Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. New subscribers only. T&Cs apply

Find out more

What happens when there is insufficient insulin or insulin resistance?

Describes type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when not enough insulin is produced by the body for it to function properly, or when the body’s cells do not react to insulin – known as insulin resistance.

Someone with type 2 diabetes may be able to initially control their symptoms by eating a healthy diet and monitoring their blood glucose level.

In the next section, you will be introduced to our patient Seema who is the second of our two case studies on this course and is an example of someone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Picture of Seema talking to her doctor

The sequence of treatment in type 2 diabetes is attention to diet and lifestyle measures throughout life.
Someone with type 2 diabetes may need tablets and due to the progressive nature of the disease, tablets may become less effective and insulin injections may be needed.
The time at which insulin is needed can vary markedly between patients.
Type 2 diabetes is commonly, but not always, associated with obesity.

Did you know? Many people with type 2 diabetes are unaware that they have diabetes and by the time they are diagnosed they may already have evidence of damage to their bodies.

© University of Southampton
This article is from the free online

Understanding Insulin

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now