What Is Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy is a treatment for keeping the blood sugar levels within the normal range. Insulin therapy is the mainstay treatment for managing type I diabetes and poorly controlled type II diabetes mellitus.
Insulin is a natural hormone produced by the pancreas, which regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin therapy is administered when the body produces insufficient insulin or uses it inefficiently.
Insulin was discovered about 80 years ago, and initially animal insulin was used in treatment. Much better formulations which closely mimic human insulin are now available. The newer products are flexible in dosage and use, with more efficacy and far fewer allergic reactions.
What Else Can I Do To Control My Blood Glucose Levels
Food, sleep, and exercise are all of vital importance for regulating your blood sugar when you have diabetes.
Things To Do When You Do Not Get A Toaster For Storing Insulin
Even though this could be a problem in more distant places, one tip is to set the insulin vial in a plastic bag, tie a rubber band around it and add it into an earthen pot or a wide-mouthed jar full of water.
Take the vial outside and maintain at room temperature, a minimum of 30 minutes before use.
Relevant Resources:
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How Is Insulin Injection Given
Insulin injections are usually administered by the patients, themselves, their caregivers or a parent/guardian in the case of a child. Insulin injections are subcutaneous, administered in the fat tissue beneath the skin. The sites for the injection, which should regularly rotate, may be:
- Front or side of the thigh
- Abdomen
- Outer side of the upper arm
- Upper outer quadrant of the buttocks
The important points of care for the patients during self-administration of insulin injections include the following:
- Washing hands before injection
- Correct time, dose and technique to administer the injection
- Dealing with possible steep drop in blood sugar with insulin
Injection technique
- Roll the insulin bottle several times between the palms .
- Remove the lid and wipe the bottleâs rubber top with an alcohol swab.
- Pull air into the syringe by pulling back the plunger up to the line showing the required dose.
- Push the needle through the bottleâs rubber top and push in the air.
- Turn the bottle and syringe upside down and draw in the required dose using the plunger
- Pinch up some skin in the chosen area and insert the needle.
- Push the plunger till the syringe is empty and hold in place for five seconds.
- Let go of the pinched skin and withdraw the needle.
- Press the insertion point for a few seconds if there is blood or insulin oozing out, but do not rub the area.
Prefilled pens
Mixing two insulins
How It Feels When Taking Refrigerated Insulin
The perspectives on using insulin, whereas chilly, do fluctuate. Many men and women state that insulin is much more comfortable when it is not injected chilly meaning it is less painful and comfier at room temperature.
And others say it is a lot easier to eliminate the air bubbles once the insulin is at room temperature.
Thus, to make taking insulin comfier, the overall recommendation is to maintain any refrigerated insulin, you are likely to utilize it for a couple of minutes until you choose it.
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What Is The Fasting Insulin Test
When it comes to blood sugar issues, early detection is key. Detecting an issue early can help you avoid it becoming a full-blown chronic illness.
This is where the fasting insulin test comes in. The fasting insulin test not to be confused with the fasting glucose test is one of the most accurate tests available to detect a trend toward pre-diabetes. We call it the pre-pre-diabetes test because it measures your insulin levels, which typically become imbalanced long before glucose or HbA1C levels.
Most doctors screen patients for diabetes with the fasting glucose test. If that test comes back normal, they tell you youre good to go. Unfortunately, its not always accurate at picking up a potential blood sugar issue: your body will often compensate for an issue by raising insulin levels to keep your blood glucose and HbA1c in check.
Even if the results of your blood glucose test are fine, you could still be in the early stages of developing a blood sugar issue. The fasting insulin test, however, will pick it up.
To be clear, blood glucose and HbA1C testing are valuable, but the fasting insulin test is ideal for predicting early signs of blood sugar trouble.
At Knew Health, we encourage you to discuss your fasting insulin test results and your HbA1c test results along with your doctor and your Health Coach to develop a plan.
How Should I Store My Insulin
- Keep current insulin at room temperature to help alleviate injection discomfort.
- Insulin can usually be stored at room temperature for about a month. Once in use, insulin pens should be stored at room temperature. Expiration dates of insulin pens can vary depending upon the type of insulin. For disposable pens, you should discard the entire device when empty or when you reach the expiration date.
- Store extra insulin in the refrigerator.
- Dont expose insulin to excessive cold or heat.
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All Insulin Pens And Vials Starting Breaking Down After 28 Days
As soon as you open a vial or pen of insulin, it has about 28 to 30 days when stored at room temperature before it starts to gradually breakdown even if you continue to store it in the fridge between doses. This doesnt mean you necessarily have to throw out all opened insulin after 28 days but be very mindful of your blood sugars. Many insulin users have shared using insulin past the 28-day mark, but remark that day 45 is when it truly loses its potency.
As insulin breaks down, it becomes less effective at managing your blood sugar. When this becomes noticeable in your blood sugar, definitely consider swapping that vial or pen out for a new one.
Many people use a pen or vial completely before the 28-day mark, making this a non-issue.
Who Should Get The Fasting Insulin Test
Considering that one-third of Americans have insulin resistance, we highly recommend everyone have an annual fasting insulin test. However, its especially important to have a test done if you have the following symptoms of insulin resistance.
The good news is that all Knew Health Members have access to this test through our laboratory diagnostics partner.
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The True Cost Of Having A Diabetic Dog
There are days it feels like Bender is a drain on my wallet. And it really doesnt help that every time I visit the vet I see the total amount that Ive spent that year. But what does it really cost me? Bender is a 50lbs dog. High energy and Im giving him a lot of insulin. He isnt an extreme case but he is worse than most. For one month. 1 bag of W/D food 30lbs $62 2 Vetsulin 10ml $50 62 needles $7.13 5 testing strips $5 Total: Roughly $125 a month. That doesnt include if I need to take him to the vet or any other treats/general care items. Ive switched his food to natural home cooked food. Im hoping to reduce the amount of insulin. Although the cost of his home cooked food will be about the same as his W/D. The cost will probably be more if you have a larger dog and of course less if you have a smaller dog.Continue reading > >
How Many Doses In A Lantus 10ml Multiple Dose Vial And How Long Will It Last Me
The Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial is 100Units/mL and is a 10mL unit, so each Lantus multiple dose vial contains 1000 units.
To work out how long one Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial will last you, you need to divide 1000 units by your daily dose. For example:
- If you are using 40 units a day
- 1000÷40= 25 days
- The Lantus 10mL multiple dose vial will last you 25 days.
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Expiration Date Thats Printed On The Insulin Bottle Or Pen
This expiration date can be seen printed on the clear part of the insulin vial/pen. This means that if the insulin is kept unopened in the refrigerator, the insulin will start to degrade after this expiration date. This applies even if the insulin has never been used within that period. The date indicates that the insulin will start to degrade after the expiration date has been reached.
Degrade, in this sense, means that the insulin might be less effective in managing blood sugar levels. This may result in uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
If the insulin is not refrigerated, theres a good chance that the insulin will start to degrade long before the expiration date has been reached, even if its never been used. Heres the guide on insulin refrigeration.
Usually, the insulin expiration date is at least one year from the date the insulin is taken from the pharmacy.
Storage Of Novo Nordisk Reusable Insulin Delivery Devices And Penfill Cartridges
In-use Novolin PenFill cartridges should be protected from extreme temperatures and sunlight. Unrefrigerated in-use Novolin PenFill cartridges can be used 28 days for Novolin R PenFill, 14 days for Novolin N PenFill, and 10 days for Novolin 70/30 PenFill. Unrefrigerated PenFill cartridges should be discarded if not used within the time periods listed above. Storage at extreme temperatures should be avoided because the physical properties of the insulin may be altered.
Expiration dates for refrigerated unopened product and in-use times for opened room temperature product are based on data generated by Novo Nordisk and approved by regulatory authorities, such as the Food and Drug Administration, to ensure that the potency of a properly handled product is maintained while the product is in use. These times differ by brand and type of insulin, as well as by product presentation , to ensure the longest in-use time without sacrificing potency. Proper storage and handling of insulin products is essential and must be considered as part of routine daily care by both the physician and patient when using insulin.
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Expiration Date Mentioned On The Paperwork
This is the expiration date insulin users pay less attention to. Patients may experience fluctuating blood sugar levels after having used insulin that passes this expiration date.
The moment unopened insulin that has been refrigerated is taken out of the refrigerator and opened, it has a 28-day life span before it expires.
This means that opened insulin has to be discarded after 28 days of opening. This is the general recommendation made by insulin manufacturers that comes in the thick paperwork, which few people read and are unaware of.
To put it into a clearer picture, assume the expiration date of the insulin that is mentioned on the bottle/pen says May next year, but you opened the insulin on January 1st this year. Since the bottle is opened, you should discard the insulin by January 28th, which will mark 28 days after the insulin has been opened.
Had you not opened the insulin at all, it should be discarded before the unopened expiration date, which would be May next year in this example.
Unfortunately, this also means that one might have to throw away insulin, which may be disappointing given the high insulin prices. For example, assume the insulin vial has about ¼ or ½ of the insulin remaining after the 28 days. There is no option but to throw it away.
How Do You Take Insulin Without A Syringe
- Insulin pens look like large writing pens and can help prevent under- and overdosing. They also dont require refrigeration, are conveniently prefilled, and are more durable than syringes.
- Insulin pumps are attached to a thin tube thats implanted under your skin. Pumps are computerized or motorized, and some models also act as glucose monitors. They deliver insulin before each meal along with small amounts through the course of the day. In the US, about 60% of people with diabetes use some form of insulin pump.
- Jet injection devices are a good option if you hate needles. A jet injector holds several doses of insulin. After placing it against your skin, you press a button, and the insulin is pushed through.
- Inhalable insulin comes in a premeasured inhaler and was first approved in 2014. Its short-acting and usually not covered by insurance, which makes it more cost prohibitive than other types of insulin for most people with diabetes.
Unless you have an insulin pump that also works as a glucose monitor, insulin dosing is based on self-monitoring your blood glucose levels. You can check them by doing finger pricks or wearing a device that continuously monitors them for you.
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Insulin Expiration Dates: An Update
In the past, we have endeavored to provide LTC caregivers with the most accurate and current information regarding expiration dates of various drugs to avoid any confusion or unsafe practices. Though it has not been that long since we provided an insulin expiration list, there have been some updates and we wanted to provide you with a comprehensive overview/cheat-sheet!
Please note, all insulinsshould be stored in the refrigerator until opening and protected from light. Once opened or removed from the refrigerator for storage in the medication cart, the insulin should be dated as it will expire in a specified time per manufacturer.
Can Expired Insulin Hurt You
If youre concerned that expired insulin might hurt or harm you when used, the answer is yes, it could potentially harm you. While the expired insulin may not always hurt when injecting, it may cause further complications to your health.
One such common outcome of using expired insulin is hyperglycemia, which is high blood sugar. Health complications, such as organ and nerve damage, can occur from chronically high blood sugar levels. Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur due to severely elevated blood sugar levels, which can lead to a coma and even death.
Side effects of high blood sugar include:
- Blurred vision
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How To Identify Bad Insulin
Check for bad insulin should be properly done to identify bad insulin before you use it. According to the American Diabetes Association, insulin is a critical hormone that is missing in the bodies of diabetics, and without it, the effects of diabetes intensify, and can cause system-wide problems. How insulin is stored, is critically important.
INSULIN
Ways To Utilize An Insulin Pen
Each time you utilize your pen:
- Examine the expiration date and kind of insulin .
- Inspect to earn sure that your insulin is not clumpy which your fast-acting insulin is clear and anemic.
- Roll the pen in your hands, as well as after that carefully turn the pen if it is an insulin mix.
- Remove the pen cap as well as clean the top with clean and sterile alcohol.
- Attach the needle to the pen. Utilize a brand-new needle each time.
- Prime the pen, then dial up the right dose. Double-check the dosage prior to you infuse.
- Eliminate the cap and pick a tidy site to infuse. Hold the needle at a 90-degree angle, unless you are advised to do or else by your physician.
- Press the button to inject the insulin and also wait five to 10 seconds to make sure all of the insulin has actually been absorbed.
- Eliminate the needle and deal with it correctly.
If you inadvertently dial in too high of a dosage, insulin pens offer you the capacity to repair your error swiftly as well as conveniently. Some pens eliminate the excess insulin via the needle in such a method that it will certainly not enter your skin, while others have an alternative to reset your pen to absolutely no units as well as begin over.
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How Long Can Insulin Be Out Of The Fridge: Top Full Guide 2021
How Long Can Insulin Be Out Of The Fridge? Guide on Insulin Storage
For those who take insulin, the daily regimen isnt something you would like to be further frustrated by considering caring for your insulin storage.
However, it would help if you guaranteed insulin is kept in the appropriate temperatures to ensure its successful use. Thus, can you refrigerate insulin?
We will talk about temperatures in which insulin ought to be kept in, in addition to guidelines for various brands and a few tips on use and storage.
When Insulin Spoils From Too Hot Or Too Cold Temperatures
The tricky thing about insulin that has been quickly destroyed by hot or cold temperatures is that you cant tell its spoiled until you suddenly see your blood sugar levels spiking.
Spoiled insulin doesnt smell, it doesnt change color, it doesnt offer any telltale signs that its ruined except for its lack of impact on your blood sugar.
For people with Type 1 diabetes, this can mean a rapid spike in your blood sugar and life-threatening DKA.
For people with Type 2 diabetes, it can mean a rapid spike in your blood sugar and ongoing difficulty managing your blood sugar depending on how long you continue to use that spoiled insulin.
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