Why is insulin given to people with diabetes?
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how insulin acts diagram
Image adapted from ATrain Education, Inc, USA, 2014.

In all cases of type 1 diabetes there is no insulin produced, and in some people with type 2 diabetes there is insufficient insulin production as well as increased resistance to the effects of natural insulin. The only option for these people is to give them replacement insulin. Replacement insulin now comes in a number of different types, with different lengths of action (see types of insulin). This insulin takes the place of the insulin normally made by the pancreas in each person.

 
 
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