How long does insulin take to get out of the fat?

Rob43 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 11:41 PM

Hi, Wondering how long does insulin get out of the fat and into the blood stream? I taking insulin shots in the stomach area. My insulin pen are called Lantus SoloStar pens.

Thanks, Rob

soso · #2 (**permalink**) 12-21-2007, 11:56 PM

if you are taking rapid acting, it starts in about 15 mins and peaks at 1-2 hrs, is usually finished in 3-4 hrs.. so I would say it is probably all in the bloodstream in a couple of hours, though it is an extremely variable thing, dependent on many factors and changing day to day even in the same person...

Rob43 · #3 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 12:09 AM

Here is some information from the pens box.

Insulin glargine. Pens can last 28 days after opening without needing refrigerator. 100 units. I take one shot at night before going to bed.

Rob

soso · #4 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 12:41 AM

so that's a long lasting insulin, not sure how long it takes till it's all in the bloodstream, though I think it might depend on the size of the dose... again , I think it probably starts to work in a reasonably short time.. I know my D nurse told me that although it is a 'peakless' insulin, it does have a bit of a peak at 90 mins, so perhaps that is when it is absorbed into the bloodstream..

Are you just curious or do you have a reason for the question?

Rob43 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 01:48 AM

Just wondering. I keep forgetting to ask some questions to my new diabetic doctor. He seams to not have the time to answer questions.

Thanks, Rob

owlyn · #6 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 07:04 AM

Lantus is a long-acting insulin. It is absorbed very slowly, somewhere in the vicinity of 24 hours (at least that's the plan- YMMV). It is intended to supply a basal amount of insulin for 24 hours. Rapid insulins are absorbed completely in 4-6 hours, and are intended to be used as a bolus amount at meal time.

Jill-O · #7 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 07:56 AM

It's my understanding that Lantus (I'm on the SoloStar pens, too) takes about 1 hour to get into your system and then works steadily (evenly) for about 24 hours. What I'm doing is taking Lantus in the evening, and then Humalog (pens also) before each mean. Humalog is rapid acting and starts working in about 5 minutes, but leaves the system in a few hours.

xMenace · #8 (**permalink**) 12-22-2007, 09:23 AM

I have had laggy doses that decided to kick in 6 or 8 hours later. It's rare, but it does happen. I've had other doses that don't seem to work at all. The vast majority start working pretty quickly. I'm pretty sure it doesn't all go into the blood stream quickly. Your body will actually break down insulin in the blood stream if it's not used quickly enough.

The rapid acting insulins are designed to last arouns 6.5 hours. The trailing portion, the final 2.5 hrs, is usually immaterial but not always.