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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Which patients are most likely to be harmed by Insulin?

    Related Topics
    Endocrinology Type 2 Diabetes
    Are there particular patients that can be harmed by Insulin?
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  • Dr Stephen Leow

    HealthShare Member

    Insulin is a naturally occuring hormone that is lacking in people with diabetes. It is not a drug, in the usual sense of the word. There is an absolute lack in Type 1 and later stage Type 2 and a relative lack in the earlier stages of Type 2. If not treated the life expectancy is no more than 9 months (Type 1).

    In diabetes, endogenous (insulin produced from inside the body) insulin is replaced by exogenous (insulin from outside the body), so insulin treatment is initiated when the body cannot produce enough of its own insulin to meet needs.

    Can replacing an essential hormone by harmful? There is certainly more harm generated by NOT treating.

    Insulin has side effects. The 2 major side effects are weight gain and hypo glycaemia. The weight gain is a consequence of allowing sugar to be utilised by the cells (the predominant effect of insulin) and the hypoglycaemia is a result of not managing either insulin or diet or exercise correctly.

    Hence, if there are people that are likely to mismange the use of insulin, they will be at risk of hypoglycaemia. Insulin use should be minimised in this group to avoid side effects. The cognitively impaired or the elderly are common examples of people at risk. The direct consequence of this is that the diabetes will be less well controlled.

    It is always a question of balance. Insulin is essential. When it is required, the main decision is whether to allow the diabetes to be less controlled or to risk side effects.

    Hope this helps.

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