January 18, 2001
Blood Tests and Insulin Injections
Question from Lyndhurst, New Jersey, USA:
My 14 year old son, diagnosed about a year ago, is on three injections per day, and usually takes his insulin injections in his arms and legs and occasionally in his stomach. Lately, we notice that the injections were a little harder to inject into his arms so we decided to start giving him his injections in his backside. We have observed his blood sugars are so much better when we inject in his backside. Is there a reason for this? We were rotating sites when we were giving the injections in the arm. Do you sometimes have to stop using certain areas for awhile?
Answer:
Although absorption of insulin can vary depending on the site you are using, there should be no real difference between using his backside when compared to his arms, thighs, or abdomen. However, if a site is overused, the skin can become damaged and will not absorb insulin correctly. This is called lipohypertrophy. It is avoided by rotating the insulin injection sites between his arms, legs, backside, and abdomen.
MSB
