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Insulin therapy is one of many treatment options for type 2 diabetes. It utilizes a bio-identical version of insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas that the body requires in order to use glucose. When a person has type 2 diabetes, their body is no longer able to effectively use the insulin it makes. With insulin therapy, insulin is taken by injection (or less commonly, with an inhaled version). It works in place of the insulin that would normally be made by the pancreas, helping the body to use glucose.
Insulin therapy isn’t usually the first line of treatment for type 2 diabetes. Most type 2 diabetes patients begin taking insulin after lifestyle changes and other medications were unsuccessful in getting blood glucose levels to goal.
If you are having trouble getting your blood glucose levels to goal, your healthcare provider may talk to you about using another medication along with insulin. This guide describes five treatments that may be used in combination with insulin to better prepare you for a conversation with your healthcare provider.
