What would cause my Insulin not to be effective?

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,304
393
126
I been shooting myself up now for about a week and it has yet to make any significance difference in my blood sugar levels.

I have cut out all the pop, bread, noodles, any thing really that would turn to sugar and yet aim still hovering close to 300.

I mix it up good before each shot, and shoot it into my stomach like I was told and shown how, but again no effect.

Anyone have a clue as to why? Im taking 15 units btw.
 
Dec 10, 2005
24,430
7,349
136
Insulin resistance. Do you have Type II diabetes?

If you can, exercise will cause insulin-independent update of sugar in muscles that are working.

But best to consult with your doctor.
 

bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
ATOT is not the proper avenue for your health questions. You would be shocked where you can find carbs or sugar in food.

BTW WTF is "pop"?
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,304
393
126
Why do people not understand this?

Because doctor is 40 miles away each way, and Im not about to try and see him if this is nothing to worry too much about. besides that he is booked till my next appointment next month.

Insulin resistance, which I take it means my body doesnt matter if I get it or not, it just refuses to use it? And yes Type II.
 

lxskllr

No Lifer
Nov 30, 2004
57,659
7,892
126
Insulin resistance. Do you have Type II diabetes?

If you can, exercise will cause insulin-independent update of sugar in muscles that are working.

But best to consult with your doctor.

I second the exercise. I know you have issues that make that difficult, but try to find some way of working out, even if it's only part of your body.
 

bobdole369

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2004
4,504
2
0
Here is the question - Is the insulin treatment new? As in the first time you've used insulin?

If so than I think you should at least phone the doctor.
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,304
393
126
Here is the question - Is the insulin treatment new? As in the first time you've used insulin?

If so than I think you should at least phone the doctor.

Yes first time user. I see my reg doc on the 29th so I will ask her about it and see what she has to say.
 
Dec 10, 2005
24,430
7,349
136
Because doctor is 40 miles away each way, and Im not about to try and see him if this is nothing to worry too much about. besides that he is booked till my next appointment next month.

Insulin resistance, which I take it means my body doesnt matter if I get it or not, it just refuses to use it? And yes Type II.

Yeah.

Basically, high blood sugar leads to your body secreting more insulin to compensate. In response to the higher insulin (over a long period of time), cells with insulin receptors start to pull their receptors inside to deactivate them (insulin resistance), which leads to your body secreting even more insulin to compensate. Eventually, the beta cells in the pancreas begin to die because of the extra stress of making so much excess insulin. So now you have the issue of needing insulin injections and also still having insulin resistance.

If there is no insulin receptor on the outside of the cell (or not enough), insulin will do little to nothing in pulling blood sugar down.

But as I said, exercise provides a mechanism for insulin-independent sugar uptake in muscle.

You should really call your doctor - even if not to make an appointment, just to talk about this current predicament with him.

Edit:
So you've been only using the insulin for a short period of time? It might take some time to see an effect or you and your doctor might consider looking at drugs that help raise insulin sensitivity. link
 

sactwnguy

Member
Apr 17, 2007
101
0
76
Insulin resistance is generally caused by a lifetime of high insulin production that over time the cells in your body become resistant to its ability of helping them process sugar in your blood. If you have switched to a diabetic diet you have to be extremely strict about it or it wont work. Watching your portion sizes and having a set time for eating your meals will help too. You really do need to consult your Dr if your shots are not working for you, he can adjust your dosage and possibly have you take additional medication. This is not something to take lightly the last thing you want is to go blind or lose a foot. One other thing if doing the shots in your stomach is not working for you my family members have always used their thighs, but you need to have a nurse instruct you on the proper method of doing this.
 

DAWeinG

Platinum Member
Aug 2, 2001
2,839
1
0
There can be several factors for this. Make sure you're rotating your injection sites. Because if you don't, it can cause problems such as decreased absorption and skin problems. Rotate around the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs.

Another factor could be that the number of units you're injecting is insufficient in lowering your blood sugar. How many units are you injecting, how often, and when? Are you using the insulin pens or vials?

Also, make sure that the insulin is refrigerated (unless you're using something like Lantus which is good for 28 days at room temperature) and not expired.

There could have been a prescriber error (prescriber wrote wrong number of units) or the prescription could have been mis-filled (wrong number of units written on the label compared to what the doctor told you or what the doctor wrote for). Although they are less common errors, it is still a possibility.

Edit: NM about the units. I saw it in the OP. 15 units but how often and when?
 
Last edited:
Mar 22, 2002
10,484
32
81
As others have mentioned, the cause is insulin resistance, which is why your glucose levels are so high in the first place. Insulin resistance can be purely genetic or purely conditioned, but it is frequently a function of both. If it's genetic, then your body may not produce enough or have dysfunctional insulin receptors. It could also be that your insulin is imperfectly folded during protein synthesis, resulting in a frequently insufficient protein. For conditioning, the body can adapt to constantly high glucose levels. High glucose levels are frequently caused due to poor dietary habits and body composition, including high refined sugar intake, excess abdominal body fat (cytokines released from fat tissue make you inherently insulin resistance), low fiber intake, etc. With constantly increased glucose levels, the body sends signals to secrete more insulin to inject glucose into active cells. However, due to chronically elevated glucose levels, insulin is less effective at eliciting recruitment of glucose transporters. Eventually, your pancreas gives way and can no longer produce sufficient amounts of insulin or your body stops responding well to your natural insulin levels. Exercise is the number one treatment of type II diabetes since it allows for insulin-independent glucose transport, increased calorie expenditure (hopefully leading to weight loss), and better metabolic regulation.

PS: OP, are you a type I or type II diabetic? If you're a type II diabetic, I suggest you come visit us in the health and fitness forums here at Anandtech. We'd be more than happy to help you try to remedy/address the underlying problem.
 

preCRT

Platinum Member
Apr 12, 2000
2,340
123
106
I been shooting myself up now for about a week and it has yet to make any significance difference in my blood sugar levels.

I have cut out all the pop, bread, noodles, any thing really that would turn to sugar and yet aim still hovering close to 300.

I mix it up good before each shot, and shoot it into my stomach like I was told and shown how, but again no effect.

Anyone have a clue as to why? Im taking 15 units btw.

Glucose levels around 300 are not good. Call your doctor ASAP.

Is your insulin being stored properly? Are you sure that you are actually injecting it into your body? Are you using syringes & vials, or insulin pens? If syringes what size? If pens, whay size & type of needle? Did you actually try injecting yourself in the doctor's office so they knew you were doing it correctly? [My dad was originally given the wrong needles for his insulin pens as per an improperly written Rx]
 

Matthiasa

Diamond Member
May 4, 2009
5,755
23
81
You may have also accidentally let your insulin heat up to much making useless.
At any rate see a doctor to be safe.
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Because doctor is 40 miles away each way, and Im not about to try and see him if this is nothing to worry too much about. besides that he is booked till my next appointment next month.

Insulin resistance, which I take it means my body doesnt matter if I get it or not, it just refuses to use it? And yes Type II.

If you have type 2 you are basically trying to overload your insulin receptors to "force" them to react. I know nothing about your history or your disease state, but it could be that your dose is just not high enough or that you are far enough along that insulin is just not an option. Call your doctor or call your pharmacist (you'd be surprised what they know).

Do they have you on any insulin potentiating drugs yet?
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,304
393
126
There can be several factors for this. Make sure you're rotating your injection sites. Because if you don't, it can cause problems such as decreased absorption and skin problems. Rotate around the abdomen, upper arms, and thighs.

Another factor could be that the number of units you're injecting is insufficient in lowering your blood sugar. How many units are you injecting, how often, and when? Are you using the insulin pens or vials?

Also, make sure that the insulin is refrigerated (unless you're using something like Lantus which is good for 28 days at room temperature) and not expired.

There could have been a prescriber error (prescriber wrote wrong number of units) or the prescription could have been mis-filled (wrong number of units written on the label compared to what the doctor told you or what the doctor wrote for). Although they are less common errors, it is still a possibility.

Edit: NM about the units. I saw it in the OP. 15 units but how often and when?

15 units in the morning and 15 units at bed time as told by my doctor. When I wake up I check my sugar levels and its 170-185, but then during the day, even if I dont eat 260-270. and I should mention Im on like 20 pills for what else is wrong with me, which is what Im suspecting is why I have high blood sugar, since some of them prolly do effect it in some way.
 

DAWeinG

Platinum Member
Aug 2, 2001
2,839
1
0
15 units in the morning and 15 units at bed time as told by my doctor. When I wake up I check my sugar levels and its 170-185, but then during the day, even if I dont eat 260-270. and I should mention Im on like 20 pills for what else is wrong with me, which is what Im suspecting is why I have high blood sugar, since some of them prolly do effect it in some way.

Your pre-prandial (before meals) glucose levels are way too high. Normal is 90-130. I'm suspecting that 15 units twice daily is not enough to keep your glucose under control. It seems like you're using a long acting insulin such as Lantus or Levemir.

With your glucose levels that high, they probably should have prescribed you a short acting insulin which you would inject 0-30 minutes before every meal.

PM your list of medications. There could be an interaction with one of your medications. Are you taking anything else for lowering your blood sugar such as metformin or Actos? I'm a pharmacist and deal with situations like this from time to time.

A lot of the times, the dose of insulin is too low, which I'm suspecting here but there could be other factors. I would highly recommend contacting the doctor's office and speak with an assistant or nurse or your pharmacy or both and tell them the situation. The pharmacy can call/fax something to the doctor's office and they'll probably get you to up the dose or prescribe you a short acting insulin.
 

ichy

Diamond Member
Oct 5, 2006
6,940
8
81
See a doctor. This is not the appropriate place to get this kind of information.
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,304
393
126
Your pre-prandial (before meals) glucose levels are way too high. Normal is 90-130. I'm suspecting that 15 units twice daily is not enough to keep your glucose under control. It seems like you're using a long acting insulin such as Lantus or Levemir.

With your glucose levels that high, they probably should have prescribed you a short acting insulin which you would inject 0-30 minutes before every meal.

PM your list of medications. There could be an interaction with one of your medications. Are you taking anything else for lowering your blood sugar such as metformin or Actos? I'm a pharmacist and deal with situations like this from time to time.

A lot of the times, the dose of insulin is too low, which I'm suspecting here but there could be other factors. I would highly recommend contacting the doctor's office and speak with an assistant or nurse or your pharmacy or both and tell them the situation. The pharmacy can call/fax something to the doctor's office and they'll probably get you to up the dose or prescribe you a short acting insulin.

I will post them here for all to see just incase they see something that may be causing this.

I am on:
20mg x3 times a day of diazepam (valum)SP
300mg x2 of neurontin
1000mg 2x day of metformin
5000IU 2x day of vitamin d
20 mg lisinopril
40mg citalopram
10mg of zolipidem
40mg of pravastatin
1mg of ropinirole
2mg 2x day of risperidone
50mg x2 day of metoprolol
2mg x2 day of benztropine
5mg 2x day of glyburide
150mg of tramadol 2x day
3mg 2x day of risperidone again for some reason
2 shots a month of testosterone

So there you go, all the goodies I take everyday.
 
Last edited:

Analog

Lifer
Jan 7, 2002
12,755
3
0
I will post them here for all to see just incase they see something that may be causing this.

I am on:
20mg x3 times a day of diazepam (valum)SP
300mg x2 of neurontin
1000mg 2x day of metformin
5000IU 2x day of vitamin d
20 mg lisinopril
40mg citalopram
10mg of zolipidem
40mg of pravastatin
1mg of ropinirole
2mg 2x day of risperidone
50mg x2 day of metoprolol
2mg x2 day of benztropine
5mg 2x day of glyburide
150mg of tramadol 2x day
3mg 2x day of risperidone again for some reason
2 shots a month of testosterone

So there you go, all the goodies I take everyday.

damn, you're a walking pharma lab.
 

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
5,499
2
0
you must feel like fucking shit all day every day.

there's no way you can possibly need all those meds. a few of those suggest you have serious issues, but there's also a lot of bullshit there.
 
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