“When are insulin injections recommended for patients?”
I am 37 years old with an HbA1C of 11. The doctor has put on my diabetes medications and he says the condition can be improved with lifestyle changes. When are patients put on insulin injections as it is something that has been worrying me a lot?
8 Answers
If there is not a rapid improvement in your diabetes then you should be on insulin. I have rarely seen such improvement when the glucose is so high. When the oral medication and glp1 medication are not effective with the Haic being above 6.5% then I advise insulin.
Insulin is required in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. If you have been classified as Type 2, insulin is an option which may be considered after lifestyle change and oral medication have been shown to be insufficient in adequately improving your glucose profile. Insulin can be very helpful if used appropriately. Modern technologies have made its use very simple and discrete.
Patients are put on insulin injections when their pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to maintain glucose control. The high HbA1c is not the only criteria.
The insulin is usually started by the doctor in diabetes mellitus type 2 once diabetes can not be controlled only by oral diabetic medications or right away in diabetes mellitus type 1.
A patient is put on insulin when
1. they cannot change their eating patterns and eat excessively.
2. Do not follow a diabetic diet.
3. Do not exercise.
4. Have exhausted most diabetic pills.
5. Do not try to lose weight.
6. They skip meals on diabetic medication.
These reasons pertains to type 2 diabetics.
1. they cannot change their eating patterns and eat excessively.
2. Do not follow a diabetic diet.
3. Do not exercise.
4. Have exhausted most diabetic pills.
5. Do not try to lose weight.
6. They skip meals on diabetic medication.
These reasons pertains to type 2 diabetics.
Hi, thanks for your question.
Your HbA1c at 11 is high enough to suspect pancreatic failure, where your pancreas is sufficiently tired, to produce any insulin. This calls for insulin, and your doctor, I am sorry to say, is totally wrong about his/her advice. You require insulin at this point to help your pancreas recover, and once it does so, you can get off of insulin as well. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to overstimulate your pancreas and accelerate aging, which is probably what your doctor has advised you now. Please get a second opinion with an endocrinologist, NOT a primary care doctor!
Good luck,
Dr. Sunil
Your HbA1c at 11 is high enough to suspect pancreatic failure, where your pancreas is sufficiently tired, to produce any insulin. This calls for insulin, and your doctor, I am sorry to say, is totally wrong about his/her advice. You require insulin at this point to help your pancreas recover, and once it does so, you can get off of insulin as well. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to overstimulate your pancreas and accelerate aging, which is probably what your doctor has advised you now. Please get a second opinion with an endocrinologist, NOT a primary care doctor!
Good luck,
Dr. Sunil
Based on recommended guidelines patients should start insulin if a1c above 9. If make diet changes - stop soda, juices, processed carbohydrates, breads, pasta, grains and starchy fruits and vegetables ... can improve diabetes and most likely can come off insulin. The ball in your corner... need to make a change to improve!
Don't worry about insulin injections. I have taken them for 25 yrs & it's no big deal with modern pens, small needles, and other equipment. The American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologist, & other organizations have produced guidelines that say start insulin at Hba1c of 9% or above.
