Alcohol is a complicated subject when it comes to type 1 and type 2 diabetes — especially for those who take insulin and other medications capable of causing hypoglycemia.  While low blood sugar has been known to be mistaken for drunkenness, diet or diabetes-related ketones may mistakenly trigger a false positive on a breath alcohol test. A study published by the International Journal of Obesity found evidence that ketones can potentially result in a false positive on a breath alcohol test — something especially important for people with diabetes and anyone following a ketogenic diet. How ..read more

Tandem’s Basal-IQ technology received the FDA’s interoperable automated glycemic controller designation (iAGC) which allows this tech to be paired with different pumps and CGM systems to create an automated insulin dosing (AID) system. This is the second piece of tech from Tandem to receive such designation. In December of 2019, Tandem’s Control-IQ also received iAGC status.  To understand what is so important about these interoperable designations, you need to understand the different types of “i” designations and how they will benefit users. Tandem’s Basal-IQ In contrast to Control-IQ ..read more

Despite initial reports that people living with diabetes may be at higher risk for infection by the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) and have a higher mortality rate from COVID-19, more recent stats indicate that type 1 diabetics may not be at such a high risk. This newer data appears to be true in cases of people with well-controlled T1D.  However, type 1 diabetics are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the general population. And statistics continue to show a high correlation between CVD and severe COVID-19 infection. If you are a person living wit ..read more

It has been a while since Provention Bio (website), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on immune-mediated diseases, announced their first exciting results from their teplizumab drug trials. In multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials, the company has shown the effectiveness of this drug to preserve beta-cell function in subjects with pre-clinical and new-onset type 1 diabetes. And now, with this new FDA submission process initiated, it appears teplizumab, the first preventative treatment for type 1 diabetes, may soon be on its way to market. What is Teplizumab ..read more

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of people living with long term type 1 diabetes.  This remains true despite huge advancements in blood sugar management technology, more effective insulins, and an increased focus on heart health. The risk of developing heart disease remains high regardless of the individual’s glycemic control. Why does the vascular system of diabetics continue to experience damage even after near-normal blood sugar control has been reached? Researchers in Europe may have found some answers.  While their initial conclusions are troubling, their rese ..read more

In the past few decades, we have seen huge advancements in the methods available to inject insulin. Today, plenty of patients utilize an insulin pump or a tubeless insulin reservoir for this purpose. Many more turn to insulin pens as a simple and affordable option. And, despite these advances in tech, a huge number of people still choose to inject insulin via the old fashioned method: with a vial and syringe. There is no shortage of pump cases, pen carrying packs, and other gear for these higher-tech items. Finding simple and effective options for transporting syringes, especially those prelo ..read more

Pancreatic and islet cell transplants have been used to cure diabetes in high-risk individuals. But, due to issues with availability and risks associated with immunosuppressive drugs, these procedures are far from common. Recently, researchers at the Salk Institute have come one step closer to solving one of these problems with the development of engineered islet cells that can be transplanted without the use of immunosuppressants. Their research brings the pursuit of a true, life-long type 1 diabetes cure, that much closer to reality. The Problem with Traditional Islet Cell Transplants The fi ..read more

Hello,  You’ve asked for my story about T1D, so I decided to share it briefly with you all. I’ve been a military and civilian pilot for over 50 years.  Each of those years, I’ve taken an FAA physical exam with normal results.  My last exam was in November 2014, and my BG was 85.  In January 2015, my wife and I decided to have the Shingles vaccine that was hyped on television at that time.   At that time, I was traveling every week doing contract work in the aerospace industry.  In May 2015, I was working with a company in Minneapolis, when I started having sy ..read more

Tandem’s Control-IQ, an insulin pump that works with Dexcom’s G6 CGM to automatically control blood sugar, has been widely celebrated among users since it first became available in early 2020. This pump was originally approved for use by people with  type 1 diabetes over the age of 13.  It has now been shown to be safe and effective when used for type 1 children as young as six. This new FDA approval comes with the release of a multicenter, randomized, 16-week pediatric trial. Achieving Healthy Blood Sugars in Children is Difficult Type 1 diabetes is a difficult thing to manage no ma ..read more

If there is one thing I have learned about living with type 1 diabetes, it is that the only constant with this disease is that things are constantly changing. Changes in schedule, diet plans, activity levels, stress levels, illnesses, hormones, and even global crises can affect how much insulin your body needs to keep blood sugars stable. And since most people aren’t living in a vacuum, these types of changes occur all the time. So, if you want to stay on top of blood sugars, you need to be willing to change in response to them. One area many people living with diabetes are surprised to see ch ..read more