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Function of insulin

Insulin is an essential hormone and chemical messenger produced by the pancreas. The function of insulin is to allow glucose found in the bloodstream to enter the body’s cells to provide energy. Insulin not only regulates blood glucose levels, but it also works to store excess glucose for energy, keeping blood glucose levels within a narrow range.   

If you have diabetes, your body can’t naturally regulate your blood sugar levels through insulin production. In this instance, insulin treatment is used to mimic the natural insulin response of someone without diabetes.

It is important to get your blood glucose level under control when living with diabetes. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to life-threatening complications such as cardiovascular disease and diabetic ketoacidosis. When blood sugar levels are chronically high it can also damage nerves, organs, and blood vessels. 

Insulin treatment can help people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes keep a balance of the right amount of insulin to maintain balanced blood sugar levels, which is important to stay healthy and avoid further illness later in life.

Things to know before you start your insulin treatment plan

4 tips to help you self-inject without anxiety
2 min. read

4 tips to help you self-inject without anxiety

Self-injecting is a way for you to manage type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But it does sometimes comes with challenges for those suffering from the fear of self-injecting.

Where insulin is produced

Insulin is produced by cells in the pancreas called the islets of Langerhans (or pancreatic islets). The pancreas contains around 1 million islets, and each islet houses four distinct cell types: alpha, beta and delta cells. The beta cells continuously release a small amount of insulin into the body and release surges of the hormone in response to a rise in the blood glucose level. 

Diabetes is caused when immune cells make their way into the pancreas and destroy insulin-producing cells. 

Understand the connection between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Having type 2 diabetes increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. There are, however, many things you can do to reduce your risk including maintaining a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, exercise and by managing your diabetes.

Insulin for type 1 diabetes

People with type 1 diabetes make little or no insulin, and insulin treatment is vital to stay alive. Insulin can be self-administered through injections or insulin pumps (a small, computerised device). There’s also a variety of insulin treatment types for type 1 diabetes, including:

Basal insulin

Provides a constant, steady release of insulin

Mealtime insulin

Brings down spikes in blood glucose (sugar) after eating

Premix insulins

Combines two insulins in a single injection

Insulin for type 2 diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes either produce insulin but fail to use it efficiently (insulin resistance) or don’t produce enough insulin to regulate glucose levels (insulin deficiency). Insulin isn’t the first port of call when treating type 2 diabetes, but as the disease progresses, insulin treatment is often used. 

The types of insulin used for type 2 diabetes are the same as those used for type 1 (basal, mealtime and premixed),  but it’s good to note that insulin types differ in three ways:

Onset of action 

How quickly insulin works

Time of peak action

When insulin has the greatest effect

Duration of action 

How long insulin works for

Managing type 1 diabetes

What is type 1 diabetes?

What is type 1 diabetes?

Understanding the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and recognizing the common symptoms of type 1 diabetes.

Diabetes day by day
6 min. read

Diabetes day by day

Good diabetes management requires awareness and careful planning for all types of environments and situations.

Learn more about living with diabetes and your treatment options

Living with diabetes

Living with diabetes

Life changes after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. There will  be new routines and habits that are important to ensure good health and avoid serious complications down the line.

About diabetes

About diabetes

Diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects the body’s ability to convert glucose from food into energy. In most cases, type 1 diabetes develops early in life and is often diagnosed during childhood, while type 2 diabetes often sets in later in life.

Treatment for diabetes
1 min. read

Treatment for diabetes

Insulin treatment has evolved significantly, and with each advancement, we are closer to a natural insulin response. This has contributed to improving the quality of life and life expectancy of people living with type 1 diabetes.

IE23DI00240. January 2024

References
  1. International Diabetes Federation. IDF Atlas 10th Edition, 2021. Available from: https://diabetesatlas.org/idfawp/resource-files/2021/07/IDF_Atlas_10th_Edition_2021.pdf. Last accessed: April 2022.
  2. NIDDK. Pancreatic Islet Transplantation. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/insulin-medicines-treatments/pancreatic-islet-transplantation. Last accessed: April 2022.
  3. Britanica. Islets of Langerhans. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/science/islets-of-Langerhans. Last accessed: April 2022.
  4. NICE. Insulin. Available from: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/insulin-2.html. Last accessed: April 2022.
  5. Almdal T, Scharling H, Jensen JS, et al. The independent effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on ischemic heart disease, stroke, and death: a population-based study of 13,000 men and women with 20 years of follow-up. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164:1422–1426
  6. Fox CS, Coady S, Sorlie PD, et al. Trends in cardiovascular complications of diabetes. JAMA. 2004;292:2495–2499.
  7. NIDDK. Diabetes, Heart disease & Stroke. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/heart-disease-stroke. Last accessed: April 2022.
  8. Holt RIG, DeVries JH, Hess-Fischl A, et al. The Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Adults. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Diabetes Care. 2021;44:2589-2625.
  9. Diabetes UK. Insulin and diabetes. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/treating-your-diabetes/insulin Last accessed: April 2022.
  10. Buse JB, Wexler DJ, Tsapas A, et al. 2019 Update to: Management of Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes, 2018. A Consensus Report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Diabetes Care. 2020;43:487-493.
  11. CDC. Types of Insulin. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type-1-types-of-insulin.html Last accessed: April 2022.