause.

If you use an insulin pen, you may put a cartridge of insulin into your pen. Other types of insulin pens come already filled with insulin, and are thrown out after a one-time use. You set the dose of insulin on your pen, and inject the insulin with its needle. This is similar to how a syringe works.

Insulin pens, whether cartridge-types or pre-filled pens, are each only used for one type of insulin. If you are using more than one type of insulin, you will need more than one insulin pen.

Another method of insulin delivery is by way of an insulin pump. Insulin pumps offer the advantage of providing rapid-acting insulin on a continuous basis, through a catheter. This eliminates the need to schedule insulin injections throughout your day.

Sources:

Diabetes: Insulin Therapy. Familydoctor.org. Retrieved Nov. 9, 2011.
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/diabetes/tre...

Insulin Routines. Diabetes.org. Retrieved Nov. 9, 2011.
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medicati...

Insulin Pumps. Diabetes.org. Retrieved Nov. 9, 2011.
http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medicati...

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Reviewed November 10, 2011
by Michele Blacksberg RN

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.