Tandem’s tiny Mobi pump is FDA approved and set for a limited roll out in the next few weeks. We’ve got a deep dive into its features. Mobi is phone controlled, but it has a button that delivers insulin and more..
This week we're talking with Ben Mar, Tandem’s Director of Product Marketing. We go through all of those features, answer a bunch of your questions about Mobi and about what else is coming up for Tandem.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
More about Mobi: https://www.tandemdiabetes.com/
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It’s been five years since Ryan Reed has been behind the wheel at a NASCAR track. He raced in Vegas earlier this month as part of the Xfinity Cup Series. We talked about what’s changed for his T1D management, how he handles diabetes & driving, why he’s changed to a pump since we last talked and much more. Reed also explains why he appreciates the diabetes community now more than ever.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Our previous episodes with Ryan Reed (and one with his mom!)
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It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: new studies on the safety and efficacy of what's called the pill form of drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, a new study says it may be possible to diagnose a person with type 2 just by recoding their voice, the latest on Tzield, the only drug shown to stave off type 1 for any length of time, how a vegan diet impacts people with T1D, one of the team who discovered insulin gets a long-due honor, and more!
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Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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The next step in GLP-1 research is focusing on oral medications. new study looking at two different versions danuglipron dag-NEW-la-pron and orforglipron ah-for-GLOO-pron
The primary examined outcome consisted of how different the absolute changes in the percentage of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline were between the treatment and control groups. Secondary outcomes included endpoint differences in body weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), and heart rate between the treatment and control groups when absolute changes from baseline values were measured.
The preliminary findings indicated that the orally administered small molecule GLP-1RAs danuglipron twice daily from Pfizer and orforglipron once a day from Lilly were effective in weight reduction and glycemic control in individuals with type 1 diabetes, obesity, or both. As compared to the controls, the novel small molecule GLP-1RAs not only resulted in a significant lowering of HbA1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus but in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes, danuglipron and orforglipron also brought about significant weight reduction.
While the safety profiles indicated that the orally administered danuglipron and orforglipron did not increase the odds of serious adverse reactions or hypoglycemic events, the odds of adverse gastrointestinal events such as diarrhea, nausea, constipation, and vomiting were higher. These adverse gastrointestinal events were also linked to higher odds of treatment discontinuation.
Further, longitudinal studies are required to understand these treatment options' long-term efficacy, tolerability, and safety.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231017/Oral-diabetes-and-obesity-meds-danuglipron-and-orforglipron-show-promise-but-have-gastrointestinal-drawbacks.aspx
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More news about Tzield to slow type 1 progression in newly diagnosed children and adolescents. Data from the Phase III PROTECT clinical trial, presented at the 2023 Annual ISPAD Conference, showed that superior beta cell preservation was observed compared to placebo.
On average, patients administered with TZIELD required numerically fewer insulin units and had numerically higher time in range, compared to those on placebo. HbA1c reductions and the overall rates of clinically important hypoglycemic events were similar among both study groups.
TZIELD is the first and only disease modifying therapy in type 1 diabetes
An observational extension study following participants for a further 42 months is ongoing.
Release of the PROTECT trial data follows the company’s acquisition of Provention Bio (a Sanofi Company) in April 2023 and therefore represents a key milestone for Sanofi.
https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/187735/sanofi-treatment-could-slow-type-1-diabetes-progression/
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Lots of speculation about what the growing popularity of new diabetes drugs will do to the device market. Abbott says they’re doing just fine.. and that the treatments could end up boosting sales of the medical device maker. Shares have dropped with concerns that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro could hurt CGM sales. Abbott says their sales are actually up this year.
Now, grain of salt, because this is press release info.. but it’s worth noting that the device market is very important to people who use pump systems of course. Most diabetes device analysts do seem to agree with Abbott here.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/abbott-beats-profit-estimates-strong-sales-devices-diagnostics-2023-10-18/XX
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Could a 10-second smartphone voice recording diagnose type 2? This is something else.. biotech firm Klick Labs testing 267 people who had already been diagnosed as being either non-diabetic (192 people) or type 2 diabetic (75 people).
Each person was asked to record a specific spoken phrase on their own smartphone via an app, up to six times a day for two weeks. Depending on the speed at which each individual spoke, those recordings were six to 10 seconds long.
When 14 acoustic features of the resulting 18,465 recordings were analyzed, it was found that several of those features – such as pitch and intensity – differed in a consistent manner between the diabetic and non-diabetic participants. Although these differences couldn't be detected by the human ear, they could be picked up by signal processing software.
This finding suggests that developing type 2 diabetes causes subtle changes in a person's voice.
With that theory in mind, the scientists created an AI-based program that analyzes voice recordings along with patient information such as age, sex, height and weight. When tested on the volunteers, that program proved to be 89% accurate at identifying type 2 diabetic women and 86% accurate at spotting diabetic men.
Those numbers should improve as the technology is refined. For reference, the team found that traditional fasting blood glucose tests were 85% accurate for both sexes, while glycated hemoglobin and oral glucose tolerance tests were 91% and 92% accurate, respectively.
https://newatlas.com/medical/10-second-voice-test-type-2-diabetes/
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Ultrasound may prove a new treatment for type 2 diabetes.. GE HealthCare Technologies is teaming up with Novo Nordisk on peripheral focused ultrasound, a new technology with potential to regulate metabolic function–without drugs, GE HealthCare said in a release. Early-stage clinical research suggests this type of ultrasound can affect diabetes patients’ glucose metabolism by stimulating nerve pathways, the company said.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ge-healthcare-teams-up-with-novo-nordisk-to-treat-diabetes-without-drugs-7b679c3e
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New research on diet and type 1 diabetes.. looking at plant based & moderate carb diets. I’ll link up the full results but the upshot here is that portion control, moderate carb, and vegan all worked very well – when you’ve got a dietitian helping you make individual choices. The Vegan diet in particular is interesting, but it was not low carb – some people actually ate more carbs than usual – up to 300 a day – but the fat levels were very low. This group’s insulin sensitivity went was up, and they lost on average 11 pounds. A1C decrease was about the same in all the groups.
“It’s important to have different types of diets that fit with different individuals
https://diatribe.org/type-1-diabetes-new-studies-vegan-and-moderate-carbohydrate-diets-type-1-diabetes
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Improving health insurance coverage is not enough to address existing racial and ethnic disparities in glycemic control among US adults with diabetes. This was a large study by researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. A cross-sectional analysis of more than 4000 US adults with elevated HbA1c, results of the study suggest Hispanic or Latino and non-Hispanic Black individuals were more likely to have poor glycemic control relative to their non-Hispanic White counterparts despite access to care, with investigators noting social, health care, and behavioral or health factors did little to attenuate these apparent disparities.
“Future studies should apply causal frameworks to evaluate the role of other structural barriers contributing to the high burden of poor control among insured Hispanic or Latino and non-Hispanic Black individuals to develop effective interventions,” investigators concluded.1
https://www.hcplive.com/view/racial-disparities-in-diabetes-management-go-beyond-insurance-status-study-finds
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A scientist who helped discover insulin a century ago has been honoured with a memorial in Aberdeen.
John JR Macleod was awarded the Nobel prize for his part in the ground-breaking project – one of the most significant advancements in medical science.
However, the physiologist’s achievements were largely unknown.
Now he has been celebrated in his home city with the unveiling of a new life-sized bronze sculpture.
https://news.stv.tv/north/aberdeen-memorial-for-scientist-john-jr-macleod-who-co-discovered-insulin-unveiled-at-duthie-park
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If you watch the Food Network’s Halloween Cookie Challenge – you can root for the diabetes mom. Chelsea Fullmer’s son lives with type 1. The Food Network says she is a mother, entrepreneur, and passionate baker with her own Central Texas baking business, “Pink Lemon Cookies.” Tune in Monday evening
https://shoptherock.com/round-rock-baker-rises-to-the-occasion-on-food-networks-halloween-cookie-challenge/?fbclid=IwAR3S8vA8JkbtUkVhjg1L6L9CFBIP4v_Nf-p9hWn0VUvFh5RHjDlIy8-YvYo
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Next week I’m talking to Ryan Reed, NASCAR Xfinity driver with type 1 about what got him back behind the wheel. And our last long format episode was all about Dexcom U and student athletes with T1D.
Join us again soon!
Going to college with type 1 is a big adjustment. Going to college as a student athlete with type 1 is on another level. You'll hear from Syracuse University rower Tristan Wakefield about his schedule, how he manages T1D and how he and his parents worked ahead of time to make the transition as smooth as possible.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Find out more about Moms' Night Out
More about the NIL policy here: https://www.ncsasports.org/name-image-likeness
More about Dexcom U here: https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/dexcomu
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
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A new movie’s in the works about diabetes called "The Cost". It’s fictional, a thriller co-written and directed by Mike Hogan who lives with type 1.
Mike explains more about what the movie is about, how you can help it get made, and what it’s been like following a childhood dream that doesn’t include health insurance.
Contact Mike directly at Mike@tallorderproductions.com
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Find out more about Moms' Night Out
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
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Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
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It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: lots of news from the EASD conference, including info from Dexcom, Vertex, and more, the ADA issues new guidelines for CGM use at school around caregivers' ability to follow, a new study says women should be screened at a younger age for type 2 diabetes, and congrats to Lauren Dahlin, who lives with type 1, for qualifying for the Ironman race in Hawaii.
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Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark
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Lots of news out of EASD – the European Association for the Study of Diabetes happening this week. Including, a new trial finds that antiviral medications, when given soon after a child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, might help preserve those vital beta cells.
The team followed 96 children aged 6 to 15 who were all diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within three weeks prior to their enrollment in the study. The children were randomly selected to receive either the two antiviral medicines or a placebo for six months.
After one year of follow-up, the researchers found that C-peptide levels remained "significantly higher" in kids who'd gotten the antiviral treatment compared to those who hadn't. That suggests the treatment helped shield the child's pancreatic beta cells from destruction.
While C-peptide levels dropped a full 24% in children who received the placebo, it fell by just 11% in those who got the antivirals, the investigators found.
On top of that, 86% of kids who'd gotten the antivirals still produced their own insulin at a level that makes treatment with supplementary insulin easier, the team said, and is also known to be linked to lowered risks for diabetes complications.
The treatment appeared to be safe, with no severe side effects noted.
According to Mynarek's team, their research supports the notion "that a low-grade persistent virus infection is an underlying disease mechanism, and that type 1 diabetes may be prevented by development of new vaccines."
The researchers concluded that "further studies should be done at an earlier stage in the disease process, to evaluate whether antiviral treatment could delay the progression of beta-cell damage leading to clinical type 1 diabetes."
https://consumer.healthday.com/type-1-diabetes-2665779376.html
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Also at EASD, an update on once a week insulin icodec for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. While several other studies have investigated once-weekly insulins in type 2 diabetes, this was the first data to be presented from a large-scale phase 3 study in type 1 diabetes.
The study, ONWARDS 6, included 582 people with type 1 diabetes who received either insulin icodec or insulin degludec. Participants had an average age of 44 years and an average diabetes duration of 20 years. Both the icodec and degludec group received basal insulin in combination with mealtime insulin (insulin aspart, or NovoLog) over a period of 57 weeks.
Overall, participants treated with once-weekly icodec and once-daily icodec had similar reductions in A1C of -0.5%, suggesting that this new insulin may offer another option for treating type 1 diabetes.
What were the key findings?
This study showed that insulin icodec was effective at reducing A1C in people with type 1 diabetes, although icodec did lead to higher rates of hypoglycemia compared to degludec.
Researchers are still investigating some questions related to the hypoglycemia events that occurred in this trial, such as how the time of injection and exercise may affect hypoglycemia.
https://diatribe.org/once-weekly-insulins-type-1-diabetes-latest-research-update
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Vertex Pharmaceuticals says a third type 1 patient no longer needs insulin after it’s investigational stem cell-derived therapy VX-880, being assessed for type 1 diabetes.
Two patients who had been followed for at least 12 months likewise met the study’s endpoint of the elimination of serious hypoglycemic events (SHE) between 90 days and 12 months.
Tuesday’s results follow an earlier data drop in June 2023, detailing the first two patients that achieved insulin independence and met the study’s primary endpoint.
The first patient achieved insulin independence 270 days into treatment, lasting through month 24 of the follow-up. The patient had type 1 diabetes (T1D) for “nearly 42 years,” according to Vertex’s announcement, and was taking 34 units of insulin daily.
Insulin independence came on day 180 for the second patient, persisting through 12 months of follow-up. The patient had T1D for 19 years and was taking 45.1 units of exogenous insulin daily. This patient had to restart insulin treatment at month 15, though at a much lower daily dose of four units.
The third patient stopped needing insulin at 180 days of treatment, which happened after the data cut-off, according to Vertex.
Aside from insulin independence, the new data from the Phase I/II study showed that VX-880 induced islet cell engraftment in all participants in parts A and B of the study at 90 days. In turn, these patients are now capable of endogenous glucose-responsive insulin production and demonstrated better glycemic control across various measures, including HbA1c and time-in-range.
Before receiving VX-880, all enrolled participants had long-standing T1D and showed no signs of endogenous insulin secretion and required 34.0 units of insulin per day on average, according to Vertex’s announcement on Tuesday. All patients also had histories of recurrent severe hypoglycemic events.
An investigational allogeneic stem cell-based therapeutic, VX-880 works by delivering fully differentiated and insulin-producing islet cells, in turn restoring the body’s glucose-responsive insulin production capabilities and boosting glucose control. VX-880 is designed to be delivered via an infusion through the hepatic portal vein. Patients need to be on an immunosuppressive regimen to receive the candidate.
Vertex’s T1D program also includes VX-264, an investigational therapy that encapsulates stem cell-derived islet cells in a protective device to be implanted into the patients’ bodies, according to the company’s website. Because the device is designed to shield the therapeutic cells from the body’s response, VX-264 is being studied without the use of immunosuppressive therapies.
https://www.biospace.com/article/vertex-touts-promising-data-for-stem-cell-based-type-1-diabetes-treatment/
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I mentioned Dexcom’s presentation at EASD in our long format interview earlier this week..
One of the company’s studies, for example, recruited insulin users in the U.K. to test out the Dexcom ONE device, which offers a more simplified interface compared to the company’s flagship G-series sensors. Though both Type 1 and Type 2 patients joined the study, Dexcom specifically singled out its results in the Type 2 population: The group saw their average HbA1c levels drop from a baseline of just over 10% to 8.5% after three months, then down to 8.3% after another three months, according to a company release.
The data marked the first real-world study conducted on the Dexcom ONE CGM, Leach said.
Another study presented at the EASD conference this week verified the use of the G7 sensor in pregnant women with Type 1, Type 2 or gestational diabetes—making Dexcom’s G6 and G7 devices the only commercially available CGMs backed by clinical data for use during pregnancy, the company said.
That group makes up about 10% of all pregnancies, he said, and “whether you’re on insulin therapy or not, just the benefit of having a
Supported by those findings, Dexcom said in the release that it now plans to make the G7 sensor available for use with Tandem’s t:slim X2 insulin pump in the U.S. and “multiple markets across Europe and Asia-Pacific” before the end of 2023.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/easd-dexcom-cgms-notch-wins-among-type-2-and-pregnant-users-and-7-year-real-world-data
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Metformin may lengthen the time until insulin initiation, lower fasting glucose and improve neonatal outcomes for pregnant women with gestational diabetes, according to data from a randomized trial.
In findings presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting and simultaneously published in JAMA, researchers compared glycemic, maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with gestational diabetes randomly assigned up to 2,500 mg metformin daily with those receiving placebo. The metformin group had a lower mean fasting glucose at 32 and 38 weeks of gestation, and the offspring of women receiving metformin had a lower mean birth weight than the offspring of those receiving placebo.
Metformin reduces the likelihood for large for gestational age among offspring of women with gestational diabetes.
Infants from mothers in the metformin group had a lower mean birth weight than offspring of mothers from the placebo group (3,393 g vs. 3,506 g; P = .005). The percentage of infants born large for gestational age was lower in the metformin group vs. placebo (6.5% vs. 14.9%; P = .003). Mean crown-to-heel length was shorter in offspring of mothers from the metformin group compared with placebo (51 cm vs. 51.7 cm; P = .02).
“Caution should continue with metformin and small for gestational age, especially in those where small for gestational age may be more likely, so those with hypertension or nephropathy,” Dunne said during the presentation.
https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20231004/metformin-provides-glycemic-neonatal-benefits-for-women-with-gestational-diabetes
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More voices are calling for more screening for type 1 diabetes. About 85% of people with type have no family history.
Various research programs are going on worldwide to establish the best ways of implementing universal screening, including programs in Germany, the USA, Israel, the UK, and Australia. A new program (Edent1fi) has just been funded that will include multiple new European countries, including the UK, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Italy, and the Czech Republic. "These are all research programs. The next steps before universal screening for type 1 diabetes becomes general policy will require guidelines for monitoring and endorsement of screening and monitoring guidelines by applicable societies," explains Dr. Sims. This will also be helped by broader access to disease-modifying therapies to impact progression and the need to start insulin injections.
Screening for adults, who can also develop T1D, is less well studied. Although optimal approaches have yet to be elucidated, this population will also likely benefit from identifying early-stage disease and the advantages of education, monitoring, and access to therapy.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231003/Universal-screening-A-game-changer-in-early-detection-and-management-of-type-1-diabetes.aspx
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As I mentioned briefly in my last episode, one of the winners of this year’s Nobel prize for medicine has lived with type 1 for almost 60 years. Dr. Drew Weissman and Katalin Karikó won the Nobel for their work on the COVID-19 vaccines received a Nobel Prize of Medicine.
Karikó and Weissman met by chance in the 1990s while photocopying research papers, Karikó told The Associated Press. Weissman was diagnosed at age 5 and I’ll link up a great interview that Mike Hoskins posted – he used to write for DiabetesMine.
http://www.thediabeticscornerbooth.com/2021/02/we-can-thank-this-researcher-with-type.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR254vGL8G0aU3uUnvfHbJa79WCiFgS8ihMgHMf0V2hK2QYJBLaa9zwMn7U
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Should women be screened for type 2 diabetes at a younger age than men? A recent study published in Diabetes Therapy explores this hypothesis – there’s a lot here and I’ll link it up, but they examine the theory that menstruation can throw off an A1C.
Women with diabetes between 16-60 years of age have an increased mortality risk by about 27% as compared to diabetic men of the same age when both are compared to the general population. Women lose an average of 5.3 years from their lifespan with diabetes as compared to 4.5 years for men. The study comprised two cohorts. The first included over 146,000 individuals using a single HbA1c reading at or below 50 mmol/mol obtained between 2012 and 2019. The distribution was replicated using readings from a second cohort of about 940,000 people, whose samples were analyzed in six laboratories between 2019 and 2021.
The mean HbA1c level in women at any given age corresponded to that observed in men up to ten years earlier. These findings were corroborated with data obtained from the second cohort.
An undermeasurement of approximately 1.6 mmol/mol HbA1c in women may delay their diabetes diagnosis by up to ten years. Ten years in which they weren’t being treated.
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231004/The-cut-off-for-HbA1c-based-diagnosis-of-diabetes-may-be-too-high-in-women.aspx
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Very recently, the Americans with Diabetes Association released updated CGM guidance for use in schools. The link to the new guidance is below.
This came about after discussions with stakeholders, including myself and Attorney Roswig. Be clear, this was revised because of the discussions and “rallying” of families impacted, where in some cases schools were pointing to certain flaws in the language in the prior guidance.
While this new guidance may address your CGM issue with your particular school, the new guidance, in our opinion, still needs work. Please know that this work will continue.
If you have any more specific questions, please contact me and I will attempt to address the same. Thank you for your patience, thus far, and anticipated trust and patience going forward. https://diabetes.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/cgm-final-9-22-23.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1t4cpPUSmDoitWiH2hSgNnXWdeYQjPW4rlewjWkWHiOYWc65HX8ub74Yo
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have to show everyone and show myself that this doesn’t change anything,” said Lauren Dahlin about her diagnosis with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at 26 years old in 2017. Today, she’s a true athlete who has competed in nine Ironman races — consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. Completed within about 14 hours!
This past summer, Dahlin competed in the annual Ironman in Lake Placid, NY. The event came with a lot of pressure because placing within the top 24 racers meant qualifying for the biggest Ironman event of all: the World Championship in Kona, HI.
She did it. Dahlin placed 9th amongst about 600 other female competitors — becoming one of the first women with T1D to qualify for the Ironman in Kona, HI. Happening next weekend Oct 14th
Here’s a closer look at Dahlin’s journey from diagnosis to rockstar competitive athlete.
Diagnosed just days before a potential DKA coma
“I couldn’t even walk half a flight of stairs without getting extremely winded because I was so far gone,” explains Dahlin of her pre-diagnosis symptoms. “The clinic gave me an inhaler for asthma and sent me home!”
Dahlin saw six different providers before someone finally gave her the appropriate diagnosis. They even performed a full-blood panel workup and didn’t diagnose her T1D. Eventually, Dahlin went to the emergency room in Boston, where she lived, and the staff told her she was experiencing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). She then spent ten days in the intensive care unit learning about her new life living with T1D.
“I was bummed that the doctors hadn’t caught my diagnosis earlier because there were a lot of clinical trials happening in Boston that I could have been a part of.”
Regardless, Dahlin didn’t want to slow down — within one month of her diagnosis, she signed up for her first half-marathon.
https://t1dexchange.org/ironman-world-championship-type-1-diabetes/
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That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.
Dexcom’s Chief Operating Officer Jake Leach talks to me about G6, G7, trends in CGM, what the company has its eye on next and answers a lot of your questions.
This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Find out more about Moms' Night Out
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Edgepark Medical Supplies
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
Bonus episode! Rob Howe is the host of Diabetics Doing Things. He’s also one of the speakers at my Mom’s Night out event coming up in just over two weeks Outside of Dallas, in Frisco Texas.
He’s been going a lot of cool stuff and we were just catching up.. and I thought it would be fun to record a conversation about everything the two of us are working on. So here’s that chat, very little editing and no commercials.
Our regular episodes of course air on Tuesdays – next week’s will be late in the day or maybe Wednesday morning. I’m talking to Dexcom at EASD European Assoc for the Study of Diabetes on Tuesday, so we’ll turn it around as quickly as possible.
Ok, as always, This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider.
Find out more about Moms' Night Out
Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
Edgepark Medical Supplies
Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens
Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange
The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
Here's where to find us:
Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com
Off to college, just for caregivers! Stacey took part in a webinar panel hosted by The Diabetes Link to talk about advice and experience all around sending young adults with type 1 diabetes away to school.
She's joined by Anna Sabino, CDCES of Finding Smiles Coaching. The panel is hosted by Diane Rose, director of programs for The Diabetes Link.
A transcript is below
Find out more about Moms' Night Out
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It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new CGM from Medtronic is approved in Europe, semaglutides for people newly diagnosed type 1 may make a huge difference, a look at Keto diet for kids, Apple teases non-invasive glucose monitoring and Dexcom U is back!
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Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!
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Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures
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The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter here
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Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
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Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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Our top this story this week a new CGM from Medtronic gets approval in Europe. It’s called Simplera – an all in one disposable CGM– no fingersticks and no over-tape, which is new for Medtronic. Simplera is integrated with the InPen™ smart insulin pen, which provides real-time, personalized dosing guidance to help simplify diabetes management. Medtronic will begin a phased launch at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany on Oct. 2-6, 2023.
Simplera™ is indicated for ages 2+ and compatible with iOS and Android. Simplera™ is not approved by the FDA and is limited to investigational use in the U.S. Medtronic's automated insulin delivery (AID) system integrated with this next-generation sensor is currently under review for CE Mark and is not commercially available in the U.S. or in Europe. I’ve reached out to Medtronic – we’ll learn more soon.
https://news.medtronic.com/2023-09-21-Medtronic-Diabetes-announces-CE-Mark-for-new-Simplera-TM-CGM-with-disposable-all-in-one-design
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A small study and a long way to go here, but a weekly dose of semaglutide, helped seven out of 10 patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes stop taking insulin after three to six months. Semaglutide is the key ingredient in Ozempic.. approved for type 2 and Wegovy, approved for weight loss. It’s also thought to tamp down the inflammation that can lead to the destruction of insulin-producing cells.
He noted previous research has shown that patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes still have the ability to make some of their own insulin, so the team tested semaglutide in patients within three months of their diagnosis. All ten patients were taking meal time and long acting insulin. After three months, all of them came off meal time insulin, and seven stopped basal insulin. Much more study needed here.. interestingly. Ozempic’s maker, Novo Nordisk noted it didn't sponsor this study and isn't pursuing trials of semaglutide for type 1 diabetes itself,
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/semaglutide-ozempic-wagovy-type-1-diabetes-insulin-study/
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a widely used diabetes drug that controls blood sugar can also prevent muscle atrophy and muscular fibrosis—which can help the elderly bounce back faster from injury or illness. Researchers from the University of Utah Health have found that Metformin has surprising applications on a cellular level. Their findings were published in the journal Aging Cell.
“We saw two things in our study,” Drummond says. “When participants took Metformin during a bed rest, they had less muscle atrophy. During the recovery period, their muscles also had less fibrosis or excessive collagen. That build-up can make it harder for the muscle to properly function.”
https://scitechdaily.com/researchers-discover-surprising-side-effect-of-common-diabetes-drug/
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Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have created a device for people with type 1 diabetes that may help produce insulin when needed.
Their findings were published on September 18 in The Proceeding of the National Academy of Science.
The MIT engineers reported that the small implantable device could carry hundreds of thousands of insulin-producing islet cells. Previous devices made for the same purpose failed and stopped producing insulin because they ran out of oxygen needed to create the insulin.
To combat this, the scientists created an oxygen factory on the device, allowing it to generate oxygen by splitting water vapor in the body.
The researchers said the device could potentially replace insulin injections in people with type 1 diabetes.
Dr. Caroline Messer, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, not involved in the study, explained to Medical News Today:
“Currently, islet cell transplant is limited to patients with a history of severe metabolic complications and consistent failure of insulin-based therapies. Long-term success rates are low, and patients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Conceptually, implantable islet cells that do not require immune suppression and create their own source of oxygen is nothing short of brilliant.”
MIT researchers said the device kept glucose levels stable for at least one month when implanted into mice. The device has not yet been tested in humans.
Researchers hope to create a larger version of the device and test it in people with type 1 diabetes. They expect this device to be about the size of a stick of chewing gum.
“We are eager to see this technology translate, but it does take time,” said Dan Anderson, PhD, the study’s lead author and a professor of chemistry at MIT. “We hope to see this technology in humans within at most four years.”
Although the researchers remained focused on treating diabetes, they indicate this kind of device might be able to be adapted to treat other illnesses that require repeated delivery of therapeutic proteins.
“This technology allows for an improvement in the current approach to implantation of units containing cells that produce insulin in response to blood glucose levels without requiring invasive surgery,” said Dr. Eliud Sifonte, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Medical Associates, who was not involved in the study.
“Historically, this approach has been difficult to maintain due to an inability to provide a good oxygen supply to those implanted cells,” Dr. Sifonte told MNT.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-a-new-device-may-help-with-insulin-production-for-type-1-diabetes
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Weight Watchers and Abbott announce their new app for people with diabetes. This is a WW app that integrates the use of a Freestyle Libre.
The app helps people with diabetes understand how food and activity impact their glucose levels. WeightWatchers had a team of nutrition and behavioral science experts designed its tailored plan. It aims to help people with type 2 diabetes form helpful habits and meet their health goals.
The plan has demonstrated success in helping people with diabetes lose weight and lower their HbA1c, the company said.
https://www.massdevice.com/abbott-weightwatchers-unveil-connected-diabetes-app/
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Keto and other low carbohydrate diets have gained popularity for type 2 diabetes in adults, but there are safety concerns for young people, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautioned.
Restricting carbohydrates in young people at risk for or with diabetes raises concerns for growth deceleration, nutritional deficiencies, poor bone health, nutritional ketosis, and disordered eating behaviors, Tamara Hannon, MD, of Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, and colleagues on the AAP Committee on Nutrition wrote in a clinical report to guide care.
Based on demonstrated risks, low- and very low-carbohydrate diets were not recommended for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, "except under close diabetes care team supervision utilizing safety guidelines," the group wrote in Pediatricsopens in a new tab or window.
Low-carb (<26% of daily calories), very low-carb (20-50 g per day) and ketogenic (<20 g per day) diets limit foods that can be included compared with the typically recommended diet, where 45% to 65% of the total calories come from carbohydrates.
Rather than cutting all carbs, the policy document urged focusing on reducing children's consumption of nutrient-poor processed snacks and sugary beverages but keeping healthy carbs found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.
However, there was a warning for clinicians in how they approach these conversations.
Hannon's group pointed to a survey conducted with an international social media-based group of adults and parents of young people with type 1 diabetes who chose to use low- or very low-carbohydrate diets as adjunct treatment. "Respondents reported excellent glycemic control but poor relationships with diabetes care providers associated with distrust and feeling judged about their diabetes management decisions," Hannon and colleagues wrote.
The medical team might do the most good when patients and their families elect to follow these diets by not alienating them.
However, they added, "Long-term outcomes of youth following carbohydrate-restricted diets on diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes are needed and may be underreported because of attrition."
For young people with prediabetes or type 1 or 2 diabetes for whom weight loss or maintenance is indicated, pediatricians can counsel them that a reduced energy diet -- irrespective of carbohydrate content -- is most important to that end, the authors noted.
However, any dietary restriction "can be associated with physical, metabolic, and psychological consequences, including risk for disordered eating in children and adolescents, with additional risk for those with diabetes," Hannon and colleagues noted.
As for carbohydrate restriction in young people at risk for or with diabetes, the hope is for more data.
Going forward, "we need longitudinal studies of growth and development in children/families who choose to utilize low-carb diets for the purposes of diabetes management," Hannon told MedPage Today. "We need studies that investigate more longer-term outcomes, including the possible risks and benefits."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/generalpediatrics/106386
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DexCom (NASDAQ:DXCM), Tandem Diabetes Care (NASDAQ:TNDM), and Insulet (NASDAQ:PODD) all closed lower Thursday following a report that Apple (AAPL) has named a new head for its project to develop a glucose monitor that doesn't require a skin prick for a blood sample.
Bloomberg reported that VP of Platform Architecture Tim Millet is now heading the project, known as E5. The plan would be to add blood glucose monitor capability to the Apple Watch.
Millet has been with Apple (AAPL) for 19 years.
DexCom fell 3.5%, Tandem (TNDM) was off 4.3%, and Insulet (PODD) lost 1.3%.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4012056-dexcom-tandem-diabetes-fall-apple-glucose-monitor-new-team-lead
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the global leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring for people with diabetes, announced today the launch of the second season of Dexcom U, the first-ever NIL (name, image, likeness) program exclusively for college athletes with diabetes, which had its inaugural season last year.
“I’m elated to come back for my second year and continue to show I can accomplish anything while living with diabetes”
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Dexcom U is a unique NIL program that was created in response to a 2022 survey which found that improving representation for people with diabetes can inspire future generations of athletes living with the condition. With about 17% of student athletes at Division I institutions participating in NIL activities in 20221 and that number expected to grow, Dexcom U is still the only NIL program designed to celebrate college athletes with diabetes and inspire people with diabetes who have athletic dreams of their own.
Throughout the last year, athletes on the Dexcom U inaugural roster participated in 381 collegiate competitions with the help of Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology. The impact of the program is set to expand in 2023 as the roster size grows by 43%.
“In response to last year’s launch, we heard from parents of young children, coaches and athletes with diabetes who felt seen through the stories of Dexcom U athletes,” said Teri Lawver, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Dexcom. “We’re thrilled to expand the program in year two and continue celebrating these inspirational collegiate athletes while proving that diabetes does not have to hold you back.”
Dexcom not only understands the pivotal role technology plays in helping athletes with diabetes feel and perform at their best, but also the importance of support from others who understand what it’s like to strive for athletic excellence while managing diabetes. A Dexcom survey showed nearly half (48%) of adults with Type 1 diabetes and parents to children with diabetes believe that being aware of a professional or top amateur athlete or celebrity with Type 1 diabetes would be very beneficial for a newly diagnosed individual,2 which is why mentorship continues to be a cornerstone of the program.
The Dexcom U 2023 roster consists of 20 athletes, including 11 new teammates, all who rely on Dexcom CGM to track their glucose levels* and manage their diabetes:
Amber Jackson, Track & Field, University of Louisville
Ava DeStefon, Cheerleading, Clemson University
Beau Corrales, Football, Texas State University
Bri Carrasquillo, Lacrosse, Yale University
Bryce Frederick, Baseball, Towson University
Cade Brown, Baseball, Murray State University
Caleb Fauria, Football, University of Colorado
Dante Vasquez, Football, Springfield College
Isaac Traudt, Basketball, Creighton University
Jaime Ferrer, Baseball, Florida State University
Jaxon Dowell, Golf, University of Oklahoma
Jessica Walter, Softball, Providence College
Joshua Meriwether, Football, Tennessee State University
Leo Giannoni, Baseball, Columbus State University
Madison Moraja, Track & Field, North Carolina State University
Marlee Fray, Soccer, University of Texas at San Antonio
Nicholas Hahne, Cheerleading, University of Notre Dame
Paris Husic, Track & Field, Wake Forest University
Raegan Lantz, Volleyball, Miami University
Tristan Wakefield, Rowing, Syracuse University
“I’m elated to come back for my second year and continue to show I can accomplish anything while living with diabetes,” said Bri Carrasquillo, Lacrosse player at Yale University and second-year member of Dexcom U. “My Dexcom CGM allows me to play at my highest level, while giving me, my coaches and family peace of mind by tracking my glucose levels through the Follow app.† I feel it’s important to educate others about the tools available that have made such a difference in my diabetes management.”
As part of the program, Dexcom has created educational resources for athletes with diabetes as well as for parents, coaches and teammates so they can better understand the disease and how to support the people with diabetes in their lives. Resources include first-hand advice from Dexcom U athletes as well as tips for managing diabetes, exercise and mental wellbeing – on and off the field.
“It’s a privilege to join such a special group of athletes and shed light on the important mission of Dexcom U,” said Dante Vasquez, football player Springfield College and first-year member of the program. “Not only does being part of Dexcom U give me confidence to perform at my highest levels with my Dexcom G7, but it empowers me to be a mentor and inspire the next generation of athletes with diabetes.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919150027/en/Dexcom-U-Kicks-off-2023-Season-With-Expanded-Roster-of-Athletes-With-Diabetes-Building-on-First-of-its-Kind-NIL-Program
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