Insulin – What it is? Its Role, Types and Uses

Insulin for Diabetes

If you or a loved one has diabetes, you may likely come across the term ‘insulin’ a lot. 

In this article, we will help you understand what the word insulin refers to, why it is needed by the body, how it helps, what is its relation in terms of diabetes, the types of insulin that are available, and why some people may need to take insulin in different forms.

What is Insulin?

Insulin is a type of important hormone that is produced in the body, inside the pancreas, and within the beta cells.

With every meal that you have, the beta cells release some amount of insulin that further helps the body to use or to store the blood glucose or the blood sugar that is naturally available from the food that you eat. 

In the simplest of terms, insulin is the hormone produced in your body that helps your body to use the blood glucose from foods that you eat and convert them into energy. 

Uses of Insulin

Insulin is a very important hormone in your body and there are various uses of insulin: 

1. Regulates the levels of blood sugar

• After every meal that you have, the carbohydrates that are naturally derived from the food are broken down into glucose. 
• This is a type of natural sugar that your body later uses for energy.

2. Transports glucose to various cells 

• Insulin helps to move the glucose from your blood and transports them to the various cells all around your body. 
• Insulin helps to naturally open up the pathways leading to the different cells in your body so that the glucose can leave your bloodstream and enter the cells. 
• In cases where the glucose is not able to move away from the bloodstream and enter the cells, it starts to build up in the blood. This can lead to a condition known as hyperglycemia. 

3. Helps to store excess glucose and uses it for energy

• The insulin levels in the body are quite high after every meal. At this time, the excess amount of glucose gets stored in the liver in the form of glycogen.
• In between meals, the levels of insulin drop. At this time, the liver releases the stored glycogen in the form of glucose, back into the bloodstream.
• This helps to keep your blood sugar levels within the recommended range. 

In addition to the above, insulin also helps with the following in the body: 

• Helps to break down the lipids and proteins as a result of any changes in the fat cells.
• Modifies the activity of enzymes and any reactions in the body that may result due to the same.
• Manages lipid synthesis and helps them to get converted into triglycerides.
• Helps build muscles, especially after an injury or ill health.
• Helps to excrete sodium along with fluid volume through urine.
• Improves learning capabilities and memory. 

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Why Is Insulin Given?

For those who have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin naturally. Also, in some cases, even if the body is producing insulin, it is not able to use this insulin in the required way. As a result, such cases require insulin in other forms. 

What Does Insulin Do?

Insulin helps to move the glucose, or sugar, from the bloodstream and into the different cells in the body where it can be stored to provide energy and used later. Insulin will also control the liver from producing an excess of sugar.

Why Are Some Patients With Diabetes Treated With Insulin?

In people who have diabetes: 

• The levels of glucose continue to rise after you eat something, as there is not enough insulin naturally present in the body that can help to move the glucose from the bloodstream into the different cells of the body.
• In cases of type 2 diabetes, the body is not able to use up insulin in the proper way. This condition is referred to as insulin resistance. Also, in some cases especially in people who have type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough amount of insulin. This condition is referred to as insulin deficiency. 
• People who have type 1 diabetes may produce either very little insulin in the body or none at all. 
• If there is a constant build-up of glucose in the bloodstream, it can lead to various other health complications such as damage to the nerves, damage to the kidneys, and even vision problems and blindness.

In such situations, giving insulin becomes a health requirement to help the body have enough insulin so that it can properly use the glucose and avoid it from building up in the bloodstream.  

Types of Insulin

The following are the main types of insulin that are usually given:  

1. Rapid-acting insulin

• This will usually start to work within 5 to 20 minutes of taking, it and will continue to work for about 3 to 5 hours after you have taken it.
• This type of insulin is most effective after about 1 to 2 hours of taking it. 
• Insulin glulisine is a type of rapid-acting insulin that is usually used through injection.
• The inhaled form of insulin is also considered part of the rapid-acting insulin and is usually taken before having your meal. 

2.  Short-acting insulin or regular insulin

• This type of insulin usually starts working about 30 to 45 minutes after you have injected it and keeps on working for about 5 to 8 hours after taking it.
• Short-acting insulin will usually peak in about 2 to 4 hours after you have injected it. 

3. Intermediate-acting insulin

• This type of insulin starts to work about 1 or 2 hours after you have taken it and it is most effective for about 4 to 12 hours after you have injected it.
• The intermediate-acting insulin will start to wear off in about 14 to 24 hours after you take it. 

4. Long-lasting insulin

• This type of insulin takes about an hour for it to reach the bloodstream and start its work.
• Long-lasting insulin will be at its peak between 3 and 14 hours after it has been injected. 
• Its effects will last for about a day.

5. Ultra-long-acting insulin

• This type of insulin takes about 6 hours to reach your bloodstream and start its work.
• It will continue to work for several hours in the same way, and will not have specific peak times. 
• The effects of the ultra-long-acting insulin can work for up to 2 days. 

Things to Keep in Mind Before You Start Taking Insulin

Here are a few things you should keep in mind before you start taking insulin:

• Mention to your doctor as well as your pharmacist if you are aware of any allergies you have to any specific types of insulin or medications.
• Make sure you tell your doctor about any medications you are currently on as well as any health complications you may have. Do remember to mention both prescriptions as well as non-prescription medicines that you may be on.
• If you have ever had any diabetes complications in the past, make sure to mention the same to your doctor.
• If you are planning to conceive, are pregnant, or maybe suspect that you are pregnant, immediately inform your doctor of the same.
• In case you are going in for any surgery, including dental surgery, inform the doctor as well as the surgeon.
• If you consume alcohol or smoke, check with your doctor about anything you need to keep in mind.

Speak to your doctor to understand the right way of using insulin as well as the dosage you need to take. In case you forget to take a dose, ask your doctor how much you need to take and when to take the next dose.