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You are here: Home / Medications and Monitoring Health / Is Insulin Right For Your Diabetes?

Is Insulin Right For Your Diabetes?

January 8, 2021 By Toby Smithson

Insulin is the most effective treatment for high blood sugar levels but is often reserved as a “last resort” for treating type 2 diabetes. Are these reservations justified? What if your doctor recommends insulin for you?

Hi again….I’m Toby Smithson with Diabetes Everyday hoping to make the diabetes management part of your life easier and even more effective. Please subscribe to this channel and visit my website diabeteseveryday.com for more of everything related to successful diabetes management and make sure to sign up for my newsletter.

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I’ve been thinking this past week about insulin, and I’ve been thinking about insulin because I participated in a fantastic podcast about the story of insulin. I’m a big fan mostly because the availability of insulin as a treatment for type 1 diabetes has literally kept me alive for the past 50 years. Historical references to diabetes may date back to as long as 5,000 years ago. And for thousands of years, diabetes meant one thing – certain death, mostly for children. The purification of insulin for clinical use is only approaching its 100th anniversary, and it is a remarkable story. You can find that podcast here and you can find me at about the 33-minute mark….I was not around 100 years ago so it takes the story a while to catch up to me.

Insulin For Type 2 Diabetes

But let’s talk about insulin for type 2 diabetes…..insulin for you. Obviously, I won’t speculate on whether insulin is the right treatment for you – that’s between you and your doctor. But I can tell you that if your doctor recommends insulin there are excellent reasons you should consider it. Considering that insulin is exactly how people regulate blood sugar naturally it is arguably the best solution for managing diabetes.

Here are some common concerns, starting with one that’s simply not true.
  • Insulin does not cause or promote diabetes complications. If you’ve heard that, sorry- it’s simply wrong. The consistently high blood sugar levels of unmanaged diabetes over time causes complications, not insulin
  • Technically, insulin does not cause weight gain. It is true that weight gain is common when people begin taking insulin, however, because you will likely store glucose more efficiently instead of eliminating excess glucose in urine.
  • Insulin requires injections – true except that there is an option for inhalable insulin, and even if that’s not right for you, subcutaneous injections….just under the skin….aren’t so bad. I started as an 8-year-old. In some cases, insulin as a pump may be available to you, and that’s a whole new level of comfort.
  • Insulin can cause low blood sugar– now we’re down to the real concern. Insulin CAN cause dangerously low blood sugar levels, and its effect is not always predictable. That makes insulin not appropriate for some and requires more careful checking of blood sugar levels for anyone taking insulin. In the case of checking blood sugar levels, a continuous glucose monitor is a wonderful option.

Be Sure To Check Out – How To Treat a Low Blood Sugar

In type 2 diabetes insulin is often held as a last resort for treatment, and some diabetes experts think that’s not an ideal use of this effective tool for managing blood glucose. Owing so much to insulin myself, my opinion would be biased. But again, if your doctor brings it up I would just encourage you to give it fair consideration.

Be Sure To Check Out – A Simple Trick To Better Manage Blood Sugar

Insulin has saved hundreds of millions….maybe even billions… of lives over the past 100 years. That’s hard to ignore.

Don’t forget to take a look at our most frequently asked questions.

You May Also Enjoy

  • The 5 Things Over 50 Years That’ve Shaped My Experience with Diabetes
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  • “Mediterranean Diet”, Rich in Unsaturated Fats, Improves Insulin Sensitivity Without Weight Loss
  • Reminiscing…..We Are Lucky
  • Doctor Discusses Health Knowledge Gap

Filed Under: Medications and Monitoring Health

Toby Smithson Diabetes Everyday

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Toby Smithson dynamically combines her knowledge as a certified diabetes educator and registered dietitian nutritionist with her life experiences successfully managing type 1 diabetes for more than five decades.

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May 25

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I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference. 
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended. 
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️ 
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference! 
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved

I have so many feel goods from attending and presenting at this conference.
❤️sharing diabetes knowledge at my presentation on Monday morning.
❤️hearing on how the presentation impacted them from so many of the dietitians who attended.
❤️learning from the amazing speakers at other sessions.
❤️learning and schmoozing with vendors at the expo.
❤️networking with fellow dietitians throughout the conference.
❤️And reuniting with my dietitian bestie. We were academy of nutrition and dietetics spokespeople together for 9 years. ❤️
Thank you Todays Dietitian Symposium for another fabulous conference!
@todaysdietitian #TDinFL @sarahrdtv #dietitianlife #dietitianapproved
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May 25

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Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial

Love this message from DJ. Dietitians do promote food first but … there are times that it’s not food only. @djblatner @todaysdietitian #TDinFL @nowfoodsofficial ...

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May 24

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Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia

Look for “live and active cultures” especially on yogurt for it to be a probiotic. @katescarlata #TDinFL @todaysdietitian #guthealth #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @activia ...

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May 24

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Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health? 
Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome. 
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health.  I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian

Curious? Are you currently including fermented foods to your diet for gut health?

Fermented foods: may be healthy for microbiome.
Increase gut microbial diversity to improve gut health. I’ve been adding 1/4 cup serving of kimchi to my lunch which is one serving. Listening to @katescarlata #TDinFL #guthealth #kimchi #diabetes #diabetesmanagement @todaysdietitian
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May 24

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Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes

Enjoyed presenting @todaysdietitian symposium this morning. I’ve received many kudos through the day regarding how much the information impacted the audience. ❤️ Thank you for sharing your personal stories about diabetes. Presented alongside Dr Bev. #TDinFL #diabetes #cognitivedistortions #diabeteslife #livingwithdiabetes #diabetes ...

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May 23

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Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats

Learning about dietary supplements labeling. Important to note that a supplement cannot make a claim that it will cure, treat, or prevent conditions like diabetes. #TDinFL @todaysdietitian @blackswanneats ...

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May 23

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Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL

Presenting Beyond The Textbook- putting the AWE in awesome Diabetes Care: accepting, well being, and empowerment very soon @todaysdietitian symposium with my co presenter Dr Bev. #TDinFL ...

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May 22

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I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋 
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies

I’m off to speak at a conference. Hoping that when I get back, my tomatoes will be ripe and ready to eat. I’m already meal planning. Thinking of combining my home grown tomatoes, cucumber and onions with rice vinegar dill weed and a packet of low calorie sweetener to make a low carb side dish. 😋
#tomato #tomatowellness #cucumber #lowcarbsides #diabetes #diabetesfriendly #garden #freshveggies
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May 22

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Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening

Excited to pick and eat a cucumber from our garden. Love this low carb veggie that provides fiber, potassium, magnesium, vitamin c and lots of vitamin k. Simple pleasures… sliced the cucumber in my black bean taco salad tonight. #diabetesfriendly #diabetes #cucumber #gardenveggies #joysofgardening ...

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May 20

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Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️

Best reason in the whole wide world on why I took a break from social media! Spent time with our 4 boys+ 4 daughter in laws + our 2 very very special granddaughters. #family #laughter #relaxation #familyvacation #wearefamily❤️ ...

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Apr 27

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Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio. 
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below. 
#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes

Are you bored with what you are eating? Need some inspo plus a huge health benefit? I’m in! This information is good for EVERYONE. Link to latest video in my bio.
Do you have any favorite go to recipes or meals? Please comment below.

#mealppanning #mealplanningmadeeasy #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #recipes
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Apr 22

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More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea

More of my earth day experiences. 🌎🌲🍃🌱
#earthday #earthdayeveryday #lovetheland #mothernature #portroyalsound #lovethesea
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Apr 22

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Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with: 
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog. 
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy

Celebrating earth day all week ( honestly everyday here) with:
🌻 attending a flower arrangement class to prepare for selling our homegrown flowers at our farmers market.
🌻Walking on the bluff in our neighborhood this morning.
🌻Enjoying views of wildlife as I walk my dog.
🌻and tending to my vegetable garden.
Happy Earth Day! Stay beautiful. #earthday #earthday2022 #earthdayeveryday #physicalactivity #joy
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Apr 21

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Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv 
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved

Check out this program for lowering cholesterol conducted by two registered dietitians. More info @nutritionunique @sarahrdtv
#cholesterol #cholesterollowering #dietitianapproved
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Apr 21

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⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny

⬆️ definitely a topic to pay attention to… don’t let some of your eating habits get in the way of keeping your bones healthy and strong. TY @graciouslynourished and @eatthisnotthat for using my insight. #bonehealth #eatinghabits #reducesodiumintake #osteoporosis #osteoporosisprevention @kin.di_rd @freshnutritionny ...

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Apr 19

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Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson 
Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement

Should I? I get this question asked… should I be taking supplements? Find out the answer in my latest YouTube video. Link located in my bio under linktr.ee/tobysmithson

Are you taking any supplements ? #supplements #diabetes #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #typeonediabetes #diabeteseducation #diabetesmanagement
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Apr 18

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Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓 
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout

Spring clean up time for my spice rack! Every year when Passover approaches, it’s a double reminder for me to clean out my refrigerator, cabinets and spices! Rule of thumb is to replace ground spices annually. 📝🗓
When is the last time you threw away spices?
#spices #springcleaning #springcleaningtips #whenindoubtthrowitout
...

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Apr 16

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To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷

To those who celebrate Passover, Chag Pesach Sameach! 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷 ...

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Apr 14

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I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾
#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement

I know it’s not the photo you’d expect for National Gardening Day. I’ll make sure to post the beautiful veggie plants growing in a post later.
THIS is my new adventure for my garden this year! Attempting to grow edamame. 👩‍🌾

#nationalgardeningday #gardening #soybean #edamame #eatyourveggies #physicalactivity #diabetesmanagement
...

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Apr 12

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How do YOU feel when your blood sugar is above target? Details are in this weeks video. Tap on linktr.ee/tobysmithson in my bio to get to the video.
If you could only use two words to describe how an above target blood sugar feels… what would it be?
#diabetes #diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #bloodsugar #highbloodsugar #diabeteseducation

How do YOU feel when your blood sugar is above target? Details are in this weeks video. Tap on linktr.ee/tobysmithson in my bio to get to the video.
If you could only use two words to describe how an above target blood sugar feels… what would it be?

#diabetes #diabetesawareness #type1diabetes #type2diabetes #type1 #type2 #prediabetes #bloodsugar #highbloodsugar #diabeteseducation
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