Can You Inject Insulin Into Muscle?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Can you inject insulin into muscle? Insulin should be injected into the fatty tissue just below your skin.

If you inject the insulin deeper into your muscle, your body will absorb it too quickly, it might not last as long, and the injection is usually more painful

. This can lead to low blood glucose levels.

Contents hide

What happens if insulin is injected into a muscle?

Injecting insulin into muscle

makes it work faster

. Much faster. From my experience analyzing data from continuous glucose monitors, insulin injected into muscle peaks and finishes working twice as fast as insulin injected into the fatty later below the skin. It doesn’t work harder, just faster.

Can insulin be injected intramuscular?

Using the perpendicular injection technique

lean diabetic patients may often inject insulin intramuscularly (IM)

.

Where should you not inject insulin?

Do not inject

near joints, the groin area, the navel, the middle of the abdomen, or scar tissue

. You will also need to rotate, or switch, your injection sites. If you use the same injection site over and over again, you may develop hardened areas under your skin that keep the insulin from working properly.

Why are intramuscular injections of insulin not recommended?

Intramuscular injections, espe- cially into working muscle,

can distort absorp- tion and, thus, decouple maximum blood glucose levels from peak insulin activity

. This can cause poor glycemic control, including excessive glycemic variability.

Can you inject insulin wrong?

In Brief Incorrect administration of insulin (e.g., too little, too much, or at wrong times)

can result in transient and serious hypo- and hyperglycemia, wide glycemic excursions, and diabetic ketoacidosis

.

Should you pinch the skin when injecting insulin?

Insulin shots should go into a fatty layer of your skin (called “subcutaneous” or “SC” tissue). Put the needle straight in at a 90-degree angle.

You do not have to pinch up the skin unless you are using a longer needle (6.8 to 12.7 mm)

. Small children or very thin adults may need to inject at a 45-degree angle.

Where on the body can you inject insulin?

  • The belly, at least 5 cm (2 in.) from the belly button. The belly is the best place to inject insulin. …
  • The front of the thighs. Insulin usually is absorbed more slowly from this site. …
  • The back of the upper arms.
  • The upper buttocks.

Can I give myself insulin in my leg?


A person can administer insulin injections into the abdomen, upper arm, thigh, lower back, hips, or buttocks

. Take into account comfort, as injections into some sites can cause pain. Be sure to inject into a pinch of tissue and consider the different methods for injection at each site.

Why do I get a lump after injecting insulin?

A bump means

you may have injected the insulin just under the skin instead of into fat tissue

. The needle may not have gone deep enough, or you may have been pulling the needle out before the plunger reached the bottom of the syringe. Or you may be using the same injection site repeatedly.

How does insulin get rid of belly fat?



Eating enough protein while following a lower-carbohydrate diet

can be an effective way to feel full, control blood sugar, improve insulin sensitivity, and ultimately, reduce or prevent belly fat,” Norwood says.

Is it better to take insulin at night or in the morning?

Ideally, basal insulin should produce at most a 30 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) change when blood sugar levels are stable and in your target range during sleep times. That’s why your healthcare provider will most likely advise you to inject basal insulin

at night, preferably before bedtime

.

Should I rub injection site after insulin?

The needle should be all the way into your skin. Push the plunger of the syringe until all of the insulin is out of the syringe. Quickly pull the needle out.

Do not rub the injection site

.

Can you inject insulin into forearm?


DON’T: Inject insulin just anywhere

.

Insulin should be injected into the fat just underneath the skin rather than into muscle, which can lead to quicker insulin action and greater risk of low blood sugar. The stomach, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms are common injection sites because of their higher fat content.

Can diabetics survive without insulin?

Without insulin, people with type 1 diabetes suffer a condition called Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA).

If left untreated, people die quickly and usually alone

. The tragic loss of life from DKA can be prevented. If insulin became freely accessible and affordable, lives could be saved.

What happens if you inject insulin too deep?

If you inject too deep,

the insulin could go into muscle, where it’s absorbed faster but might not last so long

(and, it hurts more when you inject into muscle). If the injection isn’t deep enough, the insulin goes into the skin, which affects the insulin’s onset and duration of action.

What blood sugar is too low to give insulin?

Hypoglycemia needs immediate treatment. For many people, a fasting blood sugar of

70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 3.9 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or below

should serve as an alert for hypoglycemia.

Why do insulin injections hurt sometimes?

Needle length

An insulin syringe or pen needle tip that is too long may increase the risk of intramuscular injection.

Injecting insulin into the muscle causes more discomfort and alters that way insulin in absorbed

(insulin should be injected into the subcutaneous tissue which is the area just beneath the skin).

What happens if you don’t rotate insulin injection sites?

People who take insulin daily should rotate their injection sites. This is important because using the same spot over time

can cause lipodystrophy

. In this condition, fat either breaks down or builds up under the skin, causing lumps or indentations that interfere with insulin absorption.

Should insulin be injected slowly?

Push the needle all the way into the skin. Let go of the pinched skin.

Inject the insulin slowly and steadily until it is all in

. Leave the syringe in place for 5 seconds after injecting.

How do you inject insulin without pain?

Can I inject insulin in my thigh?

Upper Outer Thigh –

The top and outer area of the thigh is the best area to inject insulin

. Leave at least 4 inches above the knee & at least 4 inches down from the top of the leg. Avoid injecting into your inner thigh – That region has fewer blood vessels and nerves.

At what sugar level is insulin required?

Insulin therapy will often need to be started if the initial fasting plasma glucose is

greater than 250

or the HbA1c is greater than 10%.

How long after taking insulin should I check blood sugar?

It is important to test both before and

about 2 hours after eating

. This will let you know that you’ve given the right amount of insulin. If the insulin is properly matched to the food you’ve eaten then there will be only a relatively small rise in your blood sugar level with the meal — let’s say 40 to 60 points.

What happens if a Type 2 diabetic stops taking insulin?

Without enough insulin,

your blood sugar will increase

. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) can make you feel unwell. It can lead to emergencies such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Ketones are made when the body uses fat for energy instead of sugar.

Can you mess up a subcutaneous injection?

What are the risks of a subcutaneous injection?

You may get an infection, have the needle break in your skin, or hit a nerve. You may have scarring, lumps, or dimpling of the skin from a subcutaneous injection.

When is the best time to take insulin injection?

Insulin shots are most effective when you take them so that insulin goes to work when glucose from your food starts to enter your blood. For example, regular insulin works best if you take it

30 minutes before you eat

.

How often should you rotate insulin injection sites?

Injection sites should be rotated with

every injection

. Inject at least one finger-width away from your previous injection site and try not to use an injection site more than once every four weeks. Common injection areas are: Abdomen (at least 5cm away from the belly button)

What is diabetic belly?

What is the fastest way for a diabetic to lose weight?

  1. DASH diet. …
  2. Mediterranean diet. …
  3. Plant-based diets. …
  4. Heart-healthy, lower fat diet. …
  5. Low or no-carb diets. …
  6. Intermittent fasting, extreme calorie reduction or skipping meals. …
  7. Cleanses or over-the-counter diet pills not approved by the FDA. …
  8. Give meal replacement products a try.

Does insulin give you a big belly?

Insulin: The Key Player in Belly Fat

Numerous hormones contribute to belly fat, but none proves more powerful than insulin, your fat storage hormone.

High levels of insulin tell your body to gain weight around the belly

, and you become more apple-shaped over time.

Is 10 units of insulin a lot?

How much insulin should I take if my blood sugar is 300?

Blood glucose 60–120 270–300 Insulin correction 0 units

4 units

Why is my blood sugar high even with insulin?


Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state

. This condition occurs when people produce insulin, but it doesn’t work properly. Blood glucose levels may become very high — greater than 1,000 mg/dL (55.6 mmol/L). Because insulin is present but not working properly, the body can’t use either glucose or fat for energy.

Can insulin make your muscles hurt?


Side effects from certain medications used to treat diabetes can result in muscle cramps

. These include insulin, lipid (cholesterol) lowering agents, antihypertensives (blood pressure medications), oral contraceptives or beta-agonists.

Why do I get a lump after injecting insulin?

A bump means

you may have injected the insulin just under the skin instead of into fat tissue

. The needle may not have gone deep enough, or you may have been pulling the needle out before the plunger reached the bottom of the syringe. Or you may be using the same injection site repeatedly.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.