How Insulin Fits Into a Diabetes Treatment Plan
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Thoughts can affect your health behaviors

It’s common to wonder how insulin fits into a diabetes treatment plan and whether it’s right for you. Many people have negative beliefs about insulin. Often these beliefs come from old or incorrect information, and they may hold people back from taking steps to improve their blood sugar. Get informed, and check the facts here.

Consider your beliefs

When people start thinking about insulin, they often make opinions based on things they have learned or heard in the past.

Do you believe that:
(Please click “Yes” or “No”)

Only people who fail to manage their diabetes need insulin.

Consider this…
Most of us could make healthier choices each day. It’s true that eating healthy, exercising regularly, and losing weight can sometimes delay the need for additional medications and insulin, but even people who follow every recommendation may eventually still need insulin because Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease.

You're correct…
Most of us could make healthier choices each day. It’s true that eating healthy, exercising regularly, and losing weight can sometimes delay the need for additional medications and insulin, but even people who follow every recommendation may eventually still need insulin because Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease.

Taking insulin means my diabetes is severe.

Consider this…
You might hear words like "bad," "severe," "brittle," or "mild" diabetes, but the truth is that all people with diabetes need to find a management plan that is right for them. Your needs may change over time, so it’s important to work with your doctor to ensure you have the right plan. Insulin is another treatment tool to help your body work properly.

You're correct...
You might hear words like "bad," "severe," "brittle," or "mild" diabetes, but the truth is that all people with diabetes need to find a management plan that is right for them. Your needs may change over time, so it’s important to work with your doctor to ensure you have the right plan. Insulin is another treatment tool to help your body work properly.

Insulin should only be used as a last option.

Consider this…
Insulin is not a "last resort." Your doctor may change your treatment plan over time to find what works best for your diabetes. Controlling your blood sugar is what's most important.

You're correct...
Insulin is not a "last resort." Your doctor may change your treatment plan over time to find what works best for your diabetes. Controlling your blood sugar is what's most important.

Insulin is only used for people who are really sick.

Consider this…
If my doctor recommends insulin, he or she must think it will help improve my blood sugar control. Blood sugar control is important for long-term health.

You’re correct...
If my doctor recommends insulin, he or she must think it will help improve my blood sugar control. Blood sugar control is important for long-term health.

The pills aren't working that well anymore, so insulin probably won't help either.

Consider this…
Some diabetes pills help your body make and/or use insulin. But after a while, most people can’t produce enough insulin even with pills. Insulin is different – it replaces the insulin that your body isn’t making on its own.

You’re correct...
Some diabetes pills help your body make and/or use insulin. But after a while, most people can’t produce enough insulin even with pills. Insulin is different – it replaces the insulin that your body isn’t making on its own.

Get the facts

It’s common to have concerns about how insulin fits into your diabetes treatment plan. And, it is important to have the correct information about insulin so you can make some changes to improve your blood sugar. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact your diabetes healthcare provider. For more information about insulin and diabetes, visit Check My Thinking.

You can print out the diabetes facts in this exercise HERE

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Important Safety Information About Insulin

The most common side effect of insulin is low blood sugar. Some people may experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision, while some experience no symptoms at all. That’s why it’s important to check your blood sugar often.