Insulin Pump Use

Can anyone with diabetes use an insulin pump? Insulin pumps are used most often by people with type 1 diabetes, but some people with type 2 diabetes use them, too.

These palm-sized devices hold 180 to 300 units of insulin. The pump clips to your clothing and through a tube delivers a background dose of insulin under your skin 24 hours a day. Before a meal, you push a button to give yourself a larger dose, or bolus. You can also give yourself a correction, or supplemental bolus, if your blood glucose is too high before you eat.

Pumps are useful for people who already take insulin but still don’t have good glucose control. Using a pump takes a lot of training, so pumps are not for everyone. You must work closely with a diabetes specialist, monitor your blood glucose, count carbohydrates and keep food records. But if you take insulin and still have trouble with glucose control—and you’re committed to better managing your diabetes—it may be worth considering.