Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps our body use glucose from the food we eat to give us energy.
When you have type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin. When this happens, your body can’t get the glucose it needs. When you have type 1 diabetes you need to replace the insulin that your body has stopped making. The only way to give insulin is by injection, you can’t take insulin as a pill because when it’s digested by the body, it becomes inactive and doesn’t work.
Getting your insulin script
Insulin is available only on prescription from your Endocrinologist, Diabetes Specialist or GP. If you have a Health Care Card you will get the script at a cheaper rate.
Where to keep your insulin
It’s really important that your insulin is kept somewhere safe that’s not too hot or cold. If you don’t, it can go off and not work properly.
Bottles and penfills of insulin that you are not using should be stored in the fridge until the use by date. They shouldn’t be frozen and if they are, they have to be thrown away.
The insulin bottle or penfill you are using can be kept out of the fridge somewhere safe that’s not too hot or cold. There are special packs you can buy to protect your insulin in hot or cold places. It’s best to take your insulin out of the fridge before you use it because cold insulin can sting when you inject it. You should throw insulin away if it’s been open for more than a month.
Remember don’t shake up your insulin too much because this can damage it. Make sure you have spare bottles or penfills in case you break one.
