Starting insulin treatment
People with type 2 diabetes who cannot achieve adequate control with diet, exercise and weight loss, need medication.
Most people will be able to manage with oral medication, taking one or more oral hypoglycaemic agent (OHA).
Some people with type 2 diabetes reach a point when OHAs alone do not give them the blood sugar control they need. When this happens, they have to move to having insulin injections.
A positive step
Some people feel worried when their doctor suggests that they start insulin treatment. It’s understandable to be apprehensive about what feels like such a big change to your life.
It may feel like a big step, but don’t think of it as a negative one. Try to view this new treatment strategy as a positive change - one that can reduce your chance of future diabetic complications and improve your quality of life.
How does insulin work?
Once injected, insulin is taken up by the blood and carried along with sugar to the body's cells. Insulin acts like a key, which enables sugar to enter cells. This lowers the level of blood sugar. Body cells, such as the cells that form muscle, use sugar as fuel. After a while, the effect of insulin wears off and you will have to inject insulin again.
Starting insulin treatment: A summary
- When oral medication does not control blood sugar well enough, insulin injections become necessary
- Some people worry about starting insulin; it can feel like a big step
- Starting insulin should be seen as a positive move to get your diabetes under the best possible control
- Good diabetes control helps prevent complications and improves quality of life.
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INS/713/0107
Last updated: May 2007