Dr. Doctor Alice Cheng, Endocrinologist

Educational Video explaines diabtetes and insulin treatment.

Insulin is an essential peptide hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Its primary role is regulating blood glucose (sugar) levels by signaling cells throughout the body to absorb sugar from the bloodstream for energy or storage.

Diabetes Insulin

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This emotional burden stems from the constant demands of diabetes self-management, leading to feelings of frustration, overwhelm, and discouragement.

Depression is more common in people with diabetes and is associated with poorer blood sugar management and increased risk of complications.

Lori Berard Certified Diabetes Educator

Educational video explaines insulin initiation.

Insulin initiation is the clinical process of starting insulin therapy in a patient whose blood glucose levels are no longer safely controlled by lifestyle modifications or non-insulin medications (like metformin or GLP-1 agonists).

The approach differs significantly depending on whether a person has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 Diabetes: Typical Initiation Protocols

In Type 2 diabetes, insulin is usually started gradually alongside existing oral medications. Clinical guidelines (such as the ADA Standards of Care) generally recommend starting with basal insulin.

Safety Considerations During Initiation

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar): Always carry rapid-acting carbohydrates (e.g., 15 grams of glucose tablets, juice, or hard candies) to follow the “15-15 Rule”: take 15g carbs, wait 15 minutes, and recheck blood sugar.
Weight Changes: Insulin directs glucose into cells, which can halt calorie spilling in urine and lead to modest weight gain; maintaining a balanced meal plan helps counter this effect.