The Background
In the UK the guideline hba1c level for people with type 1 diabetes is 6.5% (48mmol/mol) (NICE, 2015), based on what levels might contribute towards people developing increased risk of diabetes complications etc. However, what hba1c on the surface doesn't explain and what took me time to realise as a person with type 1 is also the importance in connection with this of time in range, because hba1c is an average measurement, albeit an important one. This means, as shown in the photo below from research from Dr Choudhary is that for example 3 people with type 1 could all have the same hba1c, but could achieve it in 3 completely different ways. Where as time in range means real-time consistently spent at a blood glucose level within the recommended range- the difference between two cars travelling on the same route A to B, but one car taking the mountainous up and down route and the other car taking the flat motorway.
The 'Current' Situation
At the moment current treatments for diabetes include MDI (multiple daily injections), MDI and CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) or insulin pump and CGM. In the UK the previous model- the MiniMed 640g, which I've been using for about 3 years, uses CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) sensor data to predict blood glucose levels and suspend insulin delivery, with the aim of reducing episodes of hypoglycaemia. This was a true innovation in diabetes technology because hypos (low blood glucose levels) can be a barrier to diabetes control when aiming to lower hba1c levels (the average measure of how glucose levels have been over a 3 month period). This is because if glucose levels on average are generally lower, then there's less room for them to fall.
The Need for Adaptability
At the moment, diabetes management is based on what has happened in the past, to plan what's gone in the future. For example, if somebody had highs every morning at 10am, adjustments might be made to the diabetes regime because that's what the data tells us has happened previously. So despite everyday often being different, a change will be made to combat that. But as I mentioned, everyday is not the same with diabetes and history has shown for me that we accept this until we have the tools to change it. An example of this would be starting off on set insulin doses regardless of what food was being eaten at a meal time, compared to now where we match the insulin to the carbs which gives much greater flexibility and adaptability.
The MiniMed670g
And this is where the MiniMed670g comes in, because it has the element or predictability from sensor data of what direction blood glucose levels are moving in, and it also has the algorithms to adapt to how a person's individual diabetes behaves and it learns from them and gives insulin accordingly.
Read on to my MiniMed 670g blog for data specifically on the pump and release dates.
With thanks to Medtronic for kindly sponsoring me to attend the event.
In the UK the guideline hba1c level for people with type 1 diabetes is 6.5% (48mmol/mol) (NICE, 2015), based on what levels might contribute towards people developing increased risk of diabetes complications etc. However, what hba1c on the surface doesn't explain and what took me time to realise as a person with type 1 is also the importance in connection with this of time in range, because hba1c is an average measurement, albeit an important one. This means, as shown in the photo below from research from Dr Choudhary is that for example 3 people with type 1 could all have the same hba1c, but could achieve it in 3 completely different ways. Where as time in range means real-time consistently spent at a blood glucose level within the recommended range- the difference between two cars travelling on the same route A to B, but one car taking the mountainous up and down route and the other car taking the flat motorway.
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| Research By Dr Pratik Choudhary |
The 'Current' Situation
At the moment current treatments for diabetes include MDI (multiple daily injections), MDI and CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) or insulin pump and CGM. In the UK the previous model- the MiniMed 640g, which I've been using for about 3 years, uses CGM (continuous glucose monitoring) sensor data to predict blood glucose levels and suspend insulin delivery, with the aim of reducing episodes of hypoglycaemia. This was a true innovation in diabetes technology because hypos (low blood glucose levels) can be a barrier to diabetes control when aiming to lower hba1c levels (the average measure of how glucose levels have been over a 3 month period). This is because if glucose levels on average are generally lower, then there's less room for them to fall.
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| To Move Forward With Diabetes Management We Need Innovation |
The Need for Adaptability
At the moment, diabetes management is based on what has happened in the past, to plan what's gone in the future. For example, if somebody had highs every morning at 10am, adjustments might be made to the diabetes regime because that's what the data tells us has happened previously. So despite everyday often being different, a change will be made to combat that. But as I mentioned, everyday is not the same with diabetes and history has shown for me that we accept this until we have the tools to change it. An example of this would be starting off on set insulin doses regardless of what food was being eaten at a meal time, compared to now where we match the insulin to the carbs which gives much greater flexibility and adaptability.
The MiniMed670g
And this is where the MiniMed670g comes in, because it has the element or predictability from sensor data of what direction blood glucose levels are moving in, and it also has the algorithms to adapt to how a person's individual diabetes behaves and it learns from them and gives insulin accordingly.
Read on to my MiniMed 670g blog for data specifically on the pump and release dates.
With thanks to Medtronic for kindly sponsoring me to attend the event.
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