CGM Best Fit for Active Type 1 Patients

Jan 19, 2015
3,248 views

Janelle, an RN, is 36 years old with type 1 diabetes.

She has a busy life between family and work. She eats healthy, exercises regularly, and wears a pump but occasionally has severe hypoglycemia, especially during exercise and at night.

When I met her, I recommended she wear a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and pay special attention to her “arrows.” When the arrow is pointing down she should decrease her basal by 30% for two hours. This is what she now does and has since averted many hypoglycemic events.

Lessons Learned:

Know your patient, their lifestyles and their patterns.
I recommend CGM to all my patients who have type 1 diabetes.
It is better to temporarily decrease basals rather than suspend. Many times people who suspend forget to turn their basals back on, and then become hyperglycemic.

Michele Laine, ARNP, CDE
USF Health Diabetes Home
Tampa FL