Getting started on insulin for type 2 diabetes

Starting insulin therapy can seem like a big step. You may feel frustrated that your treatment regime is changing, worried that injections will be painful, or concerned that your disease might be progressing.

The good news is that starting insulin can help lead to better health and lifestyle changes. It is also almost certainly going to be easier than you think. There is a lot to learn, but there are many resources to help you get started.

Insulin is an injectable medicine. Unfortunately, insulin cannot be taken as a tablet because it would be destroyed by your digestive system before it could start working⁴.

Most people with type 2 diabetes use an injectable pen to take insulin. Injection pens are designed to be discreet and easy to use. There is a broad range available to suit different needs, including pre-filled and refillable pens. Some even have a hidden needle^5,6.

Before you start administering insulin, your healthcare professional will be able to recommend the pen and injection schedule that best suits your lifestyle and will show you how to administer injections yourself. Read more about tips and tricks to inject your insulin here. 

As you get into the swing of your new insulin routine, you’ll find that insulin treatment doesn't have to slow you down! Once you've mastered your injection technique, you'll find it only takes a minute or two and can be done almost anywhere. Insulin pens are light, easy to carry, and ultra-discreet⁵. Read more on how to manage your insulin therapy in your day-to-day life here.

When you experience high blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycaemia – or a 'hyper' – you may start to feel unwell¹. Knowing the symptoms (thirst, hunger, excessive urination) and how to deal with them is the best way to overcome anxiety⁸. 

Another use of insulin treatment is that it helps you gain more control over blood sugar level highs and lows. Low blood sugar levels are called hypoglycaemia or hypos¹, and you can read about them here. If you keep experiencing hypos or hypers, your healthcare professional will be able to help you adjust your dose.

Insulin therapy can affect people’s weight differently⁹. This is perfectly normal! Click here to read more on why you may be experiencing changes in your weight from insulin therapy. Please speak to your healthcare professional about any unexpected changes you experience.

1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas Report 10th Edition 2021. Available at: http://www.diabetesatlas.org/ Last accessed: August 2024. 

2. CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The effects of diabetes on the brain. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-your-brain.html Last accessed: August 2024.

3. Penckofer S, Quinn L, Byrn M, et al. Does glycemic variability impact mood and quality of life? Diabetes Technol Ther. 2012;14:303-310.

4. American Diabetes Association. Insulin basics. Available at: https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/medication/insulin-basics Last Accessed: August 2024.

5. American Diabetes Association. Insulin pens. Available at: https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes/devices-technology/insulin-pens Last accessed: August 2024.

6. Committee ADAPP. 7. Diabetes Technology: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024. Diabetes Care. 2023;47:S126-S144.

7. International Diabetes Federation Europe. Storage of insulin. Available at: https://idf.org/images/IDF_Europe/Storage_of_Insulin_-_IDF_Europe_Awareness_Paper_-_FINAL.pdf Last accessed: August 2024.

8. NHS UK. Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar). Last updated: 26 May 2022. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/high-blood-sugar-hyperglycaemia/ Last accessed: August 2024.

9. McFarlane SI. Insulin therapy and type 2 diabetes: management of weight gain. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2009;11:601-607.