Which insulin is cloudy in appearance

An estimated Australians develop diabetes every day. Diabetes is Australia's fastest-growing chronic condition. The main types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes develops when the cells of the pancreas stop producing insulin.

Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells of the muscles for energy. Instead the glucose rises in the blood causing a person to become extremely unwell. Type 1 diabetes is life-threatening if insulin is not replaced. People with type 1 diabetes need to inject insulin for the rest of their lives.

Type 1 diabetes often occurs in children and people under 30 years of age, but it can occur at any age. This condition is not caused by lifestyle factors. Its exact cause is not known but research shows that something in the environment can trigger it in a person that has a genetic risk. Most people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes do not have family members with this condition. Type 2 diabetes develops when the pancreas does not make enough insulin and the insulin that is made does not work as well as it should also known as insulin resistance.

As a result, the glucose begins to rise above normal levels in the blood. Half the people with type 2 diabetes do not know they have the condition because they have no symptoms. People who develop type 2 diabetes are very likely to also have someone in their family with the condition. It is considered a lifestyle condition because being overweight and not doing enough physical activity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

People from certain ethnic backgrounds, such as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, Polynesian, Asian or Indian are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can manage their condition with healthy diet and increased physical activity. Over time, most people with type 2 diabetes will need diabetes tablets to help keep their blood glucose levels in the target range.

Regular blood glucose monitoring may be necessary in order to keep track of the effectiveness of the treatment. The starting time for diabetes tablets varies according to individual need. Women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later on. The management of gestational diabetes includes seeing a dietitian to assist with healthy eating strategies to help manage blood glucose levels.

Where possible, regular exercise such as walking also helps. Measuring blood glucose levels with a blood glucose meter gives information about whether these management strategies are able to keep blood glucose levels in the recommended range.

Some women may need to also inject insulin to help manage their blood glucose levels until their baby is born. Insulin is a hormone our body makes to keep our blood glucose levels within the normal range. It is made by beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin's main job is to move glucose from our bloodstream into the body's cells to make energy.

With type 1 diabetes, the body does not make any insulin and therefore insulin has to be injected regularly every day to stay alive. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin, or the insulin that is made does not work well. Insulin injections are sometimes needed to manage blood glucose levels. People with type 1 diabetes must inject insulin every day, often up to 4 or 5 times per day. They may use a pump to deliver insulin which means they insert a new cannula very fine plastic tube under the skin every 2 to 3 days.

Sometimes, people with type 2 diabetes also need to begin using insulin when diet, physical activity and tablets no longer effectively control their blood glucose levels. Having to start injecting insulin can be frightening. However, injecting insulin is much easier than most people imagine. There are different devices that can be used to make insulin delivery easy.

Pen needles are very fine and so are cannulas. Often people needing insulin feel much better once they start having insulin. If you need to start using insulin, your doctor or diabetes nurse educator can help with education and support. They will teach you about:. Your doctor or diabetes nurse educator will help you to adjust your insulin.

An important part of insulin adjustment is regular blood glucose monitoring and recording. When you start using insulin it is important to have a review by an accredited practising dietitian to understand how carbohydrates and insulin work together. If you have type 1 diabetes, learning how to count carbohydrates and matching your insulin to the food you eat is the ideal way to manage it.

Depending on what you eat, your mealtime insulin doses may therefore vary from meal to meal and day to day. Insulin is grouped according to how long it works in the body. Both help manage blood glucose levels. The 5 different types of insulin range from rapid- to long-acting. Some types of insulin look clear, while others are cloudy.

Check with your pharmacist whether the insulin you are taking should be clear or cloudy. Before injecting a cloudy insulin, the pen or vial needs to be gently rolled between your hands to make sure the insulin is evenly mixed until it looks milky. Often, people need both rapid- and longer-acting insulin.

Everyone is different and needs different combinations. Rapid-acting insulin starts working somewhere between 2. Its action is at its greatest between one and 3 hours after injection and can last up to 5 hours. When you use this type of insulin, you must eat immediately or soon after you inject. Fiasp — released in Australia June — is a new, rapid acting insulin with faster onset of action. It is designed to improve blood glucose levels after a meal.

This can be caused by too much shaking of the insulin bottle or storing insulin at temperatures that are either too hot or too cold. If you have been instructed to dilute your insulin, use only the diluent recommended by the manufacturer.

Properly diluted insulin is good for 2 to 6 weeks stored in the refrigerator. If you find anything wrong with your insulin right after you buy it, return it immediately. If the condition develops later, try to figure out whether you have handled or stored the insulin the wrong way.

If not, talk to your pharmacist about a refund or exchange. Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs. What are signs that my insulin is not okay to use? American Diabetes Association. Rapid-acting insulin acts most like insulin that is produced by the human pancreas.

It quickly drops the blood sugar level and works for a short time. If a rapid-acting insulin is used instead of a short-acting insulin at the start of dinner, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night. Short-acting insulins take effect and wear off more quickly than long-acting insulins. A short-acting insulin is often used 30—60 minutes before a meal so that it has time to work.

These liquid insulins are clear and do not settle out when the bottle vial sits for a while. Intermediate acting insulins contain added substances buffers that make them work over a long time and that may make them look cloudy. When these types of insulin sit for even a few minutes, the buffered insulin settles to the bottom of the vial. But insulin glargine and insulin detemir are clear liquids not cloudy.

Long-acting insulins are typically given once a day but may be given twice a day. If a long-acting insulin is used instead of an intermediate-acting insulin, it may prevent severe drops in blood sugar level in the middle of the night. Ultra long-acting insulin doses should only be adjusted once every 4 days. Missed doses may be taken when you remember if at least 8 hours have passed since the previous dose.

Mixtures of insulin can sometimes be combined in the same syringe, for example, intermediate-acting and rapid- or short-acting insulin. Not all insulins can be mixed together. For convenience, there are premixed rapid- and intermediate-acting insulin. The insulin will start to work as quickly as the fastest-acting insulin in the combination. It will peak when each type of insulin typically peaks, and it will last as long as the longest-acting insulin.

Examples include:. Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated Healthwise.