Dr. Ahmed Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that controls how your body uses and stores glucose, like a key that allows glucose to enter cells.
Insulin is an essential component of digestion and other metabolic processes. Without it, your body would stop working. So insulin effects are important for the body.
At the point when one eats, the pancreas releases insulin to allow the entry of glucose into your cells.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not produce insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the cells of one’s body can’t make use of it. This is because the cells are resistant to the effects of insulin, hence the term insulin resistance.
If a person is deficient in insulin, the pancreas does not meet the demands of the body, or the body is resistant to the effects of insulin, glucose will not enter the cells.
This will be reflected by high blood levels of glucose. The cells will be starving, and the body will become weak as the metabolic processes slow down.
In people totally deficient in insulin, the body will adopt alternate metabolic pathways and start utilizing fats. This will result in ketone formation, which is acidic.
A slight change in the body’s PH will slow or stop the metabolic processes, and the person may quickly become very serious and may die.
In people who have long-standing high blood levels of glucose, the glucose binds to different proteins, producing glycated end-products.
These glycated end-products ultimately damage the kidneys, liver, eyes, heart, blood vessels, and any organ of the body.
Individuals suffering from diabetes type one need insulin treatment to live a healthy life. Certain individuals with type 2 diabetes should likewise need insulin treatment to control their glucose levels and keep away from complications of diabetes.
- This facial serum hydrates and enhances radiance, making it an ideal self care gift for women & men. It tackles wrinkles…
- This anti-aging ultra hydrating pure hyaluronic acid face care and neck serum leaves skin feeling plump to the touch and…
- Anti Aging Serum: Concentrated with 10% pure vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, this serum visibly reduces wrinkles and refi…
Types of insulin
There are different types of insulin formulations available to treat diabetes:
- Rapid-acting insulin:
Rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of around 15 minutes and continues to work for as long as 4 hours.
- Short-acting Insulin:
The short-acting insulin effect starts in about half an hour and works for as long as 6 hours.
- Intermediate-acting Insulin:
It acts within two to four hours and is effective for around eighteen hours.
- Long-acting Insulin:
Long-acting insulin, such as Degludec and Glargine, works within two to three hours and keeps sugar levels normal for around one day.
Sites for injecting insulin
Insulin is typically injected into the abdominal region, yet it can also be infused into the buttocks, upper area of arms, or thighs.
It is best to change the site of insulin administration so as to avoid fat deposition at the site. This is called lipo-hypertrophy.
Continuous infusions in a similar spot can cause fatty deposits that make the delivery of insulin more troublesome.
Effects of Insulin:
Insulin is an anabolic hormone that is involved in the uptake of glucose into the cells. It also enhances the uptake of glucose by the liver cells and other body cells.
Effects of Insulin on energy production and distribution
Insulin can assist with the uptake of glucose into different parts and organs of the body, including the central nervous system and cardiovascular system.
Without it, the cells are deprived of energy, resulting in the impairment of vital organ function.
Liver storage
Insulin helps one’s liver take extra sugar from the circulation system. The liver stores blood sugar one doesn’t require immediately, so it is utilized for use later.
Glycogen is the storage form of glucose that is used to release glucose at times of stress and starvation.
It holds one’s blood sugar levels in check and allows the delivery of glucose in amounts required by the body.
Storage in fats and muscle tissues
It helps your cells of muscle and fat cells by taking care of extra glucose. It keeps glucose stored as glycogen, which is then released when blood glucose drops.
Exactly when one’s liver can take no extra amount of glycogen, it signals its fat cells to take in glucose. It’s put away as TAGs, a sort of lipid in your bloodstream, that can be used for the generation of power later.
Low glucose range
It helps keep the sugar in your bloodstream within a normal range. It does this by eliminating sugar from your circulation and moving it into cells throughout your body.
The tissues then use the sugar for the production of energy and store the overflow in your liver, muscles, and fat tissue.
It maintains blood glucose very tightly, unlike exogenous manmade insulin, including insulin pumps, where glucose spikes are common.
Insulin effects on Healthy cells:
Tissues in all aspects of one’s body require the energy to work and stay normal and sound. It gives the sugar that cells use for power generation. Without it, the sugars stay in one’s circulation system, which can cause complications like hyperglycemia.
Alongside sugar, insulin assists basic protein building blocks, amino acids, in entering the body’s cells, which form muscles. In addition, it assists cells with taking in salts like potassium, which maintains one’s natural fluid balance.
Effects of insulin on the Circulatory system
At the point when insulin enters your circulatory system, insulin helps all the body’s cells to utilize insulin well. In addition, it also causes the secretion of Nitric oxide from the endothelium, resulting in vasodilation of the vessels. [Ref]
As the pancreas delivers sufficient amounts of insulin and your body can utilize it appropriately, sugar concentration will be kept within a healthy range.
When the blood glucose is elevated, it results in the formation of glycated end products, which directly harm the blood vessels (endothelium) and the myocardium of the heart.
It also causes neuritis and neuropathies, which may manifest as tingling and numbness of the hands and feet.
Blood vessels of the eyes are very delicate and are commonly affected in patients with long-standing diabetes.
Similarly, the blood vessels of the kidneys are also affected very early in the course of the illness, resulting in swelling of the feet and eyes.
Ketone control
Ketone bodies are formed when the cells, during periods of starvation or insulin deficiency, start to utilize fat as fuel.
Ketones in excess can alter body PH, which hampers body metabolism. This is associated with severe shortness of breath, nausea, abdominal pain, and drowsiness.
This is an acute emergency called Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Untreated DKA can result in the rapid death of the person. It is important to monitor blood glucose and ketones in times of stress and in people who have Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
Side effects of Insulin:
Insulin is the safest medicine. However, an overdose can result in serious hypoglycemia. Similarly, repeated injections at one site can cause the deposition of fat in the skin.
Other side effects include:
The more normal incidental effects that happen with regular insulin (human) include:
- Weight gain
- Low glucose (hypoglycemia). Symptoms can include:
- Sweating and Perspiration
- Unsteadiness
- Shakiness
- Hunger
- Quick pulse
- Shivering on your feet, lips, or tongue
- Inconvenience in concentrating
- Confusion
- Unclear vision
- Slurred talk
- Uneasiness,
- Mood swings
- Infusion site reactions
Try not to inject insulin into the skin that is red, enlarged, or itchy. Side effects at the infusion site can include:
- Redness
- Inflammation
- Tingling
Repeated insulin injections at the site may result in fat deposition called lipo-hypertrophy. Change the site of injection on your skin to reduce the possibility of fatty deposition.
If you develop insulin-associated skin changes, don’t inject insulin into the site. Side effects can include:
- Contracting or thickening skin at the infusion sites
If these impacts are mild, they might disappear within a couple of days or two or three weeks. On the off chance that they’re more serious or don’t disappear, converse with your primary care physician or endocrinologist.
Serious side effects
One of the serious side effects of insulin is hypoglycemia. This is rather an effect of insulin overdose and not a side effect per se.
However, if your blood glucose goes down to less than 70 mg/dl, you should immediately take sugar, juice, or whatever is available.
In case you develop symptoms of low blood glucose, such as drowsiness and irritability, you need to call the emergency number.
Symptoms of low glucose include:
- Mood swings, like irritability, anger, headache, aversion, phobias, and irrelevant talking.
- Confusion, including dizziness
- Unsteadiness and ataxia
- Blurring of vision
- Shivering in your lips or tongue
- Headaches and attacks of migraine
- Fatigue or weakness
- Absence of coordination
- Bad dreams or shouting out during your rest
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
Symptoms of Low blood potassium (hypokalemia) as a result of insulin overdose include:
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Weakness
- Increased urinary frequency
- Tingling and numbness
- Breathing issues (when weakness progresses to involve the respiratory muscles)
- Heart rhythm issues (in cases of severe hypokalemia)
Serious allergic reactions may manifest as:
- A rash all around your body
- Trouble in breathing
- Quick pulse
- Perspiring
- Feeling faint
- Inflammation of your hands and feet
Cardiovascular side effects may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Inflammation of your lower legs or feet
- Abrupt weight gain as a result of fluid overload.
Insulin interactions with other medications:
Insulin can have positive or negative effects on different medications. It is therefore important to inform your healthcare professional about all your medications and supplements including over-the-counter medications.
Insulin Interactions with Other Diabetes Medications:
Taking thiazolidinediones with insulin may cause the retention of fluids and exacerbate the symptoms of heart failure. These drugs include:
- Rosiglitazone
- Pioglitazone
Taking pramlintide, sulfonylureas (glimepiride, gliclazide), repaglinide, Ozempic, and any other diabetes medication with insulin can result in hypoglycemia.
Insulin and Antidepressants:
Certain antidepressant drugs, when given in combination with insulin, can markedly lower blood glucose. These include:
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Insulin and Blood Pressure-lowering medications:
Taking these drugs used for high blood pressure with regular insulin (human) may cause exceptionally low glucose. Instances of these medications include:
- propranolol
- metoprolol
- enalapril
- captopril
- losartan
- valsartan
- lisinopril
On the other hand, taking diuretics (water pills) with regular insulin (human) may cause high glucose.
In addition, beta-blockers may result in masking the symptoms of hypoglycemia. The person may develop hypoglycemia but not feel the symptoms unless it’s too late.
Insulin and cardiovascular medicines:
Taking disopyramide with regular insulin (human) may cause extremely low glucose.
Insulin and statins:
Taking specific cholesterol drugs with regular insulin (human) may cause high glucose levels. Instances of these medications include:
- Niacin
Insulin and Pain Medications:
Taking salicylates, like aspirin, with regular insulin (human) may cause exceptionally low glucose. However, do not stop taking aspirin because of the fear of hypoglycemia. One can reduce the dose of insulin in such cases.
Insulin and somatostatin analogs:
Taking octreotide with regular insulin (human) may cause extremely low glucose (hypoglycemia).
Insulin and blood thinners:
Taking pentoxifylline with regular insulin (human) may cause extremely low glucose.
Insulin and asthma medications:
Taking certain asthma medications with insulin may cause high glucose levels. Instances of these medications include:
- Sympathomimetic (Albuterol, Formetrol, and Salmeterol)
- Corticosteroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone)
Insulin and Oral contraceptive pills:
Oral contraceptive pills elevate blood glucose. They may increase end-organ resistance to the effects of insulin. These include:
- Progesterone-containing OCPs
- Estrogens-containing OCPs
Antiretroviral medications and Insulin:
Taking protease inhibitors with insulin may cause high glucose levels. Instances of these medications include:
- Saquinavir
- Ritonavir
Antipsychotics and Insulin:
Antipsychotics elevate blood glucose and cause weight gain as well. With insulin, these drugs may cause weight to increase rapidly. They may also blunt the effects of insulin.
These drugs include:
- Phenothiazines
- Olanzapine
- Clozapine
Insulin and drugs used to treat tuberculosis:
Isoniazid is one of the first-line ATT drugs that has been associated with high blood glucose. It may blunt the effects of insulin.
Insulin and antibiotics:
Certain antibiotics and antimalarial drugs are especially notorious for causing hypo or hyperglycemia. Antibiotics that impair blood glucose include:
- Sulfonamide
- Quinolones (Gatifloxacin, Gemifloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Levofloxacin)
- Pentamidine
- Quinine and Chloroquine
In fact, gemifloxacin (Factive) has been discontinued because of severe hypoglycemia associated with its use.
Insulin and hormones:
Ingesting these medications with insulin, ordinary (human) insulin may cause high glucose levels. Instances of these medications include:
- Danazol
- Glucagon
- Somatropin
- Thyroid hormones
Glucagon is an antidote to insulin overdose and hence acts opposite to insulin. It is the treatment of choice for patients with severe symptomatic hypoglycemia.
Other drugs that may mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
- Reserpine
- Clonidine
- Guanethidine
- Beta-blockers, for example, propranolol, labetalol, and metoprolol
- 97% Pure Berberine Powder – High-purity, plant-derived extract with a rich yellow color. Carefully processed and lab-tes…
- Naturally Bitter Taste – Berberine has a strong, naturally bitter flavor. Best enjoyed when mixed with smoothies, tea, c…
- 100g in Resealable Foil Pouch – Packaged in a premium aluminum pouch to protect from moisture and light, keeping the pow…
- 5 Delicious Flavors: Freeze-Dried Mango, Freeze-Dried Blueberry, Freeze-Dried Orange, Freeze-Dried Dragon Fruit & Freeze…
- Pure and Natural Ingredients: Our fruit powders are made without synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or harmful chemicals. Each …
- Health Benefits: Our carefully selected fruits are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and digestive enzymes to s…
- 🌿 4 Tangy Citrus Flavors in One Pack: Enjoy a delicious variety of Orange, Lime, Lemon, and Kiwi powder – 5 sachets of e…
- 💧Easy to Mix & Refreshing: Just add to water, smoothies, sparkling drinks, or tea for a vibrant citrus kick. Dissolves i…
- 🛡️Rich in Vitamin C & Antioxidants: Made from real fruit powders, this mix offers a natural source of vitamin C to suppo…
- VARIETY PACK – Includes 5 delicious organic berry powder flavors: Freeze-Dried Goji Berry, Freeze-Dried Strawberry, Free…
- PURE INGREDIENTS – Made with 100% natural, freeze-dried berries and absolutely no added sugar, artificial ingredients, o…
- CONVENIENT PACKAGING – Contains 20 pre-portioned 5g packets (100g total), eliminating the need for measuring and ensurin…
