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What You Need To Know About Insulin
When you have diabetes, insulin injections may be part of your management program. Insulin is the hormone that helps your cells absorb blood glucose (sugar). When you have diabetes, your body may not be producing enough insulin or may not be able to use it effectively.
Sometimes, monitoring your blood glucose is enough to stay healthy. But some patients need to increase the amount of insulin in their body through an insulin injection or pump.
Your doctor will work with you to determine which type of insulin works best for you and the best way to administer it.
Injection
Insulin is most commonly administered through injection. Liberty offers the convenience of delivering insulin injection supplies to your home, when you order from the Liberty Pharmacy.
Your doctor should also be able to show you how to inject your insulin. Here are a few guidelines:
- Rotating injection sites helps keep skin healthy and increases the speed of insulin absorption.
- The main areas are the abdomen, thighs, and the back of the upper arms. The abdomen is generally used the most. It’s easy to reach and the insulin is absorbed from the abdomen at a more consistent rate from shot to shot.
- Don’t inject too closely to moles and scars.
- If the skin around an injection site(s) begins to look lumpy, stop using that site and consult your doctor.
Make sure you always discard your syringes properly. Without the right precautions, used needles can puncture the skin and cause infection.
- Use a heavy-duty plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Laundry detergent bottles are usually sufficient.
- Safe clips—devices that clip off the sharp tips of syringes for safe storage—can be purchased at any pharmacy.
- When you’re traveling, keep a metal tin or pencil box case with you, to store used syringes in until you can dispose of them properly.
- Some areas of the country have laws about disposing of medical waste. Call your local health department and find out about the laws where you live.
Insulin Pumps
Some diabetics prefer to use an insulin pump instead of an injection. Pumps control your blood sugar through a combination of a constant insulin supply and additional insulin "boosts" when necessary, such as before a high-carbohydrate meal, so you don’t have to plan your daily activities around your injection schedule.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing an insulin pump. Check with your physician to determine if an insulin pump is right for you.
Liberty works with a nationwide network of certified pump trainers and has Certified Diabetes Educators on staff. We can help you choose the pump that’s right for you and answer any questions you have on getting started. If you are currently using an insulin pump—or have decided with your doctor to try using one—contact Liberty at 1-800-597-8635.
†Meter offer available to qualified beneficiaries with diabetes. Not available to current Liberty patients. No purchase necessary. Meter shown for illustrative purposes only. Cookbook offer dependent on patient enrollment. Combined offer available while supplies last. Terms and conditions apply.