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While insulin is more commonly associated with type 1 diabetes, it plays an important role in type 2 diabetes as well, particularly when blood sugar levels can no longer be controlled by other methods1.
Starting insulin treatment can feel like a big step, especially for those struggling with high blood sugar. However with the guidance of your doctor it is a safe and effective way to manage your condition and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.
In type 2 diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin or, in some cases, may require more insulin as the body’s cells become resistant to the insulin produced, making it harder for glucose to move from the blood into the cells where it can be used for energy2,3.
Once you've started making lifestyle changes, you may find that they can significantly help in managing your type 2 diabetes. Here are some changes that many people find beneficial:
These measures are often supported by oral diabetes medications4. However, type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition, and over time the pancreas often produces less insulin. This makes it harder to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range without taking insulin1,4.
If someone in your family has type 2 diabetes, it can raise your chances of developing it too, alongside other factors such as age, ethnicity, high blood pressure, and body weight. While maintaining a healthy lifestyle is crucial in lowering this risk, it's important to recognise that many individuals with a family history or higher risk may require further diabetes treatment, including insulin5.
If other treatments aren’t quite keeping your blood sugar where it needs to be, insulin therapy can provide the stability your body needs.
Insulin therapy is often considered when:
Insulin therapy not only helps you take charge of your health but also plays a crucial role in controlling high blood glucose levels. It’s a vital move toward a healthier, more balanced life1.
Insulin therapy is not a “one size fits all” approach. There are several types of insulin, each designed to work at different speeds and for different lengths of time to meet your unique needs for living with diabetes. Understanding how each type works can help you feel more confident in managing your insulin therapy6.
Rapid-acting insulin starts working within minutes to manage the rise in blood sugar that happens after eating. You’ll usually take it shortly before or immediately after meals, and it keeps working for around three to five hours. This type of insulin helps control mealtime blood sugar spikes and is often used alongside a longer-acting insulin to keep average blood sugar stable between meals and overnight, unless you use an insulin pump6.
Short-acting insulin works in a similar way but takes a little longer to start working and lasts a bit longer in your body. It’s usually taken about 25-30 minutes before eating and stays active for five to eight hours. If you use short-acting insulin, you’ll also need a background insulin (intermediate or long-acting) to maintain stable blood sugar between meals and overnight6.
Intermediate-acting insulin provides background, or “basal,” coverage for a longer period - typically half a day or overnight. You may take it once or twice daily to keep blood sugar levels steady between meals. It has a slower onset than short-acting insulin and is often described as cloudy in appearance6.
Long-acting insulin is designed to provide a consistent, steady supply of insulin throughout the day and night. It’s usually taken once a day, at the same time each day, and helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels between meals and while you sleep. For many people with type 2 diabetes, long-acting insulin alone may be enough to manage high blood glucose effectively6.
Finding the right type of insulin -or a combination of types - is key to managing your diabetes successfully. Your doctor will tailor your insulin therapy to your body’s needs, helping you keep high blood glucose under control and maintain your long-term wellbeing6.
For some people, an insulin pump for type 2 diabetes is also an option. Pumps deliver a continuous supply of insulin through a small device worn on the body, helping to provide more consistent control and reducing the number of injections required7.
The main aim of insulin therapy is to lower high blood glucose levels when the body cannot do so effectively on its own, thus reducing the risk of complications like kidney failure1.
Normally, insulin acts like a key, unlocking the body’s cells so that glucose from food can enter and be used for energy7. In type 2 diabetes, this process is disrupted - either because of insufficient insulin production or because of insulin resistance. By taking insulin, people with type 2 diabetes can restore this balance and reduce glucose build-up in the blood1.
Insulin lowers blood sugar and keeps it within a healthy range, reducing damage to blood vessels and nerves. Insulin therapy helps prevent long-term complications and reduce the risk of :
There is no single average dose of insulin for type 2 diabetes. Most people start with 0.2–0.3 units per kilogram of body weight per day, with adjustments made based on blood sugar monitoring and advice from a healthcare professional4,8.
It’s completely normal to feel unsure or even anxious about starting insulin. Many people have concerns about injections or side effects, and there’s still some misunderstanding and stigma around insulin and how it fits into diabetes management.
It’s important to remember starting insulin is just another way to support your body in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.
You are not alone on this journey, and each choice you make brings you closer to better health.
Insulin is not always the first line of treatment for type 2 diabetes, but it can be introduced at any stage to help manage your blood sugar effectively. For many people, prescribed insulin becomes an important and natural part of ongoing diabetes care, supporting better control, long-term health and overall wellbeing.
With a personalised treatment plan and modern delivery devices like insulin pens, insulin can be integrated smoothly into your daily life with the support of your doctor and diabetes care team. Above all, for people living with type 2 diabetes, insulin is a powerful tool that offers not only medical benefits but peace of mind and confidence to live well with your condition.
While insulin is not usually the first treatment for type 2 diabetes, it may be prescribed if other methods, like lifestyle changes and oral medications, are not enough to manage blood sugar levels. Insulin can help regulate blood sugar when the body’s natural insulin is not sufficient or when insulin resistance becomes more pronounced. It is often used in more advanced stages of type 2 diabetes or when blood sugar levels remain high despite other treatments.
People with Type 2 diabetes may need to begin insulin treatment when blood sugar levels remain high despite making lifestyle changes, taking oral medications, or using other treatments. Insulin is typically introduced when the body’s ability to produce insulin decreases, or when other medications no longer effectively manage blood sugar. It may also be recommended if a person’s diabetes becomes more advanced or if complications start to arise. The decision to start insulin treatment is made in consultation with a healthcare provider, who will assess individual needs and develop a personalised treatment plan.
Yes, insulin treatment is generally safe for long-term use in type 2 diabetes when properly managed alongside other diabetes medicines. It helps keep blood sugar levels under control, reducing the risk of complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve problems. Over time, insulin may be required as the body’s ability to produce insulin decreases. Regular monitoring, proper dosing, and lifestyle adjustments help minimise risks like low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).
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