If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, your pancreas either doesn’t produce insulin or produces it insufficiently for your body’s needs. Insulin plays a crucial role in managing blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to enter your cells for energy.
Without adequate insulin, glucose remains in your bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels, which can be harmful. Prolonged high blood sugar can result in complications associated with diabetes.
Which Type of Diabetes Necessitates Insulin?
For individuals with type 1 diabetes, relying on insulin is a necessity because their bodies aren’t naturally producing sufficient amounts to control blood glucose levels. This is why type 1 diabetes is often referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes.
In the past three decades, there have been remarkable advancements in the management of type 1 diabetes. Modern insulin replacement strategies emphasize smaller daily doses, which simplifies adjustments as needed.
Various types of insulin suit different needs. One type is long-acting, also known as background or basal insulin, which is taken once or twice daily. Basal insulin helps keep blood sugar levels stable overnight and between meals.
Another type is fast-acting insulin, also known as mealtime or bolus insulin. This type is taken to curb the rise in blood glucose levels that follows eating or drinking. Bolus insulin is usually taken before meals, snacks, or drinks and should coincide with meals containing carbohydrates.
Here’s a list of insulin medications for managing type 1 diabetes:
Short-acting Insulin
- Regular insulin (Humulin, Novolin)
Rapid-acting Insulin
- Insulin aspart (NovoLog, FlexPen, Fiasp)
- Insulin glulisine (Apidra)
- Insulin lispro (Humalog)
Intermediate-acting Insulin
- Insulin isophane (Humulin N, Novolin N)
Long-acting Insulin
- Insulin degludec (Tresiba)
- Insulin detemir (Levemir)
- Insulin glargine (Lantus)
- Insulin glargine (Toujeo)
Combination Insulin
- NovoLog Mix 70/30 (insulin aspart protamine-insulin aspart)
- Humalog Mix 75/25 (insulin lispro protamine-insulin lispro)
- Humalog Mix 50/50 (insulin lispro protamine-insulin lispro)
- Humulin 70/30 (human insulin NPH-human insulin regular)
- Novolin 70/30 (human insulin NPH-human insulin regular)
- Ryzodeg (insulin degludec-insulin aspart)
Note that not all insulins are suitable for everyone. Doctors will consider your overall health and the severity of your diabetes before prescribing an insulin regimen. It’s crucial to discuss your insulin medication and treatment options with your healthcare provider to ensure the best care for managing type 1 diabetes.