KNOW THE LANGUAGE & THE LINGO

You’re going to hear “blood sugar” and “blood glucose” or just plain “glucose” used interchangeably. Transported in our blood, glucose comes from the food we eat and it’s our body’s main source of energy.

How much sugar (glucose) is in your blood at any given time. It’s higher after you eat and lower between meals. Measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or if you’re not American, in millimoles per litre (mmol/L). Diabetes management 101 is all about keeping your blood sugar levels in a safe range—not too high and not too low.

“I’m high” means your blood sugar is too high. You can feel thirsty, tired, or pee more than usual. Manage it by checking your blood sugar levels, taking insulin, staying hydrated, and keeping active.

“I’m low” means your blood sugar has dropped too low. You can feel shaky, sweaty, confused, or irritable. Keep fast-acting sugar like juice, glucose tablets, or a small piece of candy handy to quickly get back to a safe range.

The all-important hormone that moves sugar from your blood into your cells to provide energy. Since your body doesn’t make it anymore, you take insulin through shots, a pen, or a pump to keep things in balance. Many types of insulin can be prescribed depending on what you need. How different types work in your body are described as having different “onset” (how fast it acts), “peak time” (when it’s at maximum strength), and “duration” (how long it acts).

A wearable device that delivers your insulin through a tiny tube under your skin either in steady or surge doses. Back in the day, they were bulky but now they’re small and discreet. You can even get tubeless ones that stick on your skin that looks just like a patch.

This is the new standard in diabetes management. It tracks your blood sugar around the clock, giving you real-time data and trends. It helps you spot patterns and make adjustments without constant finger sticks. The learning curve is real. There’s a lot of information to work with but once you’ve figured it out, it’s a game changer.

The ultimate system of combining your pump with a CGM to adjust insulin automatically based on your blood sugar levels. Its advanced technology mimics the way our pancreas naturally works—sensing blood sugar levels and secreting enough insulin accordingly. Don’t be intimidated, this technology can absolutely optimize your diabetes management and make life soooo much easier.

Carbs (carbohydrates) are the nutrients—fiber, starches and sugars—that break down into glucose. Simple carbs (think fruit juice, sweets, honey, white bread) act fast and spike blood sugar. Complex carbs (think beans, fruits, veggies, nuts, whole grains) take longer to break down. Learning how to “count carbs,” measured in grams (g), helps you figure out how much insulin to take with meals. It’s a key skill for managing T1D.

Tip: Eat the same amount of carbs at each meal to help keep your blood sugar levels steady all day

A mealtime or corrective insulin dose to handle a rise in blood sugar. The art of bolusing—knowing exactly when and how much—depends on a lot of factors. Be in touch with your healthcare team regularly to adjust your own bolusing. Lean on support groups to learn from others’ experience.

A dose of insulin taken at a set time before you eat, giving it time to be active and cover the blood sugar rise.

A steady insulin dose your body uses all day and night, like background support.

Here’s the math. The amount of insulin you’ll need to cover the number of carbs you’ll eat or drink. Everyone’s ratio varies. Fine tune it with your healthcare team. If your IRC is 1:15, that means you’ll take 1 unit of insulin for every 15 g of carbs you consume. Now you see why carb counting is important?

Here’s the wild card. You know your IRC but don’t forget to factor in your blood sugar level when you bolus. You’ll need to adjust your ratio if your blood sugar is higher or lower at that moment. Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it.

This is what you’re aiming for. A target range of blood sugar levels to maintain. Your healthcare team will help you set your ideal blood sugar range. Staying within your target helps you feel better day-to-day and prevents long-term complications.

Tip: Staying hydrated, pre-bolusing, activity (like a walk) before meals, will all help to avoid spikes in blood sugar.

The amount of time you spend in a target blood sugar range. This skill takes time to develop. People are at different levels of engagement with their care. Maybe you’re new to this. There will be fluctuations but you want to avoid extremes. If you’re always out of range, look at your behavior patterns, adjust your insulin-to-carb ratio, make sure you’re not dehydrated, and reach out to your healthcare team.

Tip: Best to try to keep glucose under 200 mg/dL.

Pro Tip: Use a CGM, the data can track your time in range.

Your A1C is a blood test that shows your average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months. It’s a key measure of how well your diabetes is managed. The goal varies, but your healthcare team will help you find the right target.

The state of emotional and physical exhaustion from constantly managing diabetes. It’s real. If you feel it, you are not alone. Talk to someone. Your doctor. A friend. A family member. Join a diabetes support group. Lean into Kyler Cares community networks for help and support.

Clinical trials test new treatments, medications, and devices for diabetes. Participating in one means access to cutting edge care, not to mention contributing to science and advancing treatment for everyone living with T1D.

Ketones are chemicals your body makes when it burns fat for energy instead of sugar. If they get too high, it can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Check for ketones if your blood sugar stays high for a while.

This is serious. It’s a condition caused when ketones build up in your blood because your body doesn't have enough insulin so it breaks down fat instead of sugar for energy. Pay attention if you feel nausea, stomach pain, confusion, and fruity-smelling breath. Stay on top of your insulin and hydration to prevent it. Call your doctor or 911 if you suspect DKA.

Your emergency solution for severe low blood sugar. Maybe you took too much insulin, missed a meal, or went too hard at the gym and suddenly you’re feeling weak, tingly, confused. This quickly raises your blood sugar and can be a lifesaver in a pinch. Make sure those around you know how to use it.

Otherwise known as “background insulin” is a slow trickle of long-acting insulin given throughout the day

A fast-acting insulin boost to cover carbs (you can use it as a verb or noun), like “I just bolused for lunch.”

When your blood sugar suddenly drops too low—careful of you can crash after a rage bolus

Your best friend or a buddy who also has diabetes

The anniversary of your diagnosis date

Taking your dose of insulin (no, it’s not the same as what junkies do)

In the early hours of the morning, your body’s hormones may cause an unavoidable rise in blood sugar. It’s nothing you did but best to monitor and correct it before your day begins!

Blanket term for all forms of diabetes mellitus (that’s the medical name)—including type 1 (or T1D) and type 2 (T2D). You might hear folks calling diabetes “Mister D,” “Sir Mellitus,” “Mr. X,” “Hannibal (Lecter)” or “Wizard of Oz”

A diabetes doctor or endocrinologist. They are your go-to specialists who diagnose and treat conditions rooted in the endocrine system (think glands and hormones).

Any food that you can eat without needing insulin (like sugar-free drinks or candy, coffee, tea, a cup of raw veggies, or lean turkey). Joy!

The little vacation you get right after being diagnosed with T1D while your body is still producing insulin so you don’t have to deal yet. It can last anywhere between 6 months to several years.

An extra big bolus taken to lower stubbornly high blood sugar—usually not a good idea

When your blood sugar keeps going high, then low . . . then high again—basically up and down and out of range like a rollercoaster.