Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about insulin:

1. What roles do insulin and insulin resistance play in my diabetes and my risk of diabetic complications? How do insulin and glucose interact?
   
   
2. Do you recommend insulin for me?
   
   
3. Are there any other medications or treatments I can use instead of insulin?
   
   
4. Can weight loss or improvements in exercise, diet or other habits reduce my need for insulin? If so, how will this be monitored?
   
   
5. Which type or types of insulin do you recommend for me?
   
   
6. How often do I need to take insulin, and when? What is my dosage?
   
   
7. How often will I need to check my glucose?
   
   
8. Of the various methods of taking insulin, how do their advantages and disadvantages apply to me?
   
   
9. Which method or methods of insulin administration do you recommend for me?
   
   
10. Do you recommend any particular type or brand of this device for me?
    
    
11. Will I need training from a certified diabetes educator in using insulin?
    
    
12. What insertion sites should I use, and how often should I rotate them?
    
    
13. What plan should I have in place in case I have an insulin or glucose emergency?
    
    
14. What are my options if I have trouble with this way of taking insulin?
    
    
15. Can insulin interact with my other medications or cause me any other problems?
    
    
16. Is the new inhaled insulin an option for me?
    
    
17. Are there any other insulin advances nearing approval that could benefit me?