News

,

Medtronic’s Guardian Connect CGM Receives FDA Approval

,
Medtronic.png

We have big news to share from Medtronic – their long-awaited standalone CGM has received FDA approval. Medtronic’s Guardian Connect is comprised of three parts: a thin sensor, a small plastic transmitter attached to the sensor, and the Guardian Connect app on a compatible iOS device. It transmits directly to the iPhone without using another receiver.

The Guardian Connect system is designed to help people, ages 14 to 75, who are using multiple daily injections (MDIs). Although it does not work directly with insulin pumps, Medtronic’s standalone CGM will be the only one on the market to give alerts for potential high or low glucose events up to 60 minutes in advance. The Guardian Connect system is expected to become available by July 2018, and as early as May 2018.

Benefits of the Guardian Connect system include:

  • Customized 1 hour predictive alerts – from 10 minutes up to 1 hour ahead gives you time to respond
  • Free 24-hour SMS alerts (and for up to 5 care people)
  • Easy-to-share blood glucose readings 
  • Reduced risks of hypoglycemia and more time “in-range”
  • Sleek design – marketed for an active lifestyle, half the weight of other real-time CGM systems on the market
  • Waterproof – can be submerged for up to 2.4 meters (7.5 feet) for 10-minute periods
  • Access to the Sugar.IQ system – smart diabetes assistant that looks at what affects BGLs
  • Rechargeable, re-useable, long-life technology

This news is exciting, because it means expanded options for people with diabetes when it comes to CGM.

We're here to help!

,

2018 ADA Standards of Care Bring New Recommendations for Cardiovascular Disease & Diabetes

,

The American Diabetes Association has released new 2018 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes. These comprehensive recommendations include the latest advances in evidence-based care, with a new focus on advanced management for people with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The Standards of Care outline the ADA’s latest recommendations “for the diagnosis and treatment of children and adults with type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes, strategies to improve the prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes, and therapeutic approaches that reduce complications and positively affect health outcomes.”

Important changes and updates in the 2018 edition include these topics and more:

  • Cardiovascular disease and diabetes
  • Screening youth for type 2 diabetes
  • Health technology and diabetes management
  • A1C test considerations
  • Diabetes management in specific groups

Read the ADA’s press release for more details!

We love to help!

,

What We're Reading: Fitbit Going All In on Diabetes, Roping in Insurers

,
many fitbits.jpg

Have you checked out Diabetes Mine? This blog helps me keep current on happenings in the diabetes world, especially around new technology for people living with diabetes. This particular article is worth checking out: Fitbit Going All In on Diabetes, Roping in Insurers. It walks us through the many investments that Fitbit is making, as well as the partnerships the company is forming, to build a stronger foundation of support for the diabetes community.

According to the Diabetes Mine blog, Fitbit has been:

The article includes more details on each of these bullets, explaining that another interesting step that Fitbit has taken is their investment in Sano Intelligence, a company that is developing "minimally invasive" CGM technology. All of this is great news for people with diabetes, and those who support and serve them. We are excited to see how all of this will unfold!

We love to help!

,

OmniPod and Abbott FreeStyle Libre Approved for Coverage by Medicare

,
The Abbott Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

The Abbott Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system.

Great news was announced earlier this month to start the New Year off strong for the diabetes community! Medicare is allowing coverage of the Omnipod tubeless insulin pump and the new FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system. And as Diabetes Mine notes, "since CMS typically sets the stage for what private insurers will cover, this is a big win for PWDs (people with diabetes) of all ages!"

We love to help!

,

2017 Diabetes Technology Round-Up

,

This year has brought many positive developments and advancements in diabetes technology. Some of these include:

We are looking forward to bringing these technologies and soon-to-be-released offerings to our customers...to help them thrive while living with diabetes in 2018!

,

Exciting Diabetes Technology Is Emerging for 2018

,
dexcom G6.png

We are hearing really great news about new diabetes technology becoming available in 2018. This September, Dexcom submitted its G6 continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor for approval with the FDA, and a U.S. launch is expected sometime in 2018. This sensor will most likely allow for longer wear and will require only one fingerstick calibration per day. It also features a thinner transmitter and a redesigned one-button inserter. Dexcom is also suggesting that a no-calibration-needed version of the G6 could be available by the end of 2018. Learn more about the updated sensor at both of these links:

We’re excited about this and other near-future technological advancements in diabetes tech – including the flash glucose monitoring system from Abbot, the possible launch of a Medtronic standalone CGM, and much more. More options give providers and patients more choices for managing diabetes – and that is something we’re all excited about!

We love to help!

,

Dexcom CGM to Be Compatible with the Fitbit Ionic Starting Next Year

,
Fitbit Ionic

Fitbit Ionic

In September, Fitbit announced a collaboration with Dexcom to create and offer products to help people living with diabetes better manage their disease. The first product integration, coming in 2018, centers around the Fitbit Ionic Smartwatch, which will display data from the Dexcom G5 mobile sensor.

The Dexcom G5 is currently supported by the Apple iPhone (and subsequently through the Apple watch). Ever-growing innovation like the Fitbit Ionic/Dexcom integration will be helpful and encouraging to those living with diabetes, adding more convenience, better monitoring, and expanding options.

, ,

Kicking Off the Party at Little Caesars Arena & Mike’s Pizza Bar

, ,
IMG_5955.JPG

Mike’s Pizza Bar is truly a tribute to Mike Ilitch. Healthy Living had a teambuilding event at Little Caesars Arena in late September that began with dinner at Mike’s Pizza. Mr. Ilitch’s favorite phrases and mottos line the top borders of the walls, like “You’re Only as Good as the Last Pizza You Made.” There are also pictures of him playing during his baseball career.

After dinner and listening to a relevant speaker, we entered the arena right from Mike’s Pizza, and about 25 of us watched the pre-season game against Chicago. The new space is beautiful, and it was awesome to see it right after it opened! Find a way to check out the new arena, whether it's to see the Red Wings, Pistons, or another event. It’s interesting to see how different it feels from the Joe! Detroit’s season home opener was October 5 against Minnesota, so the regular season is now in full swing. Go Wings!

FullSizeRender.jpg
,

Animas Pump Line Shuts Down with Transition Plan in Place

,

On October 5, Animas Corporation announced that it is discontinuing manufacturing and sale of Animas Vibe® and One Touch Ping® insulin pumps. Medtronic will assist existing Animas pump patients, caregivers, and providers with the transition, including ensuring access to proper supplies. We know this news may be unsettling to our Animas customers, however, from what we understand, you will still be able to access pump supplies and support for quite some time. Learn more about the transition by visiting www.medtronicdiabetes.com/Animas. For the ‘Nuts & Bolts’ of the change, read Mike Hoskins’ article on Diabetes Mine.

You are welcome to call our Insulin Pump Therapy Team to learn more as well. Healthy Living works with Medtronic, Omnipod, and Tandem – all manufacturers of excellent insulin pumps – and our Team is well-versed in all of their product lines. We are in network with all major insurances in Michigan, including Health Alliance Plan of Michigan, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Priority Health, state Medicaid, and Medicare for insulin pumps and pump supplies. You can reach us at 866.779.8512, Option 2 (phone) or 248.577.9903 (text).

,

Fingerstick-Free FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System Has Been FDA Approved

,

The FDA has approved Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System for adults, a glucose monitoring system that does not require a blood sample for calibration. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems require a finger stick for calibration approximately 2-4 times a day. The FDA Press Release describes how this flash glucose monitoring system works:

The FreeStyle Libre Flash system reduces the need for fingerstick testing by using a small sensor wire inserted below the skin’s surface that continuously measures and monitors glucose levels. Users can determine glucose levels by waving a dedicated, mobile reader above the sensor wire to determine if glucose levels are too high (hyperglycemia) or too low (hypoglycemia), and how glucose levels are changing.

This new system could be a game changer for people with diabetes, reducing the cost of supplies and the discomfort of performing daily finger sticks, and creating the need for less site changes since the sensor can be used for 10 days. The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System should be available by the end of the year. We’re here to answer any questions you may have at 866.779.8512 (phone) or 248.577.9903 (text).

,

Medtronic Infusion Set Voluntary Recall

,

Medtronic recently announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of MiniMed infusion sets used with their insulin pumps, due to potential over-delivery of insulin after an infusion set change. According to Medtronic, this can be caused by fluid blocking the infusion set membrane during the priming/fill-tubing process.

Visit this Medtronic page to download Medtronic’s Notification Letter and learn how to determine if you have recalled infusion sets. If you do have recalled infusion sets right now, Medtronic provides Key Steps to follow. You can also reach Medtronic to ask questions about the recall at 888.204.7616.

The infusion sets currently being shipped by Medtronic contain a new, enhanced membrane material that significantly reduces the risk being addressed by this recall.

Our Insulin Pump Therapy Team can also help if you need additional assistance – just call us at 866.779.8512 (Option 2).

,

Tandem t:slim X2 & Dexcom G5 CGM Have Teamed Up!

,
Playing in the backyard (thinkstock.com)

Playing in the backyard (thinkstock.com)

A new insulin pump & CGM duo has been FDA approved. The t:slim X2 Insulin Pump is now compatible with the Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM! Tandem is currently sending software updates to existing t:slim X2 Pump users who want to add the CGM feature from home using their personal computer.

We are ready to take questions about this update and process any orders. Call us at 866.779.8512 (Option 2) to reach our Insulin Pump Therapy Team for knowledgeable service.

,

New Research: Lack of Sleep Tied to Higher Risk of Diabetes in Kids

,
child-166062_1920.jpg

A recent UK study suggests that children who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than kids who typically sleep longer. Each additional hour of sleep children get at night is associated with lower body weight, more lean muscle mass, and less accumulation of sugars in the blood. Since obesity and high blood sugars are contributing factors to developing type 2 diabetes, you can see the possible correlation.

This study, based on 4,525 children ages 9 or 10, found that kids who slept less were more likely to be extremely overweight or obese and have more body fat. Children who got less sleep on average per night were also more likely to have a risk factor called insulin resistance, where their bodies don’t respond normally to insulin. An additional factor, insufficient sleep also affects the level of hormones that control appetite, making kids hungrier and increasing cravings for sweet and salty snacks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children ages 6 to 12 should get 9 to 12 hours of sleep each night. “Getting enough sleep helps keep our appetite in check and is protective against insulin resistance,” said James Gangwisch, a psychiatry researcher at Columbia University who wasn’t involved in the study.

Read the entire Reuters article.

, ,

MIT Researchers Developing Color-Changing Tattoo Inks that Could Help Track Health

, ,
Flickr, Rebecca Brown

Flickr, Rebecca Brown

In the project called DermalAbyss, the “body surface is rendered an interactive display.” In collaboration, MIT and Harvard Medical School researchers are creating tattoo ink that has biosensors to respond to changes in the body, such as blood sugar, pH, and sodium levels. The ink color shifts in response to changes in interstitial fluid.

This work could be of special interest to people with diabetes. The sensor ink changes from blue to brown as blood sugar rises, and researchers hope that one day users will be able to monitor their glucose levels and need of insulin through their own tattoo color changes.

DermalAbyss “blends advances in biotechnology with traditional methods in tattoo artistry” and is currently in the proof-of-concept change. The next challenge for the researchers will be to test the biosensor liquid in animals for adverse reactions and possible allergies. And of course the biggest goal is to make the tattoo indicators as accurate as possible, as reliable as a blood glucose test.

Sources for article information and more images can be found at:

, ,

Beacon Park Kicks Off Vibrant New Detroit Space

, ,
Beacon Park seating & gardens (Photo by Emily Lewis)

Beacon Park seating & gardens (Photo by Emily Lewis)

I just had a lovely visit to Beacon Park, located at the corner of Grand River and Cass Ave. Just a couple of weekends ago, the Park had opening festivities including concerts by Robert Randolph & the Family Band and Lord Huron, a movie screening, a Detroit makers market, food trucks, and a gospel brunch.

When I went to Beacon Park today at lunchtime, there were two food trucks (Bombay Indian and Chicken & Waffles), many people enjoying the day, beautiful gardens, live music, and kids and adults dancing in the center green! It was a happy place to be!

The park is 1.5 acres and is setting up to be like a second Campus Martius. Lumen, the park’s in-process restaurant (to have a green roof and rooftop seating) hasn’t opened yet but looks like it’s going to be vibrant and exciting! It’s scheduled to open in Spring of ’18. Beacon Park also has huge seesaws set up – I have to try them! 

View of Beacon Park Green and Lumen (Photo by Emily Lewis)

View of Beacon Park Green and Lumen (Photo by Emily Lewis)

The park was financed by DTE Energy, and the DTE Foundation is funding the programming for more than 600 events planned at the park through the end of this year. Watch for more about Beacon Park and visit this awesome new space! Find out more about what’s going on at the Beacon Park Facebook page.

, ,

Highlighting the Revolutionary Medtronic 670G – Features & Reviews

, ,
Medtronic MiniMed 670G (Photo by Steve Wood)

Medtronic MiniMed 670G (Photo by Steve Wood)

The Medtronic MiniMed® 670G System is the world’s first hybrid closed loop insulin pump system, sometimes referred to as an artificial pancreas. The system constantly self-adjusts to automatically keep your sugar levels in range, based on how you live your everyday life. This FDA-approved system is specialized for type 1 diabetes patients, ages 14 and over, and requires a prescription.  The Medtronic MiniMed® 670G System is now shipping.

3 New Features that Set the 670G Apart from Earlier Insulin Pumps:

1.     Manual Mode – Suspend-before-low option helps you avoid lows and rebound highs proactively by automatically stopping insulin 30 minutes before you reach pre-selected low limits, then automatically restarting insulin when your levels recover (without alerts).

2.     Auto Mode – Automatically adjusts basal insulin delivery up and down every 4 minutes, based on your sugar levels, to keep you in target range, all day and night. The system can temporarily change your glucose target during athletic activity to help maintain a safe range.

3.     Guardian sensor 3 continuous glucose monitoring sensor – Offers seven-day wear and easy insertion, and is the first and only CGM sensor that is FDA-approved and trusted to control insulin dosing.

Other Medtronic MiniMed® 670G System Highlights:

  • Glucose levels are automatically kept within range all night long for a restful, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
  • The system is waterproof, with a bright color screen.
  • At meals and snacks, only check your glucose and enter the number of carbs when you administer a bolus. The 670G system will do the math to regulate your insulin and keep glucose levels in range without any necessary insulin injections.

Speaking from Experience

Jason Gensler is a person with type 1 diabetes and the founder of the Foundation for Type One Diabetes. Jason has been wearing the Medtronic 670G for the last 2 years or so and can share these insights (in his words):

  • "I am experiencing very impressive results, yet I’m only testing 4-5 times per day and calibrating three times."
  • "I’d say the best aspect is that the system itself is so intuitive and user-friendly. It’s always one step ahead, and the sensor is incredibly accurate."
  • "It’s a relief! The day that it sinks in, when you realize that you’ve relinquished a majority of the control to the pump, is the day you begin to experience the freedom that so many of us haven’t had since the day we were diagnosed."
  • "Living with T1D is hard, and staying positive can be even harder, but I’d like to remind everyone to appreciate just how far our industry has come. The technology that has been developed in the last few years is unbelievable! Let’s all be grateful that we live in a time where technology can help us lead normal lives, and that we can’t have unrealistic expectations and find a cure yesterday."

Sources for Jason Gensler quotes:

https://asweetlife.org/what-its-like-to-use-the-medtronic-670g/

http://jasongensler670gexperience.com/

Learn more about the 670G directly from the Medtronic website. 

, ,

Getting Involved with Detroit Urban Farming is Easier than You May Think

, ,
Earthworks Urban Farm (Flickr, detroitspun)

Earthworks Urban Farm (Flickr, detroitspun)

Indisputably, one of the most exciting things happening in Detroit right now is the growth and community-building impact of urban farming, with nearly 1,500 gardens and farms across the City. This movement is helping to create a food system where all communities have access to fresh, healthy food.

Many people are really enthusiastic and encouraged by the work that is happening in the Detroit urban farming community and want to learn more but don’t know where to look. Whether you live in Detroit or not, here are 3 Awesome Ways to Get Involved:

  1. Participate in the 20th Annual Tour of Detroit Urban Gardens and Farms, hosted by Keep Growing Detroit. This year’s event takes place on August 2. Look at the variety of bus and bike tours that are offered to different areas of the City and sign up here.
  2. Volunteer at a farm that welcomes short-term helpers like Earthworks Urban Farm, Plum Street Market Garden, or Michigan Urban Farming Initiative. These gardens have scheduled volunteer hours each week when you can drop in and work.
  3. Sign up for Grown in Detroit CSA Shares. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) supports local farmers when you buy a share for as little as a month at a time, with pick-up once a week at the Plum Street Garden Market. Growers receive 100% of the profits from the produce sold.

Get your hands dirty with Detroit urban farming!

,

Review: Why Perfectly Healthy People Are Using Diabetes Monitors

,
Fresh abundance, image from Thinkstock.

Fresh abundance, image from Thinkstock.

We found this article in Time magazine about how continuous glucose monitors are beginning to be used by people who are not living with diabetes. This may sound surprising, but it also makes some sense.

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a federally approved medical device that tracks blood sugar levels for people with diabetes. The CGM patch has a small needle that probes the inside of a person’s arm or other area of the body, and a sensor that tracks changes to blood sugar in real-time. The data is then sent to the wearer’s smartphone or another device.

Here is a summary of the article:

  • In the “quantified-self” movement, some people say it makes sense to track their blood sugar and learn a lot about nutrition and exercise, especially given all the recent attention to the risks (like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity) associated with over-consumption of sugar and processed carbohydrates.
  • Tabb Firchau, an entrepreneur from Seattle, had been wearing a CGM for about a month at the time of the article to track (and then adjust) what was happening in his body. He said, “I’ve been trying to learn why some days I feel fantastic, and other days I don’t. I had a cinnamon roll recently and my blood glucose doubled in 60 minutes. The monitor helps you understand the costs of the decisions you are making.”
  • To obtain a CGM, people without diabetes must either convince a doctor to prescribe one or purchase them online on sites like eBay. Even if a doctor prescribes one, it’s highly unlikely insurance would cover the system for someone without diabetes. It’s estimated that CGMs cost $5–10 per day, or around $3,000 a year for replacement parts.
  • Some people believe, “There’s a need for some analytics that could process the data appropriately and provide [actionable] information to people versus a datastream every five minutes.”
  • CGM users are making their own great observations. Exercise is known to be helpful for blood sugar regulation and Damiano, a doctor who uses CGM personally, says he notices “profound” drops in his blood sugar while on walks in the woods. “If you have a meal and blood sugar rises, take a walk, it’s like magic,” he says. “It can reinforce people to think about exercise after meals.”
  • The company Sano Intelligence is planning to release a continuous glucose monitor to the general public sometime soon.

Continuous glucose monitoring could be an incredible, motivating tool to help any person make better decisions about what they eat and drink. Check out the article!

, ,

Apple Watch’s Non-Invasive Glucose Tracker: Said to Become the “Holy Grail” in Diabetes

, ,
Apple Watch, image from pexels.com.

Apple Watch, image from pexels.com.

From Hints to a Peek at an Apple Watch CGM

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, told students at the University of Glasgow in February that he had been wearing a glucose tracker, and that it helped him understand the impact of different foods on his blood sugar levels. Fast-forward to April. News surfaced that Apple was developing a solution, integrated with its Apple Watch, to diagnose and manage diabetes, with a non-invasive sensor that continuously measures blood glucose levels. One month later – May. Tim Cook was spotted wearing a prototype glucose tracker that pairs with the Apple Watch around Apple’s campus.

For over five years, Apple has had a team of biomechanical engineers working on developing a continuous blood glucose sensor to pair with their Apple Watch that does not break the skin. Their Palo Alto-based research team has already begun feasibility tests with the tracker they have engineered to date. Apple calls their challenging intention of creating this technology the “holy grail” in diabetes.

"It's mentally anguishing to stick yourself many times a day to check your blood sugar," Tim Cook said, according to CNBC. "There is lots of hope out there that if someone has constant knowledge of what they're eating, they can instantly know what causes the response... and that they can adjust well before they become diabetic."

Speculation about the Tracker’s Functionality & Watch Integration

Based on the description from CNBC, it sounds like the tracker Cook is wearing is a separate, independent unit that communicates to the Apple Watch over Bluetooth, as opposed to a feature integrated inside the Watch itself. Some are hypothesizing that Apple will sell the glucose tracker as an additional accessory. This could be especially helpful since the blood monitoring feature requires approval and regulation of the FDA. If Apple sells the tracker as a separate accessory, they will be able to avoid adding regulatory procedures to the production of the entire Apple Watch.

One report indicated that Apple would manufacture smart bands that expand the Watch with additional functions, meaning the glucose monitor could become a part of one of those separate smart bands, which would communicate with the core Apple hardware.  

The Apple Watch & Health Monitoring

If Apple can successfully create this next-generation glucose monitor, it will transform the Apple Watch from a wearable accessory to a revolutionary health device, beyond heart rate and activity tracking. Tim Cook recently told a group: "This is an area where I'm very excited about Apple's contribution. Very excited."

Upcoming Dexcom Integration

Dexcom is an existing, trusted leader in continuous glucose monitoring technology. Apple announced at their recent WWDC (World Wide Developer Conference) that they were releasing a Bluetooth API for their Apple Watch that would allow it to pair directly with health sensors such at Dexom CGM.

Article References

https://www.theverge.com/2017/5/19/15662316/apple-watch-glucose-tracker-tim-cook

https://9to5mac.com/2017/05/18/report-tim-cook-testing-wearable-blood-sugar-tracker-on-apples-campus-connected-to-apple-watch/

http://mashable.com/2017/05/19/tim-cook-glucose-apple-watch/#HpD71gq60OqA

http://www.macworld.com/article/3197691/wearables/tim-cook-is-testing-a-new-apple-watch-device-that-monitors-his-blood-sugar-monitor.html

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/05/dexcom-stock-spikes-on-apple-watch-deal.html

,

Dexcom G5 CGM Now Compatible with Android Devices

,

We know that many of our customers have been waiting for this news! The Dexcom G5 Mobile CGM System has become the first and only CGM platform available for Android in the United States, complementing the 2015 iOS launch. Beginning this month, Android users will have access to the free app for the Dexcom G5 Mobile Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, allowing people with diabetes to view and monitor their glucose levels on their mobile devices to manage their diabetes in real time.

The Dexcom G5 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System provides real-time glucose readings for patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes every five minutes. With Dexcom G5 Mobile, dynamic glucose data can be accessed and shared safely, conveniently, and discreetly anywhere, anytime to your smart device.The Dexcom G5 Mobile is the only CGM system approved for adults and pediatric patients two years of age and older. Many individuals living with diabetes appreciate the Dexcom CGM for better insights and more effective diabetes management than traditional blood glucose testing can offer. Check out Dexcom's press release for more details!

Our Healthy Living Insulin Pump & CGM Therapy Team will be available to answer any questions and help you start the process of obtaining a Dexcom CGM system, beginning with verifying your insurance and navigating other qualifications. We are so excited about this awesome new option for our customers and we can't wait to help you learn more. You can reach us at 866.779.8512 (Option 2).