What Type of Insulin Is Best Suited for My Diabetes?

Your doctor will work with you to prescribe the type of insulin that is best for you and your diabetes. Deciding what type of insulin might be best for you will depend on many factors, including:

* Your body's individualized response to insulin (how long it takes insulin to be absorbed in the body and remain active in the body varies slightly from individual to individual).
* Your own lifestyle choices -- for instance, the type of food you eat, if/how much alcohol you drink, or how much exercise you get – are all factors that influence your body's processing of insulin.
* How willing you are to give yourself multiple injections per day.
* How frequently you are willing to check your blood sugar level.
* Your age.
* Your blood sugar management goals.

The following chart lists the types of injectable insulin with details about onset (the length of time before insulin reaches the bloodstream and begins to lower blood sugar), peak (the time period when the insulin is the most effective in lowering blood sugar) and duration (how long insulin continues to lower blood sugar). These three factors may vary, depending on your body's response. The final column provides some insight into the "coverage" provided by the different insulin types in relation to mealtime.