Certain conditions may affect insulin treatment, such as:

• Allergic reactions to:
  
  
• • Insulin or other drugs
  • Beef or pork
  • Preservatives
  • Dyes

Patients should be particularly aware of allergic reactions that occur at the site where insulin is injected.

• Thyroid, liver or kidney disease.

• Severe infection.
  
  
• Lung conditions. People who have asthma, bronchitis or emphysema should not use the recently approved inhaled insulin, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Patients should inform their physician of other medications or vitamins they are taking. These can skew the results of testing for glucose (blood sugar) or ketones (potentially dangerous chemicals produced when the body uses stored fat instead of glucose for energy). Also, consult a physician before taking over-the-counter cold or allergy medications, as these may contain alcohol or sugar.

Patients having surgery, including dental surgery, should tell their physician or dentist that they are taking insulin. Surgery can substantially increase or decrease the effect of insulin.

Smokers should inform their physician upon quitting smoking. Insulin dosages for such patients may need to be adjusted.

Other medical conditions that can affect insulin dosages include:

• Changes in female hormones for women (during puberty, pregnancy or menstruation)
• High fever
• Severe infection
• Emotional stress
• Overactive or underactive adrenal glands
• Underactive pituitary gland
• Diarrhea
• Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
• Intestinal blockage
• Vomiting