Insulin

Question: How does insulin work in the body at the cellular level? How does insulin work in the body at the cellular level? How does insulin work in the body at the cellular level? What gives it its steroidal properties? I know that insulin increases cell tranlsation, which means more protein is produced, which builds muscle and causes weight gain, is there a way to stop this weight gain? Like maybe a chemical we can add to the insulin that will not affect the insulin, but will prevent weight gain, or prevent translation in cells, while not affecting normal protein production.

Answer: Glucose cannot penetrate the cell wall unless it is attached to molecules of insulin. The sugars and starches you eat are converted to glucose, which enters your bloodstream to be transported to the cells.. There are cell receptors in each cell that responds to the insulin and allows the glucose to be transported into the cell where it is turned into energy. When there is too much sugar, and that means carbohydrates too (carbohydrates are just long chains of sugar linked together), the cells are getting too much and become insulin resistant. The body thus produces more insulin to try and push the sugar into the cells. This insulin resistance will turn into type II diabetes. Cut down on carbs will prevent the weight gain.

Question: How gradual does one have to be when changing insulin schedules? My boyfriend started taking insulin (10CCs) Tuesday, at the doctor's office, they started at 10am. The last few days he has been taking his insulin around 10am. However, he prefers to take insulin at night, because of his work schedule. Is it safe to take Thursday's insulin three hours earlier in the morning, say, around 7am, and then again, Thursday night around midnight, take "Friday's insulin" then Saturday night, take the insulin around 11pm? And continue to take the insulin at 11pm every night from then on. Or, should the change be more gradual than that? How exact do you have to be about taking it at the "same time" every day?

Answer: He might have to patch the insulin he's taking. When I took insulin shots, they had to be at pretty much the same time, since insulin only lasts a certain amount of time. For example, if you have three types of insulin, A B and C, and A lasts twenty four hours, B lasts 8 and C lasts four, your boyfriend might use A normally but patch with B and C to change teh time he takes his insulin. Otherwise, he could go low, which really sucks (if he hasn't had a low yet, lucky him...). So, basically, he should talk to his doctor. PS I think that Lantus lasts twenty four hours, NPH lasts about 8 and humolog/novolog last about four, but don't quote me on that.

Question: How does the sensitivity of target cells to insulin signaling affect insulin release from the source cells? Insulin resistance is a condition where normal amounts of insulin do not elicit a normal degree of insulin response. In insulin resistant individuals (without diabetes), the concentrations of blood insulin are higher than normal. Describe all relevant events.

Answer: First, insulin resistance is the result of 'metabolic syndrome' which is a condition that results from excess carb intake, poor nutrient intake, and inadequate amounts of exercise to burn off the excesses. Insulin resistance is merely a term to describe the condition of someone who is on their way from just having metabolic syndrome to becoming full blown (type two) diabetic. When target cells become less responsive to the signalling of insulin and blood sugar begins to build up, the natural response is for the source cells to produce more insulin in an effort to move the glucose from the blood into the cells. After reading the following source material, you will have a clear understanding of all of the relevant events.

Question: How does long lasting insulin work, how does the insulin get into the system once injected? I like to know how things work but don't seem to be able to find the answer to this one. I started on Levemir injections recently and everything I read is about the insulin, why I need it and where and how to inject. If I take tablets I understand how they get into the system but where does the long lasting insulin go from the injection site. Is it circulating in the blood, stored in the liver or elsewhere. Can anyone tell me or know of a good website with more information.

Answer: When you inject insulin, it breaks down and then gets absorbed into capillaries and into the blood stream. The 1st site listed explains how insulin (from the pancreas) goes through the blood stream and how it enters cells and what happens after that, and the 2nd site listed explains how insulin that is injected gets into the blood stream. Good question, I didn't really understand the whole process myself and I inject also!

Question: What causes cells to become insulin resistant? Is insulin resistance reversible? I am prediabetic ( in the form of impaired glucose tolerance) so I wanted to know if the cells in my body that have become insulin resistant will become normal again. I exercise regularly and eat small meals, I eat an average of about 120 or less carbs a day, I am in excellent shape (5'3' and 102lbs), and I am planning on taking supplements that lower blood sugar. So can my cells ever become non insulin resistant after doing all that?

Answer: Your body mass index is 18.1 kg/M2. If you are age 25 or older this would represent 'underweight' status. If you are younger than age 18 your will be above the 5th percentile which would be considered acceptable. There is a correlation between weight and insulin resistance but clearly that is not your case. This emphasizes the fact that diabetes is not simply a condition of the obese. Quite honestly we have no idea what the precise nature of insulin resistance is. If someone is over-weight - which you are not - reducing weight decreases insulin resistance. I doubt that your insulin resistance will be able to be reversed but I wonder where the diagnosis of insulin resistance came from. This requires rather sophisticated testing. Having 'glucose intolerance' or being a 'pre-diabetic' most definitely is not synonymous with having insulin resistance. I do not use terms such as glucose intolerance, pre-diabetic, or borderline diabetic as I believe that these terms miss the point entirely. There is an approximately 10 year lead-in time of pathophysiologic damage prior to the glucose becoming consistently elevated and being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes which I suspect is what is at issue here rather than type 1 diabetes where insulin resistance does not play a role. I do not have specific information but I must wonder from what you are saying if you are an 'early' diabetic. These individuals do not necessarily require pharmacologic intervention. The first step is typically a low glycemic index diet, weight loss (not an issue in your case), and exercise. It sounds as if you have all of these in order. I strongly believe that type 2 diabetes should be sub-divided into type 2A and type 2B. 2A would be type 2 diabetics with a 'lean' body mass index - which would be your case. 2B would be type 2 diabetics with a body mass index of greater than 30 kg/M2 - assuming that they are older than age 25. I start 2A diabetics - when pharmacologic intervention is required - on insulin. I start 2B diabetics - when pharmacologic intervention is required - on oral medications with the caveat that most type 2 diabetics will be on insulin within 10 years of diagnosis. I do not know of any so-called 'supplements' that lower blood glucose. Please do not be upset that I am suggesting that you might have early diabetes as I have far too little information to offer an informed opinion. Indeed one of the problems in answering questions in this forum is that people do not provide enough information. If you provide me with additional and more detailed information I will try to be of further assistance. I wish you the very best of health and in all things may God bless.

Question: How is the structure of insulin important to its function? I'm doing an AS biology essay about "Compare and Contrast the Structure and Function of Insulin and Collagen as Examples of Globular and Fibrous Proteins Respectively". In researching insulin i've got a decent amount of stuff but I still don't really get how the structure of insulin helps in its function or why the structure is important? Could somebody please help me thanks a lot

Answer: Insulin is designed to interact with a receptor, since it's a hormone; its structure induces a conformational change in that receptor. Its structure is necessary to enable it to bind to its receptor and to induce the proper change once it's bound.

Question: How does an insulin dependent travel with insulin on the train or plane? There probably is a refrigerator on board, but he would need ice or ice packs when leaving the train or plane. Would they allow the insulin in the fridge because of liability reasons?

Answer: I have flown many times and you must not put your insulin in your checked baggage for 2 reasons 1. because the Temperature In the baggage hold isn't really regulated and can vary to extremes 2. if they loose your bags you loose your insulin you should carry it in your on board luggage and also carry enough strips, injections etc, also take your prescriptions, you will also need a letter from your dr stating that you are carrying sharps and medication. most airlines will not let you store in the fridge i would advise the same for a train you can buy Frio packs that you can carry the insulin in to keep them cool. you can store insulin out of the fridge for periods of time for travelling unless you are in a hot car or going to somewhere where it is really hot

Question: What are different ways insulin is administered? What are the different ways insulin is administered and I have heard things about taking insulin orally, but how does that work because won't our enzymes break it down before it reaches the blood stream?

Answer: Different ways which insulin is administered are 1.Injection-Insulin is injected under the skin,so that it can be slowly absorbed by the blood stream 2.Insulin pump 3.Inhalation 3.Trans dermal 4.Intra nasal(under investigation) 5.Oral insulin-Since insulin can be digested by the protease's, the oral pills are having a protective coating which prevent the insulin being digested in the stomach(studies are going on in the field of oral insulin pills,since the present day pills are less efficient)

Question: How much insulin can kill you if you are non diabetic? Would it be painful to die from an insulin overdose? Im just wondering how much insulin would it require to kill you. I don't know much about it although my cousin is a diabetic. I am not a diabetic. How much insulin would it take? Would it be painful or would it just knock you out and you die.

Answer: As far as dying, it would depend upon the amount & type of insulin. There are some slow-acting insulins that work over a 24-hour period. Then there are fast-acting insulins, some faster than others. Also, it would depend on how much of the insulin was injected. I gave you that information, but I wouldn't tell you what would be a dangerous level. There is always the risk of someone else reading this. I wouldn't want to risk putting anyone in danger. If someone thought that injecting insulin would be an easy way to die, they would be wrong. It doesn't just make you sleepy & knock you out & then kill you. You would have severe symptoms, starting with the shakes & then nausea & vomiting. Gradually, you would begin to have seizures & have chest pain. Eventually, you would go into a coma; but there is no guarantee that you would die. You could be left seriously brain damaged or suffer heart problems. You could end up in a coma or a vegetative state which means you can hear what's going on but can't move or speak. That would be a fate worse than death.

Question: Metformin for Insulin Resistance in achieving weight loss: How long does it take to work? I have been diagnosed with insulin resistance and have been prescribed 2500 mg metformin daily. Many ppl with PCOS, metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance lose weight bc their insulin isnt working properly without the aid of metformin or the like. I have been on it for over a week and have not lost any weight. I was wondering if anyone has experienced weight loss after a couple weeks, rather than immediately.

Answer: Hello , one week is a very very short period for metformin to work , it needs two weeks to reach the maximum effect , and more than 1 month to cause any weight loss , The action of metformin is greater when the patient starts a healthy diet simultanously , don't forget that , 2500 mg is a high dose to start with , and 1000 mg (in two doses ) would be better . Dr.Debilitas

Question: Insulin...? What is the control mechanism for insulin?

Answer: PANCREAS that is such a big test question!! So many people will say the hypothalamus will detect low BSL (blood sugal levels) and stimulate the release of insulin from the pancreas. That is wrong!!! The pancreas does it all by itself and causes the beta cells in the islets of langerhans to release insulin into the blood. Such a big exam question!! Very common!

Question: How long does insulin last in a syringe? My mother and I use insulin and she is leaving to another state for 2 days. We use insulin from the same bottle. I was wondering if I could leave a few syringes with my insulin in the fridge so she can take the bottle with her. Thank you in advanced.

Answer: yes, you can safely do that.

Question: What are the consequences of taking too much insulin? This question is not about the dangers of insulin shock, it is about the effects of taking heavy doses of insulin over a long period. I take 75 u a day and my doctors frequently say "that's a lot of insulin" as thought it is a bad thing. Why is it bad?

Answer: Too much insulin leads to hypoglycemia which can eventually lead to coma and even death. It can cause nausea and headaches, but also more serious things such as tachycardia and paresthesia. It can also affect your neurological system. Over time, if your glycemia often varies from "very high" to "very low" rather than being constantly between normal values, it can lead to "unpredictable" comas.

Question: How high do insulin levels go before your body stops producing it? I have insulin resistance and my last fasting insulin level test was 51. When should I be worried about my body stopping the production of insulin? Is there a different level for everyone when it shuts off?

Answer: Hyperinsulimia (hyperinsulinism) is the presence in the body of an abnormally high level of insulin, the hormone secreted by the pancreas and needed by the body to disperse and utilize sugar. Abnormally high levels of insulin in the body result in abnormally low levels of sugar in the system, triggering such symptoms as headache, dizziness and weakness. In extreme cases it may cause convulsions, coma, and death. Studies suggest continual exposure to elevated levels of insulin as a result of a high glycemic diet may contribute to reduced sensitivity by cells to the insulin (insulin resistance) and a higher risk of diabetes. As insulin resistance increases, the body produces more insulin to maintain adequate blood sugar control. With rising resistance, even more insulin is required, and the body may not be able to keep up or the pancreatic cells producing insulin may stop functioning. Hope this helps.

Question: What test determines insulin being produced by body? I wanted to get some blood work and need to know which particular test will determine the amount of insulin being produced endogenously (by the body). This is related to a type II diabetic.

Answer: It's called the "C-peptide" level. When endogenously-produced insulin is released from the pancreas, the pancreatic cells chop off a small segment of non-essential protein from the end of the insulin molecule, called the C-peptide. This small strand of protein is released into the blood stream along with the insulin molecule. Insulin produced pharmaceutically does not have this essentially worthless extra protein in it.

Question: How cold does insulin have to be kept? I'm planning a camping trip to eastern Europe with a diabetic. She tells me the insulin needs to be cold. I don't think they have ice available for sale like we do in America. Any ideas? Maybe a battery powered cooler?

Answer: Print this off for your friend: Frio is definately a better solution. You can find their products here at their website. It explains how they work. http://www.coolerconcept.com/ Here's the USA site where you can buy whichever one you want. http://www.frious.com/buy/ Insulin should never be frozen, it won't work if it has been. Electric coolers and ice packs can freeze insulin and then you have to toss it. Insulin just needs to be kept cool, and away from heat sources. The Frio wallet is a great solution as you can use it anywhere that you have access to water, which is everywhere of course. It works by evaporation. Make sure its carried in such a way as to allow the water to evaporate, or it won't work as well. I highly recommend this bag, as it has a mesh outside pocket for the frio wallet, which is exactly what is needed, plus it has the inside pockets for testing kit, spare needles, glucose tablets, etc. http://www.coolerconcept.com/pages/vittr… You have to buy the Frio wallet that fits your needs, in addition to the Vitesse Travel case that it goes into, but the system is perfect for a diabetics needs. Make sure you have a doctor's note regarding your testing kit, lancets, needles and insulin. Get a copy for boarding planes and a spare copy in case its misplaced. You should always carry a spare prescription too in case you lose your luggage or your carryon is stolen. Keep your insulin in your carry-on bag, or it could be frozen in the baggage compartment and ruined. Carry a snack with you too, and some nuts. Airlines do not provide the best meals for diabetics. You are better off to order a low carb menu, than ordering diabetic. The diabetic menu is too carby. The low carb menu usually works out better. Carry some glucose tablets everywhere with you, and keep some nuts handy for protien and fat in case meals on board are late, or not enough food.

Question: How many times can you reuse an insulin pen needle? I am thinking about switching from the old fashioned insulin vial and syringes and getting on the disposable insulin pen, but am considering the economy of doing so. I can use my regular syringes 3 or 4 times before disposing it. Can I do the same with the pen needles? Also, is the pen use better than the old fashioned way? I know its more convenient, but is it problematic?

Answer: untill it dosent work anymore... well thats what i do but you really shouldnt

Question: What are the advantages of using genetically engineered human insulin as opposed to using pig insulin? I need to know why genetically engineered insulin is better than using pig insulin. What are the pros? Ta.Xx

Answer: pigs are disgusting and pig insulin gives you swine flu duhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Question: How long does it usually take for insulin levels to go down? I want to workout but I don't want to workout for nothing. If the insulin levels are up, then you're never going to burn fat no matter how hard you workout. So anyway, how long before insulin levels usually go down? 2 hours after eating a meal? Maybe more, maybe less? Thanks so much my man.

Answer: It depends on what you have ate. Anyway, i would wait at least for 4 hours before any workout. Besides the insulin issue you should go to the gym with an empty stomach due to the blood concentration in the stomach area during digestion.

Question: What does a good concluding paragraph on insulin consist of? I've done A LOT of research on insulin for my project. I've went into depth such as its history, what it is, what it does to the body (but not as in depth as chemical reactions, what insulin is composed of), how it has cured people, what is diabetes, what are the symptoms. What is a good concluding paragraph? What does it consist of? Any ideas? I don't expect a paragraph written for me, but I want ideas. Thank you! *Sorry, first answerer is correct. My mistake. I know that and I have wrote it, just a mistake with the question.

Answer: A concluding paragraph (or paragraphs -- two or three are often required) will consist of a summarization of the points you made, discussed, and expanded upon in the main body of your paper. If you made six major points in the paper, then you should have two r three concluding paragraphs, with the ideas "grouped" in a logical manner.