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Complications of Insulin Therapy

Hypoglycemia is the most common and most serious complication of insulin therapy. Hypoglycemia can be potentially life-threatening. Most patients who use insulin experience hypoglycemia at one time or another. If a patient injects too much insulin, exercises too much in relation to carbohydrate consumed, doesn't eat enough or eats at inappropriate times, blood glucose level can fall low enough to cause hypoglycemia.

Changes in the subcutaneous tissues, known as lipodystrophies, can also occur. Lipoatrophy, a pitting appearance of the subcutaneous tissue, is an immune reaction related to insulin injections that occurs in a small number of patients. Changing to a highly purified insulin preparation can reduce the incidence of lipoatrophy. Lipohypertrophy refers to an area of subcutaneous tissue that becomes thickened and hard. This complication can be lessened by rotating insulin injection sites. Although uncommon, allergic reactions to insulin can also occur.

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Hypoglycemia can occur if a patient injects too much insulin.

The ADA's Clinical Diabetes series is an important and rich source of clinical information every nurse should be familiar with.

For example, click here to understand how air travel can change an insulin regimen.

Please take note of the effect of distance and direction of air travel on an insulin regimen.