Insulin Pump

Talk to your primary care provider or call Adena Endocrinology and Diabetes Care today at 740-779-8268.

Are you currently managing your diabetes with insulin? Do you feel that your lifestyle has changed to accommodate diabetes? Do your blood glucose levels go up and down like a yo-yo? If this sounds familiar, an insulin pump may be right for you. Anyone with diabetes is eligible to use an insulin pump.

Type 1 diabetics use an insulin pump to deliver needed insulin. Type 2 diabetics are turning to insulin pumps to achieve tighter control on blood glucose and A1C levels. Your Adena physician can help you determine if an insulin pump is right for you and, if so, which pump will work best for your lifestyle.

Insulin pumps are external devices with a tube placed under the skin for insulin delivery for diabetic patients. Pumps are programmed to deliver basal insulin (24 hour continuous insulin) and bolus insulin (to cover carbohydrates for meals and snacks). Periodic finger sticks will still be used to determine blood glucose levels.

Advantage of an insulin pump:

• Eliminates individual injections
• Improves A1C level
• Produces fewer high and low swings in blood glucose levels
• Eases diabetes management for individual lifestyles
• Allows exercise without consuming large quantities of carbohydrates

Disadvantages of an insulin pump:

• Insulin pumps may have tubing that attaches the pump to your body. Extra tubing lengths need to be tucked into clothing to keep them from getting damaged. The pump portion needs to be kept close to the body at all times.
• When using an insulin pump, connections need to be checked periodically to ensure correct insulin delivery.
• Insulin pumps only hold a limited amount of insulin. Higher insulin usage may require moving the pump to a new insertion site more often.
• Cost of pump and associated supplies. Amounts vary depending on pump manufacturer and can be higher than using pre-filled insulin pens or insulin syringes.