Editor

If you are one of the many Americans faced with having to use diabetes lancets, you may be excited to learn that there could very well be alternatives available in the near future. Word of the potential alternative was released during the last World Diabetes Congress. Here’s a look at what the advancement is and how it may change diabetics’ lives:

The company making the announcement was Abbott Diabetes Care. The potential advancement is being touted as an ambulatory glucose profile device. It is currently undergoing a clinical trial period. So it is likely to remain unavailable until sometime in the future. Nonetheless, the results thus far have been encouraging.

Unlike diabetes lancets, this device gets surgically implanted underneath of the skin much like a microchip. Once it’s in place, the technology involved uses the wearer’s interstitial fluid to generate readings. The readings remain inside of the device and can only be accessed through the use of a scanner. The scanner, in turn, enters the data into a multifunctional computer program that may be accessed by the wearer and his or her healthcare team.

Although all of that sounds great, as of yet, the new system is not fool-proof. For example, it has to be used with the scanner and can only remain under the skin for two weeks. In addition, it is not capable of being used with programmable alarm systems at this time. However, it is hoped that once perfected, this new technology will virtually eliminate the need for traditional diabetes lancets.

In the meantime, if you are experiencing unbearable pain with your existing diabetes lancing device, you may want to talk to you healthcare professional about switching to a different model. There are various diabetes lancets on the market today that are designed for people with pain sensitivities. To learn more about them and advances in diabetes lancing devices, please contact us toll-free at (866) 422-4866.

Why Use Control Solution?

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.

When to use Control Solution

Although it is recommended to use control solution weekly, there other times it is a good idea to use it.

• When test results do not match how you feel
• When the meter is new
• When your meter has been dropped or potentially damaged
• When test strips have been exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity
• When multiple tests in a row do not match
• When your meter has been cleaned or repaired
• When your health care specialist recommends a glucose meter calibration
• When using new test strips
• When test strips have been exposed to air for prolonged periods of time

Tips for using Control Solution

Control Solutions are made differently by each company and only work with meters of the same brand. Make sure that the control solution you are using matches the manufacturer of you glucose meter and your test strips. It is also good to remember that each separate bottle has its own shelf life or "use by" date, and that the solution will not perform as desired after that period of time.

By using control solution you can ensure more accurate blood sugar readings and better manage your diabetes. If you have any questions regarding control solution or diabetes supplies, please contact us.

Do you have a history of type 1 diabetes in your family? Are you currently expecting a baby as well? If so, you may want to take a look at the last few issues of the Journal of the American Medical Association’s respected periodical, JAMA Pediatrics.

In recent months, they have published studies that focus on infants’ diets, breast feeding, heredity and the development of type 1 diabetes. One of the studies took a look at whether or not there is a correlation between the introduction of solid foods and diabetes. The other study shined a light on how an infant’s diet can impact its cognition later in life.

According to the first study, infants that were fed a diet of formula, fruit, rice and oats in the first 4 months of life were more apt to develop the disease than others. It also indicated that pairing breast milk with the foods may also help stave off the disease as time goes on.

The second study indicated that infants who were fed breast milk for the first year of life had a better chance of achieving higher cognitive levels during their formative years. This appeared to especially be the case if the mother ate fish on a weekly basis.

Thus, you may want to consider talking to your child’s pediatrician about when to start introducing various solid foods and engaging in type 1 diabetes testing. It would also undoubtedly be wise to discuss your post-pregnancy diet with your OBGYN and lactation consultant. He or she may be able to make dietary recommendations based on your family’s medical history and any genetic markers that may be present in your infant son or daughter.

When it comes to controlling diabetes over the holidays, there is one product that diabetics may find extremely valuable. It’s called the OneTouch® Ultra2 Meter. Here’s a brief rundown of what it does and why it’s the ideal companion for those that want to celebrate the holidays without worry:

The OneTouch® Ultra2 Meter is part of a broader system. The larger system is designed to help diabetics understand their bodies’ reaction to foods thereby allowing better control of one’s health. It comes with a glucose meter, carrying case, lancing device, an informative booklet and an educational DVD. A sterile lancet is also included. Extra test strips, control solutions and clear caps are not included and may be purchased separately.

The glucose meter’s features are what make it perfect for use during the holiday season. To begin with, it allows users to test, flag meals and enter personal comments before and after eating. That type of information can be helpful when it comes time to communicate with one’s doctor, plan holiday meals or decide what to eat during a special event.

In addition, the glucose meter automatically creates a record of the user’s testing dates, times and results. They can be helpful during the previously mentioned tasks as well. For example, let’s say that a male user is on a holiday vacation and tests his blood sugar before eating a turkey sandwich late in the evening. He could retest after the meal and gain a better understanding of how turkey sandwiches impact his blood sugar levels.

Later, he could download a record of his readings and forward them to his doctor or enter them into a diabetes management app for his personal use. Afterward, his doctor could contact him and suggest which changes may need to be made during the remainder of his holiday vacation.

Blood glucose monitors are finally getting the the technological advancement that they have been waiting for. With an estimated 26 million diabetics in just the United States alone (and perhaps over a hundred million worldwide), monitoring glucose levels through a modern tech-convenience, instead of tracking data through handwritten booklets or uploading manually to a computer, has needed to take a turn to the positive for a long time.

Which is why recent news that the FDA has approved the use of a Bluetooth-enabled blood glucose monitor through iHealth Lab is just what the doctor ordered.

The device will sync to the patients Android or iOS device through a cloud-enabled system and will give them the ability to track measurements and send the data to their doctor or healthcare provider as needed.

"It's really hard to make products that are serious in nature yet approachable, with an intimate attachment," says Adam Lin, president of iHealth Lab. Going on to say that during testing, many patients reactions were unexpected and a pleasant surprise to the Mountain View, California company

"some of the reactions we got from some patients [were], 'Yeah, I love this thing,' and it's hard to get that with a medical device. How do you love your glucose monitor?"

The small, slick device that is sure to change the way diabetics test and store their data, runs about $80 and is available on iHealth Lab's website as well as at Best Buy. It comes with 50 test strips and requires little set up. Just plug it in, download the companion application (iHealth Gluco-Smart App) and the new device is up and running in minutes. It also comes with a carrying case with multiple compartments for easy storage and easy convenience.

On Monday, October 21, 2013, the National Institutes of Health made an announcement that diabetes sufferers may find interesting. Based on their declaration, it appears that the institute is prepared to fund a nationwide, diabetes related, clinical trial of epic proportions. As it stands now, the researchers are hoping to include adults age 30 or older in the upcoming clinical trials.

The study is being undertaken to determine what impact, if any, vitamin D will have on the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. It isn’t the first time that healthcare professionals have considered vitamin D’s role in diabetes prevention. What exactly did those earlier studies reveal? Essentially, they indicated that the vitamin may be capable of influencing a person’s insulin resistance level. Insulin resistance levels, as you may already know, are indicators of a person’s type 2 diabetes risk.

However, those former studies were not generally conducted on such a large scale. So researchers are hopeful that this latest go round will either bolster or put to rest previous assumptions about the vitamin’s impact on the disease. The vitamin’s overall health benefits, on the other hand, are not presently in dispute. It has long been generally accepted that it has the ability to aid in key functions related to musculoskeletal health.

Thus, depending on what the new clinical trials reveal, vitamin D may soon be paired with diabetes testing supplies as part of a one-two punch approach to eradicating the disease. The study is expected to play out over the course of several years. As such, diabetes patients and their healthcare providers should not expect to hear of any results for a while. Those that would like to follow the researchers’ progress or participate in the study may want to periodically visit the government based website dedicated to the clinical trial.

To learn more about diabetes testing supplies and education, please contact us toll-free or online. Our phone number is (866) 422-4866.

If you have diabetes, it is important to manage your diabetes through diet, regular blood glucose monitoring and other interventions as directed by your health care professional. If you do check your blood sugar on a regular basis, it is also important to keep your glucose meter in good working order and that you know how to use the control solution for regular glucose meter checks. Failure to perform these checks can result in inaccurate readings and, depending on your medication regimen or instructions for taking insulin, potential episodes of insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

The benefit of regular glucose meter checks is that the control solution contains a known amount of glucose, so the result you get from testing the solution will tell you if the glucose meter and test strips are giving accurate results. Performing these checks is recommended every time you start a new box of test strips, when you change the batteries in your glucose meter and also when you start using a new glucose meter. Other times when you might consider performing a glucose meter check are when the test results do not match how you feel (for example, if you are experiencing symptoms of hyperglycemia but the test results say that your blood sugar is within normal limits) and when the test strips have not been stored properly, resulting in exposure to air or humidity.

To perform the control test, you will need to have the control solution for your glucose meter on hand as well as one or two extra test strips for this purpose. Always store your control solution at room temperature; do not keep it in a refrigerator or freezer. Begin the control test by shaking the bottle so that the contents are evenly distributed. Next, turn on your glucose meter (if you haven’t already) and insert a test strip as if you are about to check your blood sugar. However, instead of sticking yourself, simply place a drop of the control solution onto the test strip and wait the usual length of time for the meter to analyze the “sample.” If the result matches what you know to be the amount of glucose in the solution, you can rest assured that your meter and test strips are in good working order and giving you reliable results. If not, you will need to investigate the cause(s) of the incorrect result. Consider changing the batteries in the meter and replacing the test strips first; if these changes do not result in an accurate reading with the control solution, it may be time to replace the glucose meter.

Performing regular blood sugar checks and getting accurate results are key to managing your diabetes and avoiding complications such as neuropathy (nerve pain in the lower extremities) and capillary damage which can lead to retinopathy, foot ulcers and lower extremity amputations. Knowing your test results from day to day will make it easier for you to keep your blood sugar within normal limits and to take action when needed to get it under control.

For those who have diabetes, lancets are a way of life. Individuals who may be shy about drawing blood initially eventually realize the process is life saving and learn to complete the process alone. When a lancet or lancing device is cared for properly, there is very little that can go wrong.

The Difference Between a Lancet and a Lancing Device

A lancet is for one time use. If a single lancet is used repeatedly, the needle will become dull and will hurt. A lancing device includes a lancet which needs to be changed daily, but does not need to be changed after every use. Diabetics who test more than once a day prefer lancing devices.

General Care of a Lancet or Lancing Device

New diabetics may not understand how to care for a lancet or lancing device. If a lancet is used, it needs to be disposed of correctly to avoid harm to others. Diabetics need to speak with their doctors and pharmacists to learn about lancet disposal in their specific areas.

The lancing device can be cleaned with a cloth and light water to the surface of the device. Most devices come with an eject button for the needle, which needs to be disposed of in the same manner of the lancet. The equipment is rather simple and does not require a great deal of care. A pharmacist can help a user reload the lancing device with new needles when necessary.

Keep the needle clean at all times. Do not open a new lancet until it is time to use it and keep the lancing device in a clean, sanitary container. It is important to avoid infections from a dirty lancet.

Troubleshooting the Lancing Device

Lancing devices rarely have troubles, but if they do, it helps to know how to fix the issue. Make sure the lancing device has not already been triggered. If it has, you will need to attempt to eject the needle and start over. In rare cases, the needle will get stuck inside the lancing device. As there are different lancing manufacturers, the specific manufacturer will need to be contacted for help with this issue. Never try to reach into a lancing device with your finger or any other instrument - avoid injuring yourself.

For years, people have been searching for solutions to the world’s type 1 diabetes problem. It has lead to all sorts of conjecture as to which combination of actions can prevent, slow down or stop the disease from impacting individual’s lives. The most recent combination to be discussed is type 1 diabetes testing and gluten free diets.

Two articles appeared on the topic in January 2014. Both were based on recent research results and published in prestigious medical journals. One of the articles can be found in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology. The other was published by Renal and Urology News. Together, they indicate that inflammation, including that due to gluten intolerance, may spur the disease’s progression. As such, they’ve led some to develop the hypotheses that adopting a gluten free diet and engaging in aggressive, early type 1 diabetes testing routines may be a smart way to proceed in combating the disease.

A gluten free diet, as you may already know, is frequently associated with Celiac Disease and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity. Both conditions can be problematic in their own right. They are normally diagnosed using a battery of tests and procedures. Among them are a standard endoscopy, a series of blood draws, an extensive review of the patient’s history, genetic testing and capsule endoscopy. As far as the blood draws go, physicians generally screen for such things as deaminated gliadin peptides, endomysial antibodies, tissue transglutaminase antibodies and total serum levels.

Type 1 diabetes testing, on the other hand, tends to involve screening for other things. The list includes fasting blood sugar levels, glycated hemoglobin percentages and random blood sugar tests. With the recent suggestion of a connection to gluten sensitivity, type 1 diabetes testing methods may expand to include the procedures we mentioned previously.

For more information about gluten free dietary issues and type 1 diabetes testing supplies, please contact us toll-free. Our Advanced Diabetes Supply experts may also be reached online.