There are different forms of insulin that have been created to work at different points of time within the body.  Because a diabetic's blood glucose levels are constantly rising and falling, proper insulin intake must be administered to respond to this measure.  Below are the different forms of insulin that you may encounter as a diabetic:

1. Rapid acting insulin (Lispro): This type of insulin is very fast acting and will lower glucose levels in a short as five minutes after it has entered the bloodstream. It is most strongest at approximately 1 hour after being administered and within 2 ½ to three hours it is no longer active. One of the upsides of taking Lispro is that it is unlikely to cause hypoglycemia due to the fact that it works fast and ends quickly.

2. Short acting insulin (regular): This type of insulin takes a bit longer to start than Lispro, approximately 30 minutes, but lasts much longer. The peak comes at around three hours after being administered. Approximately 7 hours later, the insulin is no longer active within the bloodstream.

3. Intermediate acting NPH and Lente insulins: Both of these insulins are designed to attempt to mimic the body's natural process of insulin.  It keeps a lower level of active insulin running through the system for up to 24 hours.  Glucose levels are lowered within a couple hours after starting and can remain at a peak for up to 12 hours, working moderately for another 12.

4. Long-acting Ultralente insulin: This insulin was originally designed so that a person could only take one shot a day.  It takes a bit longer to start acting within the body, about six hours, but provides low levels of insulin activity for as long as 25 hours.  In some patients it remains active for a little less time similar to that of intermediate acting insulin.


5. Long acting insulin glargine: This is a popular insulin that is used with many type 1 diabetics. Very similar to the long-acting Ultralente insulin, a diabetic can take a one-shot dose and have low glucose levels for an entire 24-hour period. Be careful with this insulin because you cannot mix it with other types of insulin within the same syringe.

6. Mixed insulins: There are also premixed insulins on the market that are helpful for diabetics that may have difficulties mixing insulins into a syringe for whatever that reason may be (poor vision, shaky hands, numbness in the fingers).

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