The Insulin Pumpers mailing list that took shape this year is certainly highly specialized. But for those people with diabetes who are looking for the tightest possible control, if offers knowledgeable advice from pumpers and their parents. That candy meant more to him than anyone could imagine.

For Rose Lulla, the mailing list encouraged her to find an endocrinologist who would put her 10-year-old son Ravi on a pump. “Doctors here in Omaha, Nebraska, don’t have much interest in putting kids younger than 12 or 13 on the pump,” she tells me.

Ravi had got his diagnosis on his seventh birthday. In October his mother and he joined the Insulin Pumpers mailing list, and about two weeks later he began to use a pump.

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An article appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics that caught our eye. It shined a spotlight on a recent ketoacidosis study and diabetes testing supplies. We found it interesting for several reasons, the subject matter being one of them.

The ketoacidosis study focused on youth that were diagnosed with diabetes and how important early detection can be in regards to overall health outcomes. What the study’s team found was that many people are not familiar with the condition or the diabetes testing supplies that may be used to help detect it before the person’s health deteriorates.

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Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) with home blood glucose monitors is essential. The blood glucose (BG) results are used to assess the efficacy of therapy, and to provide data by which to make management decisions. Typically, patients who use insulin should be SMBG at least 3-4 times per day. Some type 1’s check as much as 6-8 times per day.† Individuals with type 2 diabetes should SMBG, but if well controlled they may need somewhat less frequent checks. Patients on diet therapy without medications may only need to check BG a few times per week. Type 2’s using oral agents should check at least 1-2 times daily, and vary the times.

When BG control is sub-optimal, frequency of monitoring should be increased to provide data for therapy changes. To assure proper technique, patients should receive training on meter use.

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In order to get the most accurate readings from your monitor, you should make sure that you use control solution. Its purpose is to make sure that your meter is working properly and calibrated correctly. By not using control solution you run the risk of getting blood sugar readings that are not right. If you give yourself insulin based on a test result that is not precise, you could very well end up higher or lower than your target range. By using control solution frequently you greatly decrease the potential for unnecessary blood sugar fluctuations.

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According to the American Diabetes Association the total prevalence of diabetes is as follows:
Total: 25.8 million children and adults in the United States—8.3% of the population—have diabetes.
Diagnosed: 18.8 million people
Undiagnosed: 7.0 million people
Prediabetes: 79 million people
New Cases: 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older.

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