Insulin – a key role in regulating blood sugar levels

Insulin is a peptide hormone produced by the pancreas and plays an extremely important role in regulating blood glucose levels.Its action is necessary for the proper functioning of the body, and disruptions in the production or action of insulin may lead to serious health problems.

Insulin – what is it and how does it work?

Insulin is the hormone responsible for controlling the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.Its main task is to enable glucose to penetrate into cells, where it can be used as an energy source.Insulin works by increasing the permeability of the cell membrane to glucose and stimulating the processes of storing this sugar in the form of glycogen in the liver and muscles.

The role of insulin in the body

Insulin performs many important functions in the body, including:

• It reduces the level of glucose in the blood by facilitating its transport to cells.
• Promotes glycogen synthesis, which increases the body’s glucose stores for future needs.
• It inhibits the process of gluconeogenesis, i.e. the production of glucose by the liver.
• It affects the storage of fats.
• Regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Insulin level – norms and tests

Blood insulin levels may vary slightly from lab to lab, but are typically around 2-25 μIU/ml (microunits per milliliter).Insulin levels are measured in fasting or postprandial blood serum to assess pancreatic function and monitor diabetes treatment.

Insulin – types, duration of action

Insulin comes in several types, differing in how quickly they act and how long the effect lasts.The most important types of insulin are:

• Fast-acting insulin – starts working after a few minutes, reaches its maximum effect after about 1-2 hours and works for 3-5 hours.
• Short-acting insulin – works after about 30 minutes, reaches its maximum effect after 2-4 hours and works for 5-8 hours.
• Medium-acting insulin – starts working after about 1-2 hours, reaches its maximum effect after 4-10 hours and works for 10-20 hours.
• Long-acting insulin – works for 12-24 hours or longer, which allows you to maintain a constant level of insulin in the blood around the clock.

Insulin administration – what does it look like?

Insulin is administered subcutaneously using syringes or insulin pumps.The choice of type and dosage of insulin depends on the individual needs of the patient and the type of diabetes.People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin regularly to replace the missing hormone, while patients with type 2 diabetes may be treated with insulin when the disease is advanced or when they have not responded adequately to other diabetes medications.

How to store insulin?

Insulin should be stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C, but should not be frozen.Before use, insulin can be removed from the refrigerator and stored at room temperature for a specified period of time (usually up to 28 days), but extreme temperatures and direct sunlight should be avoided.

Insulin – side effects

Although insulin is essential for diabetic patients, its use may be associated with some side effects.The most common side effects are:

• Allergic skin reactions at the site of insulin administration.
• Hypotension (blood pressure too low).
• Weight gain.
• Risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Your suggestions

If you have diabetes or are at risk of diabetes, always consult your doctor for diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of your health.Maintain proper insulin levels in your blood by following your specialist’s recommendations.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about insulin, diabetes and a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “Diabetes – causes, symptoms and treatment”
• “Diet for people with diabetes – what products to choose?”
• “How to maintain healthy blood sugar levels?”

It is worth investing in education and conscious management of your health to avoid diabetes-related complications and enjoy life to the fullest.