size of needles

[caroleann]

I was just wondering if the size of needle affects how your insulin works for example i am currently using 4ml,i do have quite a bit of belly fat so was wondering if i start using a longer needle if t would make a difference.

 

[AlisonM]

It probably would. I was on 8mm to start and now I'm using 5mm as I've managed to lose some weight. Talk to your nurse/doctor and see what they suggest. Have you thought about using your thighs?

 

[Lauras87]

i've always used 8mm apart from when i was given 6mm by the docs.

i have some bigger needles spare if you wanted to try them out

 

[PattiEvans]

I was happily using 8mm (and yes, I do have a nice cushion of belly fat) until the DSN suggested I would get better absorption with 4mm needles and I switched. I believe the DSN was right.

 

[caroleann]

i've always used 8mm apart from when i was given 6mm by the docs.

i have some bigger needles spare if you wanted to try them out

Thank you for the offer however i do still have some 8mm from when i first started on insulin so i will start using them to see if that makes a difference.

 

[Northerner]

Thank you for the offer however i do still have some 8mm from when i first started on insulin so i will start using them to see if that makes a difference.

Are you having a particular problem that is making you think it might be solved by longer needles?

 

[caroleann]

Are you having a particular problem that is making you think it might be solved by longer needles?

No not realy i was just thinking if the needle was longer then maybe the insulin would'nt have to fight to get through so much of my fat belly,or is this just a daft notion,i am prone to having these😱🙂

 

[redrevis]

How I've always understood it is if you use longer needles the absorption of insulin will be quicker due to having less fat to 'get through'. So if you use 4mm ones then your absorption would be slower. So it all depends on if you want to change your absorption rate and how that will affect things for you.

 

[PhilT]

When I did the X-PERT Insulin course last year the DSN running it said that the recommended needle size for everyone is now 4mm or 5mm.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

That interesting Phil, and certainly not the impression I got in a conversation with a fairly eminent D specialist. I wonder where your nurse got that info from. Would be interested to find out what research has been done