Insulin and weight gain
When first starting insulin therapy, many people complain that they are eating and exercising the same amount as before but gaining weight. This occurs because with insulin, the body is able to use glucose that was previously wasted in the urine. Glucose that is not needed right away for energy is stored as fat. Studies have shown that weight gain may lead people, particularly women, to not follow their prescribed insulin regimen. This is a dangerous practice that can lead to sustained high blood glucose and a higher risk of long-term complications. Weight gain with insulin therapy is not inevitable, but avoiding it or reversing it generally requires eating fewer calories and/or exercising more.
Continuing oral medicines
Many people ask whether it is worthwhile to continue their oral medicines once they have started insulin. Many studies have shown that people who use both an oral drug and insulin have better blood glucose control than those taking long-acting insulin alone. Continuing metformin when beginning insulin, for example, can reduce the weight gain that often occurs in the first year of insulin therapy. Sulfonylurea drugs such as glyburide and glipizide can help reduce high blood glucose after meals and are effective when combined with a single injection of long-acting insulin.
Metformin can be continued even when short-acting insulin with meals is introduced. Glyburide and glipizide are generally discontinued when short-acting insulin is begun.
Thiazolidinedione drugs such as pioglitazone (Actos) are associated with weight gain and fluid retention when combined with insulin, so they are usually discontinued when insulin therapy is initiated.
Another medicine that is commonly used prior to starting insulin is exenatide (Byetta). This injectable drug is associated with significant weight loss, and many doctors opt to continue exenatide when starting basal insulin. However, it must be emphasized that at this time, the US Food and Drug Administration does not sanction using exenatide and insulin together.
Back to basics
The overall goal in treating diabetes is to maintain optimal blood glucose levels to reduce the risk of diabetic complications. For many people, insulin is the best way to achieve this goal. There is no single right way to begin insulin; a regimen should take individual needs and circumstances into account. Insulin doses and regimens are also likely to change over time as people’s lives — and bodies — change. With just a little bit of knowledge, however, you can begin insulin therapy undaunted and ready to take the next step in controlling your diabetes.
Also in this article:
Adjusting Bedtime Insulin
Correction Doses
Insulin Action Times
