LYD1A KERR

I have now been using Control IQ for around one year, after I spent a few months learning how to use my insulin pump on its own.

My insulin pump was funded by my hospital team back in November 2022, however I have been self-funding the Dexcom G6 since April 2023 (around £159/month) so that I could access the Control-IQ technology.

I have since upgraded to the Dexcom G7, which is slightly cheaper, but still spenny (£138/month when you pay for three months at once at £413.99).

What is Control IQ?

Control IQ is the name of the technology behind the hybrid closed loop system between the Dexcom G6/G7 and Tandem T-Slim X2 insulin pump.

This technology enables my insulin pump to receive my blood sugar readings, and adjust insulin delivery accordingly.

For example, if my blood sugar is high, my insulin pump will give me more insulin. If my blood sugar goes low, my insulin pump will suspend insulin delivery. Side note: insulin is responsible for lowering blood sugar levels.

This is hugely beneficial in preventing prolonged periods with high blood sugar, as well as preventing crashing low.

Here are my thoughts and feelings so far:

Reduction in hypo’s

I’ve had a great reduction in the severity and occurrence of hypo’s (low blood sugar).

If my blood sugar is going low, or dropping fast, the Dexcom communicates with the insulin pump, and the insulin delivery can be reduced or stopped completely.

Prior to Control 1Q, I was low generally 5% of my time, and this is now less than 1%. I’ve also noticed that I don’t need as much hypo treatment to bring my blood sugar levels up (depending on severity/amount of insulin/activity etc).

While my brain can still scream at me to raid the entire kitchen, this very rarely happens anymore. If I am low, a few sweets, or a small drink of sugary juice, is usually enough to bring me back to range in a short space of time.

Don’t get me wrong, hypo’s still happen, but this reduction in their occurrence and severity is a huuuuge win in my eyes. Fun fact, my anxiety around hypo’s and low blood sugar was the main reason I was accepted to have an insulin pump in the first place.

Less of a rollercoaster

A I rarely get huge blood sugar spikes anymore, as long as I’ve carb counted properly, and pre-bolused with enough time, my blood sugar levels generally stay within range.

This means my blood sugar levels don’t end up on a rollercoaster ride which has definitely improved my quality of life because when my blood sugar goes up rapidly, and then drops rapidly, I feel so nauseous!

I know this is possible with insulin pens, but I personally found myself to be on a blood sugar rollercoaster more often than not back in those days.

Precise insulin delivery

Precise insulin delivery is a huge factor in keeping me in range. For example, if I have 27g of carbs in a meal, my insulin pump can give me 2.7 units of insulin, which is exactly what I need when I’m on a 1 unit:10 g carbs ratio. If I was using insulin pens, I would have to round up to 3 units. That extra 0.3 units could be the difference in having a hypo after my meal!

Of course there are caveats such as incorrect carb counting, insulin sensitivity, etc, but I’m just talking generally here.

I also find it wild that when my blood sugars are high, sometimes all I need is a dose of 0.2 units of insulin to get me back into range. If I was on insulin pens, and wanted to administer a correction dose for a high blood sugar, I would have to inject 5x as much insulin as I actually need (1 unit), which would most likely cause me to drop low.

Of course, you can get 0.5 unit pens, but this was never an option to me unfortunately.

No more micro managing

I don’t have to micro manage myself anymore?!

I have been obsessed with managing my diabetes for many reasons, so the idea of technology taking some of the burden is really important to me and my own sanity.

Being able to just put in my carbs, then put my pump in my pocket knowing that it’ll work out the rest is ideal!

Life changing

I understand that I am in a very privileged position to have access to an insulin pump and CGM. I appreciate it every single day for making such a huge improvement on my quality of life. I hope that one day access to this technology won’t be seen as a luxury, but as the necessity that it truly is.

Of course Type 1 Diabetes is still a menace to try and manage but overall I am loving Control IQ – I spend way less time freaking out about my blood sugar levels which can only be a good thing.

Thank you so much for reading ❤

Love, Lydia x