Help for the Type I Diabetic

on Dealing with 

Day-to-Day Blood Sugars

I just found this website the other day and thought it would be a good one for all T1Ds to have in their toolbox. I also realize that this website was online in the summer of 2020, but I don’t have a lot of time nowadays to ‘surf the web.’ I do believe that knowledge is power, so any reliable scientific information should be passed on.

Eli Lilly and Company launched a new initiative in 2020 to raise awareness about being prepared for unpredictable conditions. With Know Before the Low, Lilly is encouraging people with diabetes to recognize and share their

signs and symptoms of low blood sugar with their support network, while also being prepared with a rescue plan in case of a very low blood sugar emergency. Singer/songwriter and Lilly Diabetes Ambassador Crystal Bowersox helped to kick off the program by sharing her journey and teaching others about the importance of sharing their rescue plan with their own support network.

“I learned early on that one of the essential elements of managing my diabetes is to always have a plan in place for low blood sugar,” says Bowersox, who has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was six years old. “This means ensuring those around me are ready and able to help in case of a very low blood sugar emergency. As a touring musician, my family or friends may not always be around. Because of this, I’m constantly thinking through different scenarios like teaching my crew what to do, and knowing I have a network of people who are empowered to help me stay safe and healthy in my journey.”

Bowersox said she can usually tell when her sugar is low but she still wears a continuous glucose monitor.

“I don’t want to be naive and think I’m always going to know when it’s going low,” Bowersox said. According to the program’s website, knowbeforethelow.com, here’s what everyone needs to do:

• Be sure those closest to you know how to help you in an emergency.
• During a very low blood sugar emergency, someone will need to administer a prescription rescue treatment and call 911, as symptoms will leave a person impaired or unable to treat themselves.
• Work with your diabetes healthcare team to prepare for low blood sugar and figure out a rescue plan for very low blood sugar emergencies that works for you and your support network.
• People with diabetes rely on their support network and others during a very low blood sugar emergency so it’s important to empower them on how to help when you need it. Consider your lifestyle and routines to determine who may be able to help in the event of an emergency.

Managing diabetes, including low blood sugar events, can trigger people to feel stressed, frustrated or overwhelmed. People with diabetes can share their rescue plan with their support network as one way to feel more confident that they are prepared in the event of a very low blood sugar emergency.

By visiting KnowBeforeTheLow.com, people with diabetes and their support network can access easy-to-understand information about recognizing the signs and symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe low blood sugar, when a very low blood sugar emergency can happen, and how to be prepared with a rescue plan. They will also find a helpful conversation starter and tip list to help navigate conversations with their diabetes healthcare team to create preparedness and rescue plans for these conditions. These resources are designed to help people with diabetes gain the tools to effectively educate their support network about stepping into action during a very low blood sugar emergency.

And, as aways, please call us at Palmetto Endocrinology if you want more information or to make an appointment.

Author

Joseph Mathews, MD, FACP, FACE, ECNU, CCD Joseph W. Mathews M.D., a board certified Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Palmetto Endocrinology, was born and raised in South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston, Cum Laude. He then achieved his M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Mathews is also a Fellow of both the American College of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians, holds an Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) and is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). He has extensive experience performing ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsies. His practice includes a range of specializations including prescribing and fitting patients with insulin pumps. Dr. Mathews' practice has drawn patients from out of state to benefit from his expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes, cortisol problems and their Endocrine disorders.