Insulin: understand and follow your treatment
, 3 min read
In this guide
Insulin is an essential hormone, and for millions of people living with diabetes it becomes a daily treatment. This guide explains simply what insulin is, how it works, its different types, and how to follow your treatment with peace of mind.
A discovery that changed history
Before 1921, a type 1 diabetes diagnosis was a death sentence. Everything changed when Frederick Banting and Charles Best, at the University of Toronto, isolated insulin. By 1922, a first patient was treated successfully. This breakthrough earned the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1923 and remains a cornerstone of diabetes care today.
How does insulin work?
Insulin is produced by the pancreas. Its role: to let the glucose in the blood enter the cells to provide them with energy. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up and blood sugar rises.
- Type 1 diabetes: the pancreas no longer produces insulin. External supply is vital.
- Type 2 diabetes: the body resists insulin or no longer makes enough. Insulin may complement other treatments.
Fasting blood glucose targets are generally between 80 and 130 mg/dL (4.4–7.2 mmol/L), to be adjusted with your care team.
The different types of insulin
| Type | Onset | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid / ultra-rapid | A few minutes | Cover meals (bolus) and correct high blood sugar |
| Long-acting / basal | Several hours | Cover baseline needs over 24h |
| Mixed (premixed) | Combined | Combine rapid and long-acting in one injection |
Every regimen is personalized: the number of injections, doses and timing depend on your profile.
Following your treatment day to day
Good tracking relies on consistency and clear data:
- Stick to prescribed doses and timing.
- Log each injection (type, dose, time).
- Monitor your blood sugar and spot trends.
- Prepare a reliable history for your appointment.
How Applidia supports you
Applidia offers a complete insulin module, separate from GLP-1 tracking. You configure the name of your insulin and your doses, then record your injections in a few taps (the prescribed dose taken from your saved treatment and the date already shown, both editable).
The app supports:
- Rapid insulin: "rapid by blood sugar" mode (shows the dose matching your glucose in the table you entered with your doctor) and "rapid by period".
- Long-acting / basal insulin.
- Mixed (premixed) insulin.
- Bolus doses.
Blood sugar readings, injections and medications are gathered in a single view, with reminders so nothing is forgotten and a clear PDF report to bring to your appointment.
Applidia is free, ad-free and works offline. Your data is hosted in Switzerland.
In summary
Insulin is a valuable treatment that requires consistency and good tracking. Understanding how it works, its types and its goals helps you communicate better with your care team. To make daily life easier, download Applidia: a simple, free and offline tool to follow your treatment and prepare your appointments.
Sources
- American Diabetes Association: Standards of Care in Diabetes
- World Health Organization: Diabetes
- Bliss M. The Discovery of Insulin: University of Chicago Press
- The Lancet: Type 1 diabetes (Seminar)
This article is informational and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. Any change to your treatment must be validated by your doctor.