Insulin injection methods
There are different ways to take insulin, including syringes, insulin pens, insulin pumps, and jet injectors. Your doctor will help you decide which technique is best for you. Syringes remain a common method of insulin delivery. They’re the least expensive option, and most insurance companies cover them.
Syringes
Syringes vary by the amount of insulin they hold and the size of the needle. They’re made of plastic and should be discarded after one use.
Traditionally, needles used in insulin therapy were 12.7 millimeters (mm) in length. Recent researchTrusted Source shows that smaller 8 mm, 6 mm, and 4 mm needles are just as effective, regardless of body mass. This means insulin injection is less painful than it was in the past.
Where to inject insulin
Insulin is injected subcutaneously, which means into the fat layer under the skin. In this type of injection, a short needle is used to inject insulin into the fatty layer between the skin and the 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.
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.
You can rotate to different areas of your abdomen, keeping injection sites about an inch apart. Or you can inject insulin into other parts of your body, including your thigh, arm, and buttocks.
Abdomen
The preferred site for insulin injection is your abdomen. Insulin is absorbed more quickly and predictably there, and this part of your body is also easy to reach. Select a site between the bottom of your ribs and your pubic area, steering clear of the 2-inch area surrounding your navel.
You’ll also want to avoid areas around scars, moles, or skin blemishes. These can interfere with the way your body absorbs insulin. Stay clear of broken blood vessels and varicose veins as well.
Thigh
You can inject into the top and outer areas of your thigh, about 4 inches down from the top of your leg and 4 inches up from your knee.
Arm
Use the fatty area on the back of your arm, between your shoulder and elbow.
Labels
insulin absorption