Never stop your basal insulin Even when you are not eating your body needs insulin every minute of the day. This insulin is called “basal insulin” which is trickled into your bloodstream to control the amount of sugar your liver and muscles make and to prevent ketone production. If ketone production becomes excessive a life-threatening […] The post Type 1 Diabetes Rules appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

From Dr. Elliott: One week ago BC Pharmacare announced coverage of two biosimilar rapid insulins, considered by BCDiabetes to be functionally & clinically identical to the original branded insulins, both manufactured by Sanofi.  See the link above for the fineprint dates of coverage etc. insulin lispro “Admelog”, available in vials, cartridges & disposable pens original […] The post Advocacy Works: Rapid Insulin Approved by PharmaCare appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

The Artificial Pancreas (automated insulin delivery, AID) is here and we are not waiting! On 2020-Aug-1 BCDiabetes began doing in-house installations of the Omnipod Eros-Dexcom G6-Riley link Loop system.  Although this system is not Health Canada approved, it is our default recommendation.  This is because it is a mature technology, gives excellent glycemic control & […] The post Setting Up Loop appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

A Message from Dr. Elliott: Pharmacare’s massive decision to cover the Dexcom G6 CGM has had a tectonic effect, felt across the province and beyond.  BCDiabetes estimates that up to 80,000 British Columbians are now eligible for this life-changing technology.  It has had one unexpected effect, at least to your correspondent – suddenly putting price-pressure […] The post CGM Competition: Medtronic Announces 66% CGM Price Cut appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

A message from Dr. Elliott: Nobody would ever choose to have diabetes, but if you had to choose the best place in the world to live with Type 1 diabetes you might well choose British Columbia.  So wrote Dr. Ben Mammon in an email to me late Friday night, the same day BC’s Minister of […] The post BC is the Best Place in the World to Have Diabetes* appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

A Message From Dr. Elliott: I’m writing to share the momentous news that earlier today BC Pharmacare announced coverage of continuous glucose monitors, otherwise known as CGM. BC will thus join the Yukon territory, Quebec and Saskatchewan.  I trust that the other provinces & territories will quickly follow suit so that all Canadians can benefit […] The post CGM Coverage: Advocacy Pays Off appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

CRA Disability Tax Credit for Diabetes (DTC) The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers a non-refundable disability tax credit (DTC) of up to $1289 (in 2021) to individuals living with diabetes. Historically the conditions were extraordinarily stringent – based on the advocacy of the JDRF and other groups these conditions were relaxed in the Federal Budget […] The post Are You Getting This Big Diabetes Tax Credit? appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more

Introduction  Diabetes is a condition, not a disease. Like any condition it has to be managed, and if managed well diabetes will not significantly reduce life expectancy, increase your risk of heart disease and stroke & will not damage your kidneys, your eyes or your nerves.  Optimal diabetes control requires a partnership between BC Diabetes […] The post Type 2 Diabetes appeared first on BCDiabetes ..read more