Insulin is a hormone that your body makes to help glucose (sugar) move out of the blood into the cells for energy.

Diabetes is the lack of or improper use of insulin.  This means that we either have to take pills to increase insulin production in the pancreas or if there is no insulin being made we have to take insulin.

You know it’s time for insulin if:

• All of your blood sugar results are over 130
• Your A1C is over 7% for more than six months
• Your doctor has tried all the ways to use diabetes pills               

You may have these other signs too:

• Fatigue
• Nightly bathroom trips
• Depression
• Lack of energy
• Moodiness

What if your doctor says you have to start insulin?

It's not the end of the world. 

Insulin is a natural hormone that when taken properly will help greatly in getting your sugars down to a better range.

Insulin is given by injection, preferably in the abdomen or thighs.

It must be injected because in pill form the stomach acid destroys it.

There are several types of insulin, from long-acting (24-hour coverage) to rapid-acting (three-hour coverage).  Also available are insulin mixes, which will have rapid- and intermediate-acting insulin mixed together in the syringe.  Your physician will decide which approach is right for you.