Whats the difference between short and long insulin needles/syringes?
I’ve always used the short tip insulin syringes. Recently, I’ve started using the longer ones. Is there a difference in tems of how the body obsorbs insulin when injected with a long v.s short needle?
It is a comfort thing!! The shorter needles need go in only a short way into the skin. Also the guage of the needle has a lot to do with the comfort zone. 31 g needles are almost like hair and go in so smoothly between nerve endings.
Longer needles tend to go into the muscles or blood vessels easier than do the shorter needles.
I absolutely would not change back to the longer needles at all for any reason. And I now want the pens for my instant acting insulin! Much less insulin waste at the end of 28 days from opening the vial!!!
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October 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 am
no they are the same i am a doctor i would know thanks for the question and have a nice day mam
References :
wikipedia and doctor.org
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:54 am
Do you want a short or long needle? Which is more comfortable for you? Some syringes have shorter needles; however, the depth of the injection does affect the absorption of the insulin. This is something you will want to mention to your diabetes educator or doctor.
Will you reuse your syringe? Insulin syringes are approved and designed to be used one time only. Discuss with your diabetes educator or doctor if you are considering reuse of syringes.
Pens and jet injectors
Today’s syringes are smaller, have finer needles and have special coatings on the needles so injecting is as painless as possible. If you can, try several brands before you commit to one.
References :
http://www.diabetesindetail.com/Insulin.html
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:39 am
Most people inject in the belly region. But this region is often covered with fat, especially in Type 2 diabetics, where the disease is caused by obesity.
But the insulin works better if it is NOT injected into fat.
So the long needles are better for obese people, while the shorter needles are better for people of a more normal weight, or for those who inject into thighs or biceps.
References :
October 23rd, 2008 at 9:08 am
I would add to Gary’s response:
In the case where you may be required to inject intra-muscularly (into the muscle, not the sub-cutaneous skin) a longer needle length is often required. Intramuscular injections, if the person is trained in how to self-adminster them, are used when a quicker drop in blood glucose is required.
References :
Diabetic for a decade and counting
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
It is a comfort thing!! The shorter needles need go in only a short way into the skin. Also the guage of the needle has a lot to do with the comfort zone. 31 g needles are almost like hair and go in so smoothly between nerve endings.
Longer needles tend to go into the muscles or blood vessels easier than do the shorter needles.
I absolutely would not change back to the longer needles at all for any reason. And I now want the pens for my instant acting insulin! Much less insulin waste at the end of 28 days from opening the vial!!!
References :