LYD1A KERR

Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes both simple and extremely complicated.

It’s simple because it involves one treatment: insulin.

However, it’s extremely complicated because administering requires precision. It must be injected via pens or pumps in accurate amounts, dependent on blood sugar levels and carb counts. This must be repeated at multiple times throughout the day, while considering factors such as the weather, exercise, and more.

And that’s not all. People with Type 1 Diabetes may also need supplementary medications, but I won’t get into that.

So how is Type 1 Diabetes treated? Let me give a high level overview, based on my personal experience. Please note this is not medical advice. If you have concerns, consult a medical professional.

Insulin pens

Insulin pens can be split into two main categories: long-acting insulin (basal) and rapid-acting insulin.

Long-acting insulin pens

Also known as basal insulin, long-acting insulin is usually injected once a day or split into two doses.

Brands include: Abasaglar, Lantus, Levemir, Semglee, Toujeo, Tresiba (source: NHS)

When I was first diagnosed, I was prescribed an outdated long-lasting cloudy vial of insulin. I had to roll the vial between my hands, and injected four times the amount of insulin I actually needed, which resulted in some scary hypo’s.

Fortunately, after consulting an endocrinologist, I was switched to Lantus. And no, this wasn’t in 1980’s, it was 2020.

Rapid acting insulin

Rapid-acting insulin is injected every time carbohydrates are consumed.

Brands include: Admelog, Apidra, Fiasp, Humalog, Lyumjev, NovoRapid, Trurapi (source: NHS)

Thankfully, I was immediately started on a more standard insulin: NovoLog (the American branding for NovoRapid). I used this for two months, while I was on the definition of a wild rollercoaster ride.

Once I made it back to the UK, my insulin was immediately changed to Fiasp. This is a faster acting insulin than NovoRapid. While it worked well for me when my blood sugar was in range, getting high sugar levels down was another story.

After 2.5 years of insulin pens, I transitioned to an insulin pump.

Insulin pumps

Insulin pumps contain cartridges which are manually filled with rapid acting insulin only. No long acting insulin necessary!

This is because insulin pumps are programmed to deliver a constant background drip of rapid acting insulin. This basal rate is customised to your needs.

Initially, I used Fiasp insulin in my insulin pump, operating it on manual mode.

However, after experiencing high blood sugar levels, I switched to Lyumjev, which was a newer, more effective insulin.

And I LOVED Lyumjev. It felt like a real game changer. It was genuinely rapid acting, I barely needed to pre-bolus. This felt life changing in itself because it felt like gone were the days of setting timers of 15 minutes before I could even consider eating a carb.

However my bubble was burst when I began using Control IQ. Unfortunately, this technology is only approved for use with NovoRapid and Humalog. And so, back I went to my original insulin: NovoRapid.

While this felt like one step forward, two steps back. It really wasn’t! Control IQ is based on the profile of NovoRapid insulin, therefore the algorithm is well equipped to adjust based on my blood sugar levels and insulin on board.

And there you have it, my personal journey with the various insulins for treating Type 1 Diabetes.

Thank you for reading ❤

Love, Lydia x