What is a role of Insulin in the body? What is the importance of Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone made by one of the body’s organs called the pancreas. It circulates all over the human body through the blood stream. The most important role of insulin is its interaction with glucose. Insulin enables body cells to utilize glucose as an energy source when there is an excess blood glucose, known as hyperglycaemia. It also facilitates storage of glucose in the form of glycogen in liver, muscles and fat cells. In simple words, insulin is a key that opens the locks in a cell, allowing glucose (the main fuel for cells to survive) to get inside the cells. It also helps to channelize the excess glucose in circulation into glycogen which is stored for future needs.

Does every diabetes patient needs insulin therapy?

NOT every diabetic patient needs insulin, as we know there are 2 types of diabetes,

• Type I diabetes also known as Insulin dependent diabetes, here from the time of diagnosis one needs insulin as the ability to secrete or make insulin is completely stopped.
• Where as in type 2 diabetes, as the disease advances, patient’s response to oral medication (tablets) decreases subsequently and the need for insulin therapy arises.

Certain conditions where insulin is used for intermediate use, are in case of acute emergencies like a heart attack or a stroke or peri operative stage in the hospitalised settings.

During pregnancy it’s always safe to use insulin, as there is not enough data to use oral medications.

Which are the different types of insulin therapy available for treatment of diabetes? Are there any differences amongst them?

The insulin used nowadays are all human insulin’s which are the exact replica of what the human body makes. There are two different types of insulins:

• Short acting
• Intermediate and long acting insulins.

The short acting ones have a duration of action for about 6-8 hours after it’s been taken. The intermediate and long acting ones have a duration of action from 8 to 24 hours. The new insulins are also called as designer insulin in which the amino acids are tweaked or altered so as to change its duration of action. These newer insulin gives us the advantage of dosing once a day there by reducing the number of pricks.

How should insulin be taken?

Your doctor may ask you take insulin subcutaneously, that’s just below your skin and fat tissue, Common sites are over the abdomen, anterior aspect of thigh, arms over the deltoid or over the gluteal region. When it’s self-administered it’s comfortable to take over the abdomen and thighs. Your doctor may ask you to take before food in certain types of insulin.

 What are the common misconceptions associated with Insulin Therapy?

There are lots of misconception about insulin therapy. In fact it’s one of the lifesaving medications, before its discovery people would not survive for few months after they have been detected as type I diabetes. Unfortunately it’s use is been considered as a last stage in diabetes, now your doctor may suggest it’s use at any time of the diabetes management depending on the need and comorbid conditions.

People feel it has many side effects, In fact it’s the safest medicine available as of today, allergy to insulin is very minimal and remorse. There is a lot of social stigma about taking insulin, people feel themselves as quite ostracised from the normal crowd, this makes them feel uncomfortable and depressed In fact it’s a simple molecule which is made in body, which is delivered from an external source. So the phobia and the reservations towards insulin are not right.

What precautions one should take while on insulin therapy?

People on insulin need to be aware of hypoglycaemia wherein the blood glucose goes low, so timing of the food and medicine are important. When you are travelling or are in a meeting keep some candies handy to counteract the episodes if they occur.

People feel that insulin has to be stored in refrigerator all the time, it’s good to be kept there, but if it’s not available, it’s of no concern with the vial which you are currently using, keeping them at room temperature is adequate, make sure there is no direct sunlight falling on to the insulin.

Dr. U Venkata Krishna Rao
Consultant Diabetologist,
Foot Care Physician.
Synergy Diabetes Clinic
101,R.V.Road,V.V.Puram,
Bengaluru-560004
Ph:080-60013698

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