Insulin for People with Type 2 Diabetes

2021-03-19

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas. Often referred to as the “most powerful” hormone in the human body, we all need insulin to live. Without enough insulin, your body cannot use the sugar (glucose) in your bloodstream for fuel. Without enough insulin, the amount of sugar in your bloodstream can rise to above-normal levels that threaten your short-term and long-term health.

In people with type 2 diabetes, your body is struggling with two things that can lead to high blood sugar levels:

Insulin resistance: This is when your body isn’t responding to normal amounts of insulin and isn’t able to use that insulin effectively to manage your blood sugar levels. Some insulin resistance can be improved through lifestyle changes (like physical activity and weight-loss). For some people, insulin resistance is a deeper issue that cannot always be easily changed. This means you may need support from diabetes medications or insulin to help you manage healthy blood sugar levels.
Beta-cell dysfunction: This is when your body struggles to produce normal amounts of insulin. Beta-cells are produced by the pancreas, then those cells produce insulin. In many people with type 2 diabetes, your body struggles to produce normally functioning beta-cells which means you don’t produce enough insulin. This can worsen over time, and your body is able to produce less and less insulin over time. This means you’ll need more support from diabetes medications or insulin to help you manage healthy blood sugar levels.

After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your doctor will likely prescribe the oral medication metformin first. You’ll also be encouraged to make changes in your food and exercise habits. However, because many people with type 2 diabetes experience gradual beta-cell dysfunction, insulin may eventually be the best medication to help you manage safe and healthy blood sugar levels.

It’s okay if you need insulin!

There is a great deal of shame and guilt that can come with needing insulin as a person with type 2 diabetes. It’s important to note that starting insulin is never the fault of the person with diabetes and that this treatment is to help improve or maintain a high quality of life. Beginning an insulin regimen to manage or improve your blood sugar levels does not mean you have “failed” at diabetes management.

It simply means your body needs insulin to help you manage healthy blood sugar levels.

Today, there are so many types of support and technology to help you live well with diabetes, including long-acting and rapid-acting insulin, inhaled insulin, continuous glucose monitors that check your blood sugar without daily finger pricks, smart insulin pens and insulin pumps!

Check out the resources below to learn more about insulin and how it’s used to manage type 2 diabetes.

Insulin Resources for Type 2 Diabetes Management:

GoodRx Announces New Way for People to Access Lantus for $35

GoodRx partnered with Sanofi to offer $35 insulin coupons to all, regardless of their insurance status, for use at pharmacies nationwide. MORE

Omnipod GO Receives FDA Approval for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes

This FDA approval marks the first-of-its-kind of a basal-only tubeless insulin pod for adults with type 2 diabetes. MORE

This New App is Designed to Make Tracking Your Insulin Easier

If you use Lilly brand insulin, this new connected platform is designed to make tracking your diabetes data a lot easier. MORE

How to Time Your Insulin Dose with Meal Digestion

Learning how to match the timing of your mealtime insulin dose with the digestion of what you’re eating is a key part of managing diabetes.MORE

Switching to an Insulin Patch After 50 Years of Injections

A 66-year-old woman who's been living with diabetes for over 50 years shares her experience using the CeQur Simplicity insulin patch.MORE

What We Can Learn From Diabetes Care in India

Leaders in India discuss the progress they've seen across every facet of diabetes care in the country.MORE

Using Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes: Benefits Beyond Your A1c

Using insulin to manage type 2 diabetes can positively impact more than just your A1c and blood sugar levels. MORE

insulin patch technology Cequr simplicity

Guide: Asking Your Doctor About Using an Insulin Patch

The CeQur Simplicity insulin patch is so new that your doctor may not even know about it! Learn how to get the conversation started…MORE

All About the CeQur Simplicity Insulin Patch

This ultra-thin wearable insulin patch is a simple and convenient way to deliver your mealtime and correction dose insulin!MORE

insulin type 2 diabetes emergency glucagon

If You Take Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes, Your Doctor Should Also Prescribe This…

If you take insulin as a person with type 2 diabetes, your healthcare provider should prescribe emergency glucagon, too. Here’s why…MORE

Insulin Pens vs. Insulin Pumps for Type 2 Diabetes

Using insulin to manage type 2 diabetes comes with options! Here are the pros and cons of insulin pens vs. pumps.MORE

Guide: Talking to Your Doctor About Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes

Starting insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes can be overwhelming—there’s a lot to learn! Here are some questions to ask your doctor to help you get started with using insulin.MORE

Guide: Using a Smart Insulin Pen to Manage Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin pens can be an incredibly convenient option for people with type 2 diabetes who manage their condition with insulin.MORE

Inhaled Insulin: Myths Vs. Facts

Inhaled insulin has been around for several years, but there are many myths about this zero-poke method of taking insulin.MORE

Talking to Your Doctor About Inhaled Insulin

Your doctor might not know Afrezza's inhaled insulin can be used in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Here are a few tips to start the conversation.MORE

The Benefits of Logging Insulin

Logging your insulin may seem tedious, but it actually has benefits that can improve your Type 2 diabetes management. Read our easy tips here. MORE

How Smartpen Devices Help People with Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin pumps aren't the only option for people with T2D to improve their care. Smartpens are a new way to learn how well your insulin regimen is working.MORE

Logging Insulin Dosages 101

Just starting insulin? This easy guide will help you learn how to log your insulin dosages and when to determine the best times. MORE

Syringes vs. Pens vs. Smart Pens: Pros and Cons

Need a quick breakdown of the pros + cons of syringes, insulin pens, and a smart pen? Learn which insulin delivery method may work for you.MORE

Insulin + Temperature: Why It’s Really Important

Insulin is very sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. Even an hour in a hot car can spoil your insulin. Learn how to keep it safe...MORE

How to Calculate Insulin Dosing for Meals

Taking insulin before meals? Learn how to calculate how much you need before eating using these easy tips. MORE

All About Inhaled Insulin

Here’s everything you need to know about using inhaled insulin as part of your diabetes management routine.MORE

The Type 2 Diabetes Guide to Basal Insulin

Basal insulin works like a base regardless of the food that is consumed and helps regulate blood sugars. Learn more in our guide to manage T2D.MORE

Take Insulin? Four Things You Need to Know Before Your Next Low Blood Sugar

For everyone who doses insulin, low blood sugar (also called hypoglycemia) is the most immediate and severe possible side effect. MORE

The Type 2 Diabetes Guide to Bolus Insulin

Bolus insulin can help prevent glucose spikes after meals or correct for high blood sugar. Learn more in our guide to manage T2D.MORE

Ask a CDCES: Why Should I Change My Insulin Injection Sites?

Why should you change your insulin injection sites? Get your answer in our Ask a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (DCES) column!MORE

How Insulin Works

Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate your glucose levels. But it has other functions to help maintain your health. Read how insulin works. MORE

Do I Need Insulin?

Did you know that the amount of insulin produced by your pancreas is limited? When should you begin using insulin as part of your treatment? Find some good advice and orientation here. MORE

Insulin Pumps for Type 2 Diabetes

Did you know people with T2D can use insulin pumps? Insulin pumps can ease the burden of diabetes self-care. Read about how they can benefit you here.MORE

Making the Switch: From Oral Medications to Insulin

People with type 2 diabetes have a choice in the treatment of their condition, and truly understanding available treatment options is extremely pertinent.MORE

MDI vs Insulin Pumps in Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes have a choice in the treatment of their condition, and understanding any and all options is a vital first step in proper diabetes management.MORE