Syringes & Needles

At first, you and your child will learn to inject insulin with a syringe specifically designed to measure insulin. The syringe has 3 parts: the needle, the plunger, and the barrel.

Insulin syringes are generally available in 3 sizes:

• 3/10 mL or 30 units
• ½ mL or 50 units
• 1 mL or 100 units. 

All syringes are designed to measure 100 units per mL insulin. This is the standard strength available in North America. The larger the dose, the larger the barrel and plunger, but not the needle.

Needles are available in many lengths and thicknesses. Thickness is measured by gauge. The higher the gauge number, the finer the needle. Generally, children prefer finer needles because they hurt less. The length of the needle is measured in millimeters (mm). Length varies from the standard 12.7 mm (1/2 inch) to a newer, shorter 8 mm (3/8-inch) needle. The shorter needle looks less scary, but the longer needle is more comfortable and helps the uptake of insulin in bigger kids and teens.

	SYRINGE A device used to inject or take out fluid from the body or a body cavity.

	INSULIN Hormone produced in the pancreas which is essential for normal metabolism of glucose. Metabolism is the term for the way cells chemically change food so it can be used to store energy, and make the proteins, fats and sugars needed by the body.

	DOSE A measured amount of a drug to be taken at one time.