Three years ago, my doctor diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes after a blood test showed high A1C levels. He wrote me a prescription for metformin but sent me on my way without giving me any information or instructions. I left the office feeling alone, scared and confused. After taking the medication as prescribed for 6 months, I felt sick all the time and lost 20 pounds.
I found a new doctor who told me to test my blood sugar, or blood sugar, level several times a day. I was already a tech YouTuber reviewing gadgets on social media, so naturally I decided to start documenting this on TikTok. I posted a video talking about my diagnosis and results using a glucometer to test my blood sugar.
These videos sparked a surge of comments saying people should get tested for type 1 diabetes and that they should treat their diabetes with insulin. I was told to take a C-peptide test to check for autoantibodies and get an accurate diagnosis, so I went to get tested.
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TikTok was right
They tested positive for adult-onset diabetes, also known as a subclinical autoimmune disease in adults, or LADA, also known as type 1.5, a chronic disease that is managed similarly to type 1. Apparently, 60% of people diagnosed with type 1 develop it beyond their age. Although he is 20 years old, his awareness is very low. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 38 million Americans have diabetes, and 8.7 million of them are undiagnosed.
We have created more videos as we learn more about this disease and the technologies used to manage it. Every time an endocrinologist or diabetes educator visited, I went on TikTok to share what I learned with people. That’s how my channel, Diabetech, started, showing people how I manage diabetes and the technology that exists to help people live better lives. Two years later, this hobby of mine turned into a full-time job, and I started posting weekly videos on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram along with my podcast.
Here are two devices that I wear and use that everyone should know about.
continuous blood glucose monitor
Immediately after diagnosis, I started wearing a continuous blood glucose monitor. This wearable device measures your blood sugar levels every five minutes and sends that information to your smartphone. CGMs are about the size of a dime and are applied to the skin using an applicator. The applicator inserts the sensor, about 1 to 2 inches long and three hairs thick, under the skin.
CGM in the author’s arms.
Wearing a CGM makes living with diabetes much easier for several reasons. The sensor alerts you when your blood sugar levels are high (hyperglycemia) or low (hypoglycemia). Surviving low blood sugar levels can save lives. If left untreated, it can lead to syncope or worse, diabetic coma. Thanks to these alerts, I’ve been able to avoid scary situations and am grateful to have been able to diagnose dangerous situations when they existed.
Screenshot of blood sugar levels in the Dexcom G7 CGM iPhone app.
Real-time blood sugar values sent to my phone help me understand how the foods I eat and the doses of insulin I take affect me. If you notice that your blood sugar levels are high after a meal, you may not have given enough insulin to cover the meal, and you can change your approach the next time you eat the same thing.
Perhaps the most powerful aspect of CGM measurements is that they can be used in conjunction with insulin pumps to automate insulin delivery.
insulin pump
Insulin pumps deliver insulin throughout the day to help diabetics maintain their blood sugar levels at target levels. There is a common misconception that diabetics who use pumps “get it”, but this is not true. Although today’s automated insulin pumps greatly reduce the burden of diabetes from the user, the pump still requires user attention and interaction.
There are two types of insulin pumps on the market: tubed and tubeless. Tube pumps are as small as a buzzer or a telephone and have a tube that connects the device to the user’s injection site. I wear a tubeless pump called Omnipod. This is a disposable wearable pump that you attach to your body to store and deliver insulin every three days.
As an active person, I like the mobility of this device. All pumps have approved injection sites for many areas including the abdomen, arms, buttocks, and more.
Insulin pumps, like the tubeless Omnipod pump shown here, can be used in conjunction with a CGM to help control insulin release.
Thanks to CGM, insulin pumps can obtain the information they need to automate insulin delivery based on the trajectory of glucose measurements. When a diabetic eats a meal, the pump must be informed of the amount of carbohydrates in the meal and “pre-bolus” insulin about 10 to 15 minutes before the meal. Without these two steps, users may have difficulty managing ideal blood sugar levels.
Ultimately, they hope to see manufacturers develop a true “artificial pancreas,” a pump that eliminates all user interaction and keeps blood sugar levels within target ranges. The industry is making strides in meal detection technology, and an open source community known as #WeAreNotWaiting is experimenting with algorithms that have dynamic settings and require little to no interaction.
Understand the basics of diabetes technology
There are still many people who struggle to manage their diabetes or who are undiagnosed. By learning about these life-saving technologies, you’ll be better equipped to support yourself and your loved ones in life.
