For some people living with type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or the body can't use insulin effectively (known as insulin resistance)^1,2. In this case, your healthcare professional may recommend that you start insulin treatment to help manage your blood sugar levels^1,2. Around 15% of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin therapy – that’s  63 million people globally³!

There are various different insulin treatment options, and your routine will be tailored to your specific needs. Keep reading to learn about the different types of insulin, how they differ and what they are used for, as well as how a lot of people feel about starting insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes. 

To start with, it is important to know that there are different types of insulin, which differ in three key ways:

This means the duration of your insulin's effectiveness may vary depending on your specific treatment plan. Depending on your needs, your healthcare professional may recommend that you begin on a specific type of insulin. Your treatment may need to be adjusted over time to help manage your blood sugar levels more effectively.

But don’t worry! Whichever insulin your healthcare professional recommends, they will also help you establish a personal routine to keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range throughout the day.

We look at two of the most common forms of insulin you may use in the management of your type 2 diabetes below ↓

Most people with type 2 diabetes who move on to insulin treatment start with a long-acting insulin. These are often called basal or 'background' insulins because they have a slow onset and keep a low, consistent level of insulin in your blood over an extended time⁶.

Long-acting insulins work to keep your blood sugar levels steady throughout the entire day⁶ – including between meals and when you sleep. Because of their long duration of action, they are usually taken only once or twice daily.

If you’re living with type 2 diabetes, your blood sugar levels might rise rapidly when you’re eating a meal. Sometimes, long-acting insulin isn't enough to control these 'spikes' and you may need to add mealtime insulin to keep your blood sugar levels under control⁶.

Mealtime or bolus insulins are rapid or fast-acting insulins that you inject just before you eat to manage blood sugar spikes⁶. They are taken in addition to a long-acting or basal insulins and together, they are sometimes called 'basal-bolus insulin'. You may start with just one mealtime insulin injection per day, usually with your main meal^5,7. Your healthcare professional will advise you to add more mealtime injections if necessary.

Regardless of the type of insulin you are prescribed, moving on to insulin treatment can seem overwhelming and these feelings are completely normal⁸. If you’re worried about starting injections, or fitting them into your day-to-day routine, just remember – you are not alone. For some people, these worries are enough to stop them from getting the treatment they need, but this can ultimately be damaging to their health. Insulin as a treatment for type 2 diabetes can help reduce complications linked to uncontrolled blood sugar levels over time, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, permanent vision problems and nerve damage².

Talk to a healthcare professional to help you feel comfortable and confident as you begin your insulin journey, to ensure you receive the care you need.

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