What Is Insulin and How Is It Used to Treat Diabetes?

Regimens for Intensive Insulin Treatment

The goal of intensive therapy is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. In one major study even when levels were 40% higher than non-diabetic levels, benefits were still observed. Intensive treatment usually involves three or more daily insulin injections or use of an insulin pump. In addition, during the day the patient should take four or more blood glucose tests. The patient must also maintain a good diet plan and should visit the health care team of doctors, nurses, and dietitians once a month. (Standard insulin therapy is usually one or two insulin injections, one daily blood sugar test, and visits to the health care team every three months.) 

The regimen is complicated. To save time, some people administer injections directly through their clothing; although not recommended, one study found that it did not increase the risk for infection. Because of the higher risk for hypoglycemia, experts recommend that intensive treatment be used very cautiously in children under 13 and not at all in very young children. One study has indicated that thin children are at higher risk for hypoglycemia, because the injection goes into muscle tissue. Pinching the skin so that only fat tissue is gathered and not muscle or using shorter needles may help.

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