This booklet is a brief guide to help you overcome some of the common challenges which can show up when managing type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whether you’re newly diagnosed, or living with T1D for most of your life, it can feel daunting to know where to start - this guide offers some suggestions on how to do this in a step-wise manner. Taking things a step at a time (sometimes over days, sometimes over weeks and months) should result in meaningful improvements – fewer highs, fewer lows and most importantly a greater feeling of overall wellbeing.
Step 1: Sorting out the background insulin
Step 2: Avoiding overnight hypos
Step 3: Getting the morning glucose on target
Step 4: Matching the quick acting dose to meals
Step 5: Getting the timing right
Step 6: Getting the correction factor right (and not overusing it)
Step 7: Treating hypos appropriately
Step 8: Dealing with exercise
Step 9: Periodically review your patterns (and share them)
Step 10: Accessing support with your diabetes
Acknowledgements:
This booklet has been adapted with permission from Dr. Fraser Gibb Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and STEP - Scottish type 1 Educational Programme.
Special thanks to the input and feedback contributed by members of the D1 Now Young Adult Panel (YAP) as well as the Diabetes Team in Beaumont Hospital in the adaptation of this booklet.