Insulin refers to a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. This hormone helps you absorb glucose from the carbohydrates you consume and helps convert it into energy for your body to use instantly or store for use later.

Insulin also helps maintain the body’s blood sugar levels and, therefore, prevents hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. If you are seeking to buy insulin online, here is what you ought to know.

What does insulin do, exactly? 

Your body needs energy to function and one of the main ways it gets it is from glucose (sugar). Before it converts glucose into energy, however, the glucose has to be absorbed into blood cells, which it can’t do by itself. 

Enter insulin. Insulin functions by signaling the cells to absorb sugar from the bloodstream. This process enables cells to take up sugar and use it for energy.

If the body produces excess sugar, insulin sends it to the liver where it’s stored for later. The reserved sugar is released when blood glucose levels get lower than average.

When someone’s body can't produce sufficient insulin, cells will become resistant to the way insulin usually works, and lead to hyperglycemia. This could cause complications like diabetes if blood sugar levels remain high for extended periods.

How is insulin helpful in managing diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes can develop when beta cells in the pancreas are damaged and the body doesn't produce insulin. Type 1 patients need additional insulin to help their bodies utilize sugar and prevent hyperglycemia.

Type 2 diabetes can happen when insulin resistance builds up. Sometimes other (non-insulin) medications can help. But if they aren’t effective enough, injections of insulin can help the body process sugar. Doctors usually recommend insulin and other medications with regular exercise and dietary changes for type 2 diabetes patients.

Various types of insulin help in treating diabetes, including:

• Rapid-acting insulin
  ⁠It starts working 15 minutes after being injected and lasts for a few hours. Rapid-acting insulin is taken before meals, and may be taken alongside long-acting insulin. 
• Short-acting insulin
  ⁠This type starts working about 30 minutes after it’s injected, and it lasts between 3 and 6 hours. This type may be taken with long-acting insulin, and should be taken before meals. 
• Intermediate-acting insulin
  ⁠This one starts to work 2 to 4 hours after injection and lasts for about 12 to 18 hours. Doctors usually prescribe intermediate-acting insulin twice daily. It can be taken in combination with either short-acting or rapid-acting insulin.
• Long-acting insulin
  ⁠This type begins working several hours after injection, and it can last for close to 24 hours. It can be taken in combination with either short-acting or long-acting insulin.

How are you supposed to take insulin?

Diabetics can't take insulin orally. It’s administered via injection using an insulin pen, pump, or a syringe. The kind of injection method recommended depends on individual preference and the patient’s medical history.

A diabetic educator or nurse usually shows diabetic patients on how to inject insulin before they start using it.

Insulin can be injected into various parts of the body, including the:

• Thigh.
• Upper arm.
• Buttocks.
• Stomach.

Some people need just a single insulin injection a day. Others require several shots daily while taking other diabetes medications, such as metformin. 

The prescribing physician will decide on the correct insulin dosage needed for each individual based on their medical needs. Similarly, they will also help determine whether someone should take long-acting insulin, short-acting insulin, or both.

Does insulin have side effects?

In some cases, insulin users experience side effects like weight gain or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Failing to eat regularly and exercising excessively can lead to low blood sugar levels. 

It’s necessary to maintain a regular insulin regimen and a healthy diet to prevent hypoglycemia. The most common hypoglycemia symptoms include:

• Unrest.
• Drowsiness.
• Difficulty speaking.
• Muscle twitching.
• Sweating.
• Spasms.
• Pale skin.
• Losing consciousness.

Some people may experience neurogenic symptoms, such as anxiety, palpitations, and tremors. Severe hypoglycemia can cause convulsions, coma, or even death. Hypoglycemia onset can begin at a blood sugar level below 65 mg/dL, although levels vary from one person to another. 

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) advises that if you experience an insulin reaction, you should consistently carry fifteen grams of fast-acting carbohydrates. The carbohydrates can help counterbalance the signs of hypoglycemia and prevent emergencies.

15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrates is equivalent to:

• ½ glass fruit beverage.
• 2 tablespoons raisins. 
• ½ glass non-diet soda.
• 5 hard candies.

How to monitor yourself while taking insulin

For people who have type 1 diabetes, insulin is a must. Type 2 diabetes patients may also need insulin if other medications don’t adequately control their blood sugar levels. 

If someone is diagnosed with insulin-dependent diabetes, their doctor will prescribe an insulin regimen to help regulate their blood sugar levels, as well as recommend an exercise program and a healthy diet.

Many diabetes patients usually start with two insulin injections each day. They increase gradually to three or four injections daily as needed. Based on their blood sugar levels, they could take one or two different types of insulin in a day. 

Tracking blood sugar levels over time allows diabetic patients and their doctors to understand how various food types, exercise, or stress can affect their blood sugar levels. This data helps predict how their body will respond to insulin and helps prevent hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.

Some of the factors that can impact blood sugar levels include:

• Frequency and intensity of exercise.
• The variety of foods someone eats.
• Where the insulin is injected.
• Timing of the injections.
• Other illnesses.
• Stress.

Switching the injection location

The rate that insulin enters the bloodstream and the injection site can impact how blood sugar levels fluctuate. If someone injects insulin into their abdomen or upper limbs, for instance, insulin will start working almost immediately. The buttocks and thighs absorb insulin the slowest. 

Doctors usually advise injecting insulin in different locations. They may advise, for example, that a patient inject insulin into their abdomen in the morning and their thigh in the evening. This helps maintain a consistent blood sugar level. 

Injecting insulin into the exact same spot can cause skin lumps or fatty deposits to develop, which is one of the reasons it’s important to rotate the location.

Are there other ways to inject insulin other than a syringe?

Yes, there are other options. One alternative is an insulin pen, which contains a cartridge loaded with insulin. It allows a patient to dial the required dose on the pen and then injects the insulin via a needle just like a syringe. The pens can be replaced after use. 

Another option is by an insulin pump. The pump helps manage diabetes by supplying a continuous flow of insulin into the bloodstream. If a person with diabetes requires an insulin pump, they must have a procedure to have a catheter placed under the skin. The pump then attaches to an external monitor which tracks their blood sugar and administers insulin as needed.

Factors that stimulate insulin absorption 

Individual variation in insulin absorption can influence how blood sugar levels change in the body. Absorption can be boosted by: 

• Injecting into areas of the body that one moves more frequently, such as the arms. 
• Rising body temperature, including after using a spa or sauna; taking a hot shower or bath; or using a hot water bottle.
• Rubbing the injected area continuously for some time after giving an injection.

Factors that hamper insulin absorption  

Insulin absorption can be hindered by: 

• Using tobacco products. 
• Repeatedly injecting into the same spot, causing the skin to be lumpy or scarred.
• Injecting cold insulin.

Can you get an insulin prescription online?

If you talk to a doctor online, they may be able to diagnose diabetes, as well as give you an insulin prescription. 

You can’t buy insulin without a doctor's prescription, but HealthTap can connect you with a doctor to manage your diabetes online. If your doctor thinks you would benefit from taking insulin, they can prescribe it.  

Studies show that virtual care like HealthTap can provide a convenient and effective way to manage diabetes and other related health issues.

To get a prescription from a doctor to buy insulin online:

• Sign into your HealthTap account, or create a new account, and book an appointment. 
• Complete your video call with one of our doctors. 
• If you have completed blood testing previously, you may show them your HbA1c reading. The HbA1c test shows the average blood sugar levels over a three-month period. If you haven’t been tested for diabetes before, your HealthTap doctor can order this test for you.
• The doctor will also ask about any current medications, recent symptoms, and your medical history. It’s important to be honest with the doctor about your health history and any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you take to prevent complications related to mixing certain drugs. 
• After reviewing your health history with you, the doctor will advise you accordingly. They might recommend lifestyle changes like exercise, sleep routines, and diet to help improve your HbA1c level. 
• When your visit ends, the doctor will create a treatment plan for you and adjust your medications if necessary. If the doctor feels you would benefit from an insulin prescription, they may prescribe it for you. 

Conclusion

It can be convenient and less expensive to get care online to manage diabetes. Schedule an appointment today with a HealthTap doctor for your diabetes treatment. If your doctor in your visit feels insulin is appropriate for you, your doctor may send a prescription to your local pharmacy.