Get all this and more now, free . Overview Insulin, a hormone in the body, works as a messenger to tell the body to use glucose, an energy source for the body. Because people with Type 1 diabetes cannot make insulin, their medical treatment must include insulin, either through an injection or another method of getting insulin into the body. The following are two current ways that insulin can be taken by people with diabetes. Soon, insulin may be available in an inhaler.
Most people require one to two insulin shots per day to control their blood glucose.
However, for people, especially those with Type 1 diabetes, it may require as many as four insulin injections per day to achieve blood glucose goals. At first you may be a little afraid of giving yourself shots. Most people find that the shots hurt less than expected. The needles are small and sharp and do not go deep into the skin. Be sure to dispose of needles properly, and never share them with anyone else.