Over the last few years, capillary blood sugar measuring devices have improved a lot: they require smaller droplets of blood and they yield faster and more accurate results. But we are still quite far from non-invasive technology that wouldn’t require the insertion of a device underneath the skin or a finger prick. What person with … Read more
Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is obtained after a blood draw and reflects the overall blood sugar control of the past 2-3 months. It’s a key number for people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as it’s closely associated with the risk of long-term diabetes-related complications (e.g., eye or kidney damage ). If you are living with … Read more
Last summer, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) published a consensus report on the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults. This was the first time that recommendations specific to adults with T1D were ever published. A similar consensus report had been published on type … Read more
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) happens when the immune system destroys the pancreas’s beta cells, which produce insulin and regulate blood sugar levels. As a result, people with T1D must take insulin, a vital hormone, multiple times a day. Taking insulin and managing blood sugar levels are a significant burden for people with T1D. Although there … Read more
Hypoglycemia is when blood sugar levels are below 4.0 mmol/L. This is the most frequent and unpleasant side effect of insulin, which is required to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D). Hypoglycemia can have many serious consequences, and can lead to falls and discomfort, or even the loss of your driver’s licence. Understanding how … Read more
Data uploading platforms can help you to evaluate your pump settings (e.g., your basal rate) based on blood sugar data uploaded from a continuous glucoe monitoring (CGM) system (Dexcom) or flash glucose monitoring system (Freestyle Libre). They are also essential for sharing your data with your healthcare team when you have an appointment or a … Read more
The month of October is well underway, and soon we will be celebrating fall’s spookiest event: Halloween, or as many families see it, a time for candy, chips and chocolate! But parents with children who live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) might see it as the perfect recipe for a glycemic rollercoaster. Here are a … Read more
Most people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have their sleep interrupted by their diabetes at some point, due to symptoms of low or high blood sugar, alarms on their insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM), capillary blood measurements, etc. Aside from these nearly universal problems, have you had episodes of poor sleep that had … Read more
Ever since insulin was used for the first time in Toronto in 1921, Canada has led many research projects that have helped to advance knowledge, treatments and technologies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). In Quebec, several healthcare and research centres are involved in advancing science and gaining a better understanding of the condition. Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital: … Read more
As of September 20, 2021, a new fast-acting insulin called Lyumjev™ (pronounced LOOM-JEV) and manufactured by the company Eli Lilly has been approved by Health Canada. At this time, this insulin is only approved for adults using a pen or syringe to inject their insulin. Research is currently underway to study its use in children … Read more