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Your Doctor Q&A Guide
Your Doctor Q&A Guide
Lynda Talked to Her Doctor About Insulin. Is it Time for You, Too?
Whether you're learning about insulin for the first time, or considering a switch
from your current insulin to Lantus®, you probably have a lot of
questions for your doctor.
That's why we've created this Doctor Q&A Guide. It lists some of the most common
questions people have about blood sugar control and insulin. Plus, you have the option to print it out
to help you get ready for your next doctor visit.
What is A1C and what should my A1C goal be?
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The A1C test measures your average blood glucose control for the past 2 to 3 months.
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The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends an A1C of less than 7% for most
people with diabetes. Check with your doctor about the right A1C goal for you.
Have I done everything (healthy eating, exercise, taking other diabetes medicines)
that I can to reach my blood sugar goals?
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Eating well-balanced meals and exercise are part of a healthy lifestyle for everyone,
and it's especially important for people with diabetes.
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Diabetes gets harder to manage over time—and sometimes insulin needs to be added.
Could adding insulin be an effective tool to help control blood sugar levels?
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Adding insulin to an overall diabetes treatment plan, which may include diet, exercise, and other diabetes medicines, can help to control the level
of sugar in the blood.
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When your A1C is at your goal, you have good blood sugar control.
Why isn't it always enough to take other diabetes medicine alone?
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Blood sugar levels may rise, which is typical of type 2 diabetes, because it gets
harder to manage over time. Your doctor may decide to add an additional medicine
to lower your blood sugar, which may include insulin.
Would adding insulin to my diabetes treatment plan be right for me?
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If you're looking for an effective way to lower your blood sugar, ask your doctor
if adding once-daily 24-hour Lantus®, as part of your diabetes treatment
plan, which may include diet, exercise, and other diabetes medicines, might help.
What insulin types might be right for me?
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There are two main types of insulin: long-acting insulin and mealtime insulin. Long-acting
insulin controls your blood sugar when no food is being digested. Mealtime insulin
helps control blood sugar levels associated with meals. Lantus® is
a long-acting insulin.
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You and your doctor can decide which type of insulin, or combination of insulins,
may work best for you based on your individual needs.
If I’m feeling okay, why change my diabetes treatment plan?
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People with type 2 diabetes often don’t feel symptoms even when their blood sugar
levels are out of control.
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If your blood sugar levels are not in control with your current treatment plan,
your doctor may recommend adding an additional medicine to help lower your blood
sugar, which may include insulin.
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Do not take Lantus® if you are allergic to insulin or any of the
inactive ingredients in Lantus®.
You must test your blood sugar levels while using insulin, such as Lantus®.
Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin without talking to your
healthcare provider. Any change of insulin should be made cautiously and only under
medical supervision.
Do NOT dilute or mix Lantus® with any other insulin or solution.
It will not work as intended and you may lose blood sugar control, which could be
serious. Lantus® must only be used if the solution is clear and colorless
with no particles visible. Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with
others.
The most common side effect of insulin, including Lantus®, is
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which may be serious. Some people may
experience symptoms such as shaking, sweating, fast heartbeat, and blurred vision.
Severe hypoglycemia may be serious and life-threatening. It may cause harm to your
heart or brain. Other possible side effects may include injection site reactions,
including changes in fat tissue at the injection site, and allergic reactions, including
itching and rash. In rare cases, some allergic reactions may be life-threatening.
Tell your doctor about other medicines and supplements you are taking because they
can change the way insulin works. Before starting Lantus®, tell your
doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have liver or kidney problems,
are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding or planning to
breast-feed.
Lantus® SoloSTAR® is a disposable prefilled insulin
pen. Please talk to your healthcare provider about proper injection technique and
follow instructions in the Instruction Leaflet that accompanies the pen.
Click here for Full Prescribing Information for Lantus®.
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The health information contained herein is provided for general educational purposes
only. Your healthcare professional is the single best source of information regarding
your health. Please consult your healthcare professional if you have any questions
about your health or treatment.