$Unique_ID{BRK00028}
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$Title{Does Human Insulin Come From Humans?}
$Subject{pancreas diabetes mellitus human insulin Endocrine Glands Metabolism
blood sugar synthetically diabetics diabetic insulins Gland synthetic
medication medications treatment treatments}
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Diabetes Mellitus*0009802.scf
The Functions of Insulin*0009803.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Does Human Insulin Come From Humans?


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QUESTION:  Does human insulin come from humans?

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ANSWER:  Does cotton candy come from cotton?  Think of it that way because
human insulin does not come from the human body but is made synthetically to
imitate the look and qualities of insulin from the human pancreas.  Most
diabetics in this country who take insulin today receive preparations that are
taken from the pancreas' of animals--namely, pigs and cows.
Synthetically-made human insulin, however, is becoming more and more popular,
not only because of its decreased cost, but because doctors find that some of
their patients experience allergic reactions to animal insulins and others,
over time, build up a resistance to the drug that they so desperately need to
stabilize their diabetic condition.  It seems that human insulin does not
cause these reactions as often as animal insulins do.  So, it is also
preferred by doctors when they prescribe insulin for special situations.  For
instance, I would prescribe human insulin for a pregnant diabetic woman
because animal insulins might interfere with the immune system of the fetus.
I would also suggest human insulin for the newcomer to insulin therapy.  And I
would advise any diabetic on oral medications, who is in the hospital for
surgery or whatnot, to use the human insulin during his or her hospital stay.
If someone needs to use insulin from time to time, I would recommend human
insulin.  In addition, researchers are hopeful that human insulin can somehow
work against the complications that many diabetics experience from diabetes;
complications that involve nerve, eye, and kidney damage.  No proof of this
exists yet, though.  If you know someone who is stable on a purified pork or
mixed beef/pork insulin, there is no reason to change to human insulin,
unless, of course, his or her doctor recommends such as switch.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.