LYD1A KERR

Type 1 diabetes comes with a wide range of specific vocab, which can be overwhelming, confusing, and complicates an already complicated matter.

I’ve broken down a few commonly used terms to help you to understand all those jargon filled posts!

Autoimmune Disease

• A condition in which the immune system attacks the body’s own cells. In T1D, the immune system destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

Artificial Pancreas

• A system that combines a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) with an insulin pump with an algorithm that adjusts insulin delivery automatically. This aims to mimic a healthy pancreas.

Read my thoughts on the artificial pancreas here

Bolus

• A dose of fast acting insulin to manage the rise in blood glucose levels from eating carbohydates.

Basal

• A dose of long lasting insulin that provides a steady, background level of insulin, usually lasting 24 hours.

For more information on bolus and basal insulin, read my blog all about insulin here.

Beta Cells

• Cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. In T1D, these cells are attacked by the immune system, and no longer produce insulin as a result.

Blood Glucose Level

• The amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Often measured in mg/dL (USA) or mmol/L (UK, Australia, Canada etc). BGL’s need to be managed carefully to avoid low and high blood glucose levels.

Carbohydrate counting

• Also referred to as “carb counting”. The process of checking food labels and weights of foods for their carbohydrate content in grams. Used alongside insulin to carb ratios to calculate insulin doses for food.

Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)

• A medical device worn on the body that continuously measures blood glucose levels and provides real-time data.

Read more about CGM’s here.

Correction Dose

• Additional fast acting insulin taken to bring high blood glucose back into the target range.

Dawn Phenomenon

• The dawn phenomenon is a natural early morning rise in blood glucose level due to the release of stress hormones which increase insulin resistance.

Diabetic Ketoacidiosis (DKA)

• DKA is caused by insufficient insulin. Ketones build up in the bloodstream in an attempt to produce energy, but this makes blood turns acidic instead, which is life threatening.

Endocrinologist

• A doctor who specialises in hormones and diseases related to glands, including diabetes.

Glucose

• Also referred to as “sugar”. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose or sugar molecules by insulin.

Glucagon

• A hormone produced by the pancreas that raises blood glucose levels. It can be administered in an emergency to treat low blood sugar.

HbA1c

• A blood test that shows the amount of glucose attached to haemoglobin in the blood, which acts as an indicator of blood glucose levels for the past 2-3 months.

Hybrid Closed Loop

• Also known as the artifical pancreas, a HCL is a technology which links both a CGM and insulin pump, and an algorithm adjusts insulin delivery to manage blood sugar levels.

Read my thoughts on hybrid closed loops here.

Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar)

• High blood sugar levels, generally above 10mmol/L or 180 mg/dL. This happens when there is not enough insulin in the bloodstream.

Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar, or “hypo”)

• Low blood sugar levels, generally below 4mmol/L or 70 mg/dL. This happens when there is too much insuin in the blood stream, and requires immediate sugar intake to treat.

Read all about the highs and lows here.

Insulin

• Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to digest carbohydrates into glucose, an available energy source.
• Endogenous insulin: naturally produced by non-diabetics.
• Exogenous insulin: synthetic and externally administered to diabetics.

Read all about insulin here.

Insulin to carb ratio

• A ratio used to decide how much insulin to dose for a certain amount of carbs. For example, 1:10 means 1 unit for every 10g of carbs consumed.

Insulin on board (IOB)

• The amount of active insulin still in the body from the previous insulin dose. This depends on the active time of the insulin.

Insulin pump

• A medical device worn on the body that delivers a continuous supply of insulin through a small tube under the skin. It can be adjusted to deliver customised rates of basal and bolus insulin.

Read how I chose my insulin pump here.

Ketones

• Ketones are produced by the liver when fat is broken down for energy. This can happen when there is not enough insulin to allow glucose into cells. High ketones can lead to DKA.

Lancet

• A small, sharp needle used to prick the skin for a blood sample to manually test blood glucose levels.

Looping

• The DIY practice of creating a homemade closed-loop system by pairing a CGM with an insulin pump using custom software.

Multiple Daily Injections (MDI)

• MDI is a diabetes management method involving several injections of insulin per day. Often using a mix of bolus and basal insulin pens.

Pre-bolus

• Taking insulin 10-15 minutes before eating to allow it time to start working. This reduces the likelihood a large spike in blood glucose levels will occur after eating.

Post-prandial glucose

• Blood glucose levels after eating a meal

Pre-prandial glucose

• Blood glucose levels before eating a meal

Target Range

• The range of blood glucose levels a person with diabetes aims to stay within for optimal health. The most popular target range is between 4-10 mmol/L, or 70-180 mg/dL. Target ranges can vary between individuals, and for different stages of life, e.g. pregnancy.

Time in Range (TIR)

• The percentage of time a diabetic’s blood glucose levels stay within their target range. Many people aim for at least 70% in range every day.

Type 1 Diabetes

• T1D is an autoimmune condition where the pancreas no longer produces insulin to digest carbohydrates, so manual insulin doses need to be taken instead.

Units

• The measurement used to describe the amount of insulin administered.

I hope this helps you out!

Is there any that I’ve missed? Let me know on Insta @lydiabetic !

Love, Lydia x