Ep 83: Top 10 Tips for Living With Type 1 Diabetes – Practical Hacks From Two Endos Who Get It
Living with type 1 diabetes is a daily grind, full of numbers, decisions, and constant adjustments but it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In this episode, Dr. Steve Edelman and Dr. Jeremy Pettus two endocrinologists who also live with T1D, share their top 10 tips for making life with diabetes more manageable and a little easier to navigate. They cover everything from setting realistic blood sugar goals and understanding the metrics that matter most, to smart supply hacks that can save you stress when you least expect it. They also dive into why celebrating the small wins like getting through the night without a low or nailing your pre-meal insulin timing can make a big difference in your long-term mindset.
fantastic segment ! I could relate to almost all of your suggestions. I’m t1d 40 years now , 77 years old. I am I very good health , mainly my diet is low carb cause I’m afraid to eat high carb foods? I’ve had several conservations with my therapist about this . I get anxiety If I see my BS over 200. sS0, no pasta, rice , pizza fried foods, or anything made of sugar for me.
Hi Maria,
Congrats on doing so well! There is substance called insulin that you can take ahead of time before eating, and you can indulge in more carbohydrates on occasion. 😉 Please know that a blood sugar here and there over 200 mg/dL does no damage at all.
Thanks for this talk! Ive been attending pbnhc plant based nutrition conference and the emphasis on whole food plant based / plant forward for reversing / better regulation of disease. Beans higher quality protein as fiber slows glucose release… quality of “carbs” — when their whole foods instead of fried / processed with added oils. So the emphasis is that the cause of insulin resistance is saturated fat– esp animal which lacks the gut protective fiber.
Wow, you really know your stuff! I agree with everything you’ve said. You would enjoy the podcast we did with Jarik Conrad:
https://tcoydthepodcast.transistor.fm/66
Thank you for these great tips. How does setting your CGM alarm alert lower than 180 help when on an automated delivery system? Shouldn’t the system take care of that higher number if all of the other settings are correct?
Hi Nancy,
That’s a very good question. If these systems always worked perfectly, you would be right, but unfortunately they don’t. You may under bolus before a meal…and if you see two arrows going up, you know it would take quite a bit of time for the automatic insulin delivery to take care of itself. There are also times when you could do non-therapeutic maneuvers like walking, delaying your meal, or giving yourself extra insulin that could help keep you in range better. But great question!
Excellent tips, especially the advice to be kind to oneself regarding highs and lows and the acknowledgement of how difficult it is to live with Type 1. It was reassuring to hear that Type 1s can outlive those w/o diabetes (Type 1?). Another reason to stockpile the Dexcom G7s…some are defective so I take 3x the number I need when I travel assuming some will be duds. I also hike with a glucometer as I don’t always trust the CGM for accurate, at-the-moment readings. Thank you; having endocrinologists with Type 1 discuss the disease makes all the difference as you have intimate knowledge of the daily struggles!
Thanks so much for your comment, Judy, and for sharing your travel and hiking tip. Smart way to go for sure!
So, so helpful and encouraging! Thank you both. I’m so appreciative of your dedication and commitment to all of us out here in Diabetes Land. Dr. Jeremy, your 10 tips were great reminders for me about the stuff that’s actually important and realistically doable. My husband is a broken record on these reminders too!
This Fall marks my 49th year with this #!&!%* disease, and our son’s 7th. That was my biggest fear…. But he’s doing very well thus far, and times have changed a lot since the mid-70’s, so….I’m hopeful! I’ve forwarded him many things from TCOYD and will send this podcast too.
Many thanks again for the great work and guidance and especially all the dumb jokes you guys tell!!
You both keep taking good care of yourselves. (:
Mary, you are too kind. Appreciate your comment very much.
As always, great content and tips from the good Drs. E and P. I’ve got just about the entire list covered, just need to find that dia-buddy! Thank you and keep doing this great work that’s so helpful for people with T1D.
Thanks so much, David…appreciate it!
episode 83, good to hear what you are telling everyone about T1, life has been difficult but has gotten better with cgm and pump. Been on them for 15ys no 911 calls. T1 45ys 71ys of age . Using Medtronic 780 plus Guardian 4 sensor, hate the sensors but love the program I am average 95pc in range everyday my A1C is 6.4, my Endo tells me I am the healthiest T1 he knows, But I don’t always feel healthy but always eat healthy fresh fruits and veg my blood pressure is always good and told I am in better health than people much younger. BTW did have gum disease thanks to a dentist who wouldn’t listen to me but all is under control.
Congrats Linda on 45 years! 👏 💪 That’s awesome! Medtronic did just come out with two other sensor options (Simplera and Instinct), so maybe one will work better for you!