Do I need to carry insulin everywhere I go? Insulin therapy day-to-day

Starting insulin treatment for type 2 diabetes can seem overwhelming, but remember, you’re not alone in this journey. It’s normal to have questions and concerns around the effect on your everyday life¹.

Your healthcare professional will talk you through how to manage your lifestyle, regularly check your blood sugar levels and develop an insulin injection routine². While these may bring some changes to your daily routine, they will help you better manage your diabetes and take control of your overall health. To make it easier, try to keep a new habits checklist handy!

• Carry your insulin with you everywhere
• Get clued up on how to store your insulin
• Check your blood sugars regularly

Let's address some commonly asked questions people with type 2 diabetes may have about starting insulin therapy:

While it's a good idea to carry your insulin with you everywhere you go, especially if you need to take it multiple times a day, this can be tricky to manage if your insulin needs to be kept in the fridge. Here are three tips to keep in mind when traveling with your insulin, including how to travel with insulin that needs to be refrigerated:

1. Keep cool: If you plan to travel with insulin that needs to be refrigerated, try carrying a small cooler bag for your insulin when you’re out and about. This can help protect it from higher temperatures, which can reduce its effectiveness^3,4.
2. Stick to your schedule: Taking your insulin on schedule will help you keep your blood sugar levels stable throughout the day¹. Try setting a reminder on your phone, or download a dose-logging app, to help you remember when it’s time to take your insulin.
3. Be ready for anything: Life doesn't always go according to plan – maybe you missed a meal, or an unexpected activity affected your blood sugar levels. Carrying an emergency snack and being ready to test your blood sugar can help you stay in control of your diabetes everywhere you go⁵.
4. Plan for emergencies: Always be ready to manage your blood sugar if it gets too low, especially when in an unfamiliar place. Be sure to keep your emergency contact details up to date! Try carrying a card on you to let someone know about your type 2 diabetes, so that they know how to help you in an emergency. 

If you have missed an insulin dose, your blood sugar levels can rise, potentially leading to a condition called hyperglycaemia^6,7. You might be extra thirsty, need to urinate more often, feel tired or weak, have blurry vision or experience nausea or vomiting⁷. It’s important to contact your healthcare professional if you experience any of these symptoms, and you don’t have access to your insulin. If left untreated, hyperglycaemia can progress to a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which requires immediate medical attention⁷.

It’s important to always have access to your insulin to ensure you can keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range and avoid additional complications.

It’s important to be aware of how to store your specific type of insulin, to make sure you’re maintaining its effectiveness^3,4. Remember, whether your insulin should be refrigerated or not will depend on your specific medication.

Certain insulin products need to be stored in the refrigerator before opening but can be kept at room temperature after opening. Always check the label for storage guidance of your medication and be sure to use the medication before its expiry date!

If you do need to store your medication in the fridge, always label it clearly. If keeping it out of the fridge, be sure to keep it in a cool, dark place. Remember, direct heat and sunlight can damage insulin⁴.

You likely already have a habit of checking your blood sugar levels frequently, and this continues to be important when on insulin therapy. How often you should check your blood sugar levels will depend on your specific insulin regime and on your healthcare professionals’ recommendations⁸.

Often, checks are recommended before you eat, in the morning or in the evening before you go to bed⁸. When you first start insulin therapy, you may need to check more frequently until you establish stable blood sugar levels. This will help you and your healthcare professional keep track of your blood sugar levels and adjust your insulin doses as needed. If you’re unsure about how often you need to check, having an open conversation with your healthcare professional can help you feel more comfortable.

Testing your blood sugar levels is nothing to worry about! Your healthcare professional will guide you through the process to help you find a method that works best for you. There are various devices available that make this process as simple and painless as possible⁹.

These may include traditional glucose metres that require a small blood sample to measure your current blood sugar levels and can provide immediate results, or more advanced continuous glucose monitoring systems that measure how long you spend in your target blood sugar range⁹.

Learning to test your blood sugar accurately is an important skill that will help you manage your diabetes effectively. Don't hesitate to ask a healthcare professional for help if you're unsure about any aspect of the testing process. Remember, the more you practice, the easier it will get!

Starting insulin therapy can be an important step in managing your type 2 diabetes, but it doesn't have to be intimidating. With support from a healthcare professional, and practice, you'll soon find that incorporating insulin into your daily routine becomes second nature. This new phase of your diabetes management can lead to better blood sugar control and improved overall health.

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