In this episode, Jessie and I talk with Alexa Brenner about celiac and how it interacts with type 1 diabetes. Alexa has had T1D for 23 years and celiac for 12. She’s figured out how to take care of herself with both these autoimmune diseases that unfortunately can show up together (around 20% of the time!).
Please excuse the audio crackles when Alexa speaks! We are still working on ensuring great audio quality with our guests.
Meet Alexa Brenner
Dealing with celiac adds another layer on top of dealing with type 1 diabetes, and Alexa’s number one piece of advice for newly diagnosed diabetics (and celiacs) is to go to therapy. Dealing with autoimmune diseases like ours is hard, and we often need help.
“Diabetes isn’t just your physical health, it’s your mental health too. It’s all of it.”
Alexa Brenner
Connect with Alexa on Instagram @alexasbrenner or on Twitter @2alexa_brenner.
Wins & Fails
Colleen’s Win: My A1c as of December 2019 is 5.1%! This is the lowest it’s ever been, and I’m thrilled to have such a good A1c after 24 years with Type 1 Diabetes.
Jessie’s Fail: Jessie’s sensor got disconnected after bumping against a counter, and while her sensor was out of commission, her blood sugar went low.
Tip of the Week
If you’re staying up late, try setting an “up late” basal profile if you’re on a Tandem pump. Basal rates are generally lower overnight, but if you’re awake during that initial period, your blood sugars will likely go up because you’re awake. A separate profile to handle staying up late might help.
Diabetes Spotlight
FDA announced the approval of the Control-IQ Hybrid Closed Loop System from Tandem Diabetes Care.
Control IQ is something we’ve talked about before on this podcast. This is big news for those of us on Tandem pumps. It means we’ll finally have the technology that automates insulin delivery for predicted highs and suspending insulin for predicted lows.
Features of the algorithm include automated insulin correction boluses for high blood sugars in addition to basal rate modulation, a dedicated hypoglycemia safety system (like that of Basal-IQ), and gradually intensified control overnight to reach 110-120 mg/dL by morning. The system is designed to gradually improve time-in-range. No other hybrid closed loop has offered automatic correction boluses or been able to bypass fingerstick calibrations.
Now It's Your Turn...
Do you have Celiac? Are you gluten intolerant? What tips do you have for dealing with either of these? Let us know what works for you.
Mentioned in This Episode
- Alexa on Instagram
- Alexa on Twitter
- Support us on Patreon!
Want to Read or Listen to More? - 25 Truth Bombs to Make You Re-Think Type 1 Diabetes
- The Stress Associated with Type 1 Diabetes
- What is Type 1 Diabetes and Why You Should Care
- What Burnout Looks Like in a Type 1 Diabetic
- World Diabetes Day is About Visibility
- What I’ve Learned from 20 Years at Panther Camp
- 4 Things Type 1 Diabetics Have to Watch Out For
- How to React When Family Members Joke About Diabetes
- This is What a Day as a Type 1 Diabetic Looks Like
Community & Social
- Join us in the Half-Dead Pancreas Club, our private Discord community for people with T1D.
- Follow us on Instagram @thisistype1pod, @jj_crystalkat, & @type1ravenclaw
- Follow us on Facebook
Choose Where to Listen
Credits
Our music is by Joseph McDade. Check out his website here!
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