I Have Type 1 Diabetes

I’m actually a Type LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) which is often categorised as a form of Type 1.

Luckily I have been prescribed a “Flash Glucose Monitor” (FGM) which is a devices inserted into on to my skin every 14 days. Over the 14 days it checks my blood glucose every 5 minutes, i can access the results by scanning the devices with my phone.

Though this is great it can be better, which is why using some community made software xDrip, i can use it as a “Continues Glucose Monitor” which uploads the results to my phone every 5 minutes.

As well as all this the data is uploaded to a hosted website Nightscout, I can send this website to family and hospital team to support me, through this website i also “donate” my data to a diabetic company that is creating a modal of diabetes to hopefully allow for a AI based insulin pump in the future.

💉 What is Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes causes the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood to become too high.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose.

You need to take insulin every day to keep your blood glucose levels under control.

Managing type 1 diabetes can take time to get used to, but you can still do all the things you enjoy. This guide is here to help.

Type 1 diabetes is not linked with age or being overweight – these things are linked with type 2 diabetes.

Hyperglycaemia

When your blood glucose levels are too high, it can cause hyperglycaemia (a hyper).

This can happen if you’re

• stressed
• unwell
• less active
• not having enough insulin for the carbohydrate you have eaten

Speak to your care team if your blood glucose levels are high and you

• feel very thirsty
• pee more than normal
• feel tired all the time
• lose weight without trying
• have blurred vision
• have fruity-smelling breath

Very high blood sugar levels can lead to a serious problem called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Your body starts to break down fat for energy when there’s not enough insulin, which leads to a build-up of acid (ketones) in your blood.

It can be life threatening and should be treated in hospital.

Check for ketones if your blood glucose level is higher than 11mmol.

Some meters check for ketones, or you can get strips from your care team to check ketones in your pee.

DKA can develop quickly over a few hours. Infections and drinking too much alcohol are common triggers for DKA.

Speak to your care team immediately if your glucose level is high and you:

• feel sick or throw up
• have ketones in your blood or pee
• have tummy pain
• are breathing quickly and heavily
• are dehydrated
• are struggling to stay awake
• You might need treatment in hospital.

Hypoglycaemia (Hypo)

Hypoglycaemia (a hypo) happens when your blood glucose level is too low, usually below 3.5mmol/L.

When can this happen

• delay meals
• have not had enough carbohydrate in your last meal
• do lots of exercise without having the right amount of carbohydrate or - reducing your insulin dose
• take too much insulin
• drink alcohol on an empty stomach
• Hypos come on fast. Be aware of the signs of a hypo so you can treat it - quickly.

The most common signs are

• sweating
• being anxious or irritable
• feeling hungry
• difficulty concentrating
• blurred sight
• trembling and feeling shaky