Insulin questions

[rustee2011]

Hi - With regards to insulin. I have a question. If you are type 1, I understand that you have to take insulin to reduce your sugar levels. Do you take something else right after you eat, is that a different kind of insulin?

If a type 2 is on insulin, do they have to do the same thing as well?

 

[Caroline]

Type ones sometimes take metformin as it helps reduce insulin resistence, there may also be something else, but some one will be along with more accurate information.

The regime for type 2 on insulin is different and all the type 2s I know who use insulin seem to have a different rgime, again someone will be along soon with more accurate informatio to help you.

 

[shiv]

People with type 1 take insulin to counteract the rise in glucose levels caused by carbs. As Caroline says, some people with type 1 do take metformin, although this is much more common in the USA than over here.

 

[imtrying]

damn it - a question I could answer and everyone else has answered it perfectly already!!! lol

But yes, Shiv and Caroline have said pretty much what I would have done.

T1s (if not pumping) are more than likely to have 2 different insulins - 1 long acting which acts as a background., and 1 fast acting which is injected to counteract the carbs being eaten at the time.

Hope that helps.

 

[trophywench]

Type 1's need insulin for everything - ie in order for the body to have enough energy to make the heart beat, the lungs breathe and all the other essential bodily fuctions. Then when they eat they take extra insulin so the body can use that fuel.

There's an explanation of what it's all about here

http://www.diabetes-support.org.uk/info/?page_id=109

Personally although I do take a tablet to help control my BP and another for my hypothyroid - I take absolutely nothing else actually for diabetes and never have needed to.

(Why do we say we take a drug 'for' a condition? - surely we take it 'against' the ailment? LOL)