Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

Stacey Simms

The T1D news show you've been waiting for! Long-time broadcaster, blogger and diabetes mom Stacey Simms interviews prominent advocates, authors and speakers. Stacey asks hard questions of healthcare companies and tech developers and brings on "everyday' people living with type 1. Great for parents of T1D kids, adults with type 1 and anyone who loves a person with diabetes.

  1. Aug 4

    In the News... Lantus Shortage, Pill for T1D Studied, Ring Measures Glucose in Sweat, Call Her Daddy Host Shares Diabetes Diagnosis, Cookie Queens Movie and more!

    On this episode of Diabetes Connections In the news… Sanofi acknowledges an insulin shortage, a new oral therapy for type 1 moves along in research, could there be an actual, accurate, non-invasive CGM in the works, ADA conflict continues and a new documentary about Girl Scout cookies shines a spotlight on T1D. Don't miss our upcoming events! Moms' Night Out in Detroit and Seattle, Club 1921 in Charlotte and Phoenix: https://diabetes-connections.com/events/   Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com   Transcript:  (Stacey Track) On this episode of Diabetes Connections In the news… Sanofi acknowledges an insulin shortage, a new oral therapy for type 1 moves along in research, could there be an actual, accurate, non-invasive CGM in the works, ADA conflict continues and I can't wait to tell you about Cookie Queens.. that's coming up right after this. (AD BREAK) Welcome! I'm your host Stacey Simms and this is an In The News episode.. where we bring you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. A reminder that you can find the sources and links and a transcript and more info for every story mentioned here in the show notes. We are still looking for your community commercials. These are 30–60 second audio spots created by members of the diabetes community to share: Events you're organizing: a fundraiser, walk, or local meetup Products you've created: maybe you've written a book, have a Substack, designed a T1D-friendly gadget, or launched a small business Helpful projects or resources: things you think others in our community should know about It's your chance to share what you're doing and help others get connected! Full instructions are on the website. While you're there please check out our events. We're turning toward fall and we have a lot going on – MNO and Club 1921.   Okay.. our top story this week: XX I want to talk about Cookie Queens! It might not sound like a hard news story.. but It's my show and I can't wait to watch this. This move follows four Girl Scouts ages 5-12 during cookie season. One of the girls has type 1 – they don't mention it in the trailer, but you can see her omnipod. Here's a clip:   Start the very beginning and stop after "I want to be a supreme court justice." (stop after the "oh..laughter" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnSQS43Eil8   Viewers meet Ara from San Diego, CA (5), Shannon Elizabeth from El Paso, TX (8), Nikki from Chino, CA (9), and Olive from Charlotte, NC (12). Ara has Type 1 diabetes and is shown taking insulin, refilling her pump before bed, and determining with her dad how to sample the cookies she's selling while keeping her blood sugar levels safe. Thumbs down to the Hollywood reporter dot com. In their review they say.. "if this film were itself a baked good, Ara would need to be careful because one bite could cause hyperglycemia or even diabetic ketoacidosis. It's just that sweet." Cookie Queens comes out this month. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/cookie-queens-review-prince-harry-meghan-markle-girl-scouts-1236484555/ trailer:   XX Supply issues for Lantus SoloStar pens being acknowledged by Sanofi. The company says it's experiencing "a period of intermittent supply due to increased demand. The company said the increase in demand is being driven by "broader market dynamics," but did not provide additional details. Sanofi said the situation is temporary and is expected to improve over the coming weeks. The company said Lantus U-100 vials and Toujeo U-300, which contain the same active ingredient, remain available. https://www.wral.com/news/local/common-insulin-pen-faces-supply-issues-amid-rising-demand-july-23-2026/ XX The University of Alabama at Birmingham startup TIXiMED Inc. has launched the next phase of clinical testing for a novel oral therapy for Type 1. For now called TIX100, a small-molecule drug designed to inhibit a protein linked to pancreatic beta-cell loss and diabetes progression. The new double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study will evaluate the drug's safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics. Researchers will enroll 18 healthy participants across three dose cohorts at a single United States study site. Participants will receive either TIX100 or a placebo twice daily for 28 days, followed by a seven-day follow-up period. Six participants making up the first cohort have been successfully enrolled thus far. In addition to its potential use in Type 1 diabetes, TIX100 may have applications in Type 2 diabetes and obesity. A recent study found that the drug prevented weight regain and preserved lean muscle mass after discontinuation of GLP-1 therapies in preclinical models. https://www.uab.edu/news/research-innovation/startup-advances-novel-oral-type-1-diabetes-therapy-to-next-phase-of-human-testing XX Researchers at the University of California San Diego say they have developed and validated a Continuous Health Analyzing Ring Module (CHARM), a compact, fully integrated wearable smart ring capable of continuous real-time monitoring of multiple biomarkers in sweat. The wearable device can simultaneously measure up to four biomarkers, including glucose, ketone, uric acid, lactate, ascorbic acid, and alcohol, to provide real-time insights into metabolic health. The study is published in Nature Communications. They say CHARM device contains all necessary biomarker sensors, low-power electronics, and a flexible battery. The left compartment of the device is designed to draw sweat passively using an osmotic hydrogel, a soft polymer that creates a pressure gradient to pull fluid from the skin painlessly. The sweat is then analyzed by multiplexed electrochemical sensor arrays within the same compartment, leading to simultaneous and real-time tracking of four biomarkers at a time.   The right compartment of the device contains a flexible zinc-silver oxide rechargeable battery that supplies power for up to 12 hours of operation between charges. Biomarker information generated through sensors is wirelessly transferred to a connected Bluetooth-enabled device for real-time display The findings indicated that the device performed well in initial temperature, cytotoxicity, and on-body compatibility tests. It also demonstrated high analytical accuracy in preliminary studies involving healthy participants and individuals with type 1 diabetes, highlighting its potential for non-invasive metabolic monitoring. The calculated estimated sweat-based blood glucose concentration showed a mean absolute relative difference of approximately 13.7% against its corresponding blood concentration values.   The device needs further validation in diverse clinical settings and across large diabetic cohorts.   https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260727/Prototype-smart-ring-tracks-multiple-sweat-biomarkers.aspx   XX Hotter weather and rising temps appear to increase the short term risk for low blood sugar in adults with type 1. An analysis of more than 32 million continuous glucose monitor (CGM) readings from nearly 700 adults with T1D in the UK showed a 26% greater risk for hypoglycemia at a temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) than at 13 °C (55.4 °F). Hypoglycemia was defined as a glucose level The study included 679 individuals with T1D and 32,966,282 CGM readings collected between February 23, 2017, and August 8, 2024. Participants had a mean age of 46.4 years and a mean T1D duration of 23.7 years. The researchers observed strong seasonal patterns, with lower odds of hypoglycemia in late winter and early spring, followed by a peak during the summer. The lowest risk occurred on Mondays. The odds then increased over the course of the week and peaked toward the weekend, with a significant odds ratio of 1.14 on Saturdays compared with Mondays. Increases in hypoglycemia were observed during both hot and cold weather, but the association was stronger for heat. The net odds ratio was 1.26 at 25 °C compared with 13 °C.   https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/when-temperatures-climb-hypoglycemia-risk-rises-type-1-2026a1000q4r XX Seven weeks after the expulsion of five diabetes experts from the American Diabetes Association conference, controversy continues. More than 200 members now calling for two ADA leaders to resign. In response, the ADA delivered its own message Tuesday, expressing appreciation for members' patience while a report is prepared.   The resignation demand, sent last week in an open letter to the ADA board of directors, calls for the removal of CEO Charles Henderson and chief scientific and medical officer Rita Kalyani. It also urges "an independent investigation into the events of the 2026 Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, a full apology to the five colleagues removed from the meeting, and the restoration of editorial independence at Diabetes Care," an ADA scientific journal.   https://www.statnews.com/2026/07/28/american-diabetes-association-fallout-researchers-expulsion/ XX XX Still to come, , a new link between diabetes and dementia, device updates, and why you might want to start rooting for the Red Sox..   XX New study says that people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) before the age of 10 years had a 37% higher risk of developing all-cause dementia later in life than thos

  2. Jul 28

    Highs, Lows, & Hormones: What every woman with T1D should know, with Melissa Slemp

    For years, women with type 1 diabetes have been told their blood sugars might change because of hormones... but what does that actually mean? Why do insulin needs suddenly shift in your 40s and 50s? And why is so little research focused on women with type 1 as they move through perimenopause and menopause? This week, I'm talking with Melissa Slemp. She has lived with type 1 diabetes for more than four decades and has written a new book about the intersection of diabetes, hormones, and aging. Plus, Melissa shares her own story—from being diagnosed in 1982, to finding diabetes community decades later This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider. Learn more about Moms' Night Out and Club 1921 here Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com

  3. Jul 14

    Raising a Child with Type 1 Diabetes Without Losing Yourself

    We get into the emotional side of raising a child with type 1 diabetes: the pressure to be perfect, the guilt that social media can create, and the way so many parents slowly lose themselves after diagnosis without even realizing it. We do "check-ins" at our mom's night Out events where you can ask any question of a diabetes expert. I thought it would be helpful to bring those questions and answers to you here. My guest is Abby Cooper, mom of a child with T1D and Risely Health diabetes coach.. who was one of our check in experts this year. We talk about independence, middle school, camp, and what happens when your entire identity starts revolving around your child's diagnosis. This podcast is not intended as medical advice. If you have those kinds of questions, please contact your health care provider. Join us at Mom's Night Out this fall in Detroit and Seattle. Use promo code FFL to save (valid until 7/19) Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com

  4. Jul 7

    800 Episodes Later: What I've Learned From the Diabetes Community

    We're celebrating 800 episodes of your stories. News, interviews, information, community and much more.    To celebrate, we're doing something a little different. Instead of interviewing a guest, Stacey is in the hot seat as podcast producer and friend Jon Gay asks questions submitted by listeners, community members, and some familiar voices from the diabetes world. Stacey looks back on how the podcast started, the moments that shaped it, and the biggest changes she's seen in diabetes technology and care over the last decade. She shares stories from behind the scenes, talks about raising Benny from toddler diagnosis to independent adulthood, and reflects on what continues to inspire her about this community. Along the way, you'll hear about: The breakthroughs that have made the biggest difference for people with diabetes What it's really like to cover diabetes news week after week The guests she'd still love to interview The topics that spark the most passionate debate How the diabetes community continues to show up for one another Most of all, this episode is a thank you. Whether you've been listening since Episode 1 or just found the show last week, thank you for being part of Diabetes Connections. This community has made 800 episodes possible, and Stacey is grateful for every conversation, every question, and every listener along the way. Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com

  5. Jun 30

    In the News... Tzield, Retatrutide, New Clues About Type 1 and more!

    It's In the News - a look at the top diabetes headlines and stories happening now. Our top stories: More information about type 1 and COVID, including the vaccine, why is the latest GLP-1 medication, not yet FDA approved, showing up all over the place, what table sugar and vinegar could mean for drug costs, a new inhaled insulin study and much more  I'll see you at Friends for Life next week. Come find me at Table T18 Learn more about our in-person events here: https://diabetes-connections.com/events/ Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom  All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com  Transcript & links:    Okay.. our top story this week: XX A large Swedish study found that the increased risk of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after COVID-19 infection is mostly limited to the first 30 days after infection and does not continue long term. Researchers followed nearly the entire Swedish population under age 80 from 2020 through 2023 and found that while SARS-CoV-2 infection was linked to a temporary rise in new type 1 diabetes diagnoses, the risk declined over time. The study also found no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination increases the long-term risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Vaccination did not significantly change the relationship between COVID-19 infection and diabetes risk, and any small increase in diagnoses seen among adults shortly after a first vaccine dose was not seen after later doses or during longer follow-up. The researchers concluded that their findings do not support changing current COVID-19 vaccination recommendations because of concerns about type 1 diabetes risk. https://www.infectiousdiseaseadvisor.com/news/covid19-infection-may-increase-short-term-type-1-diabetes-risk/ XX Two new studies are challenging the traditional view that type 1 diabetes develops solely because the immune system attacks insulin-producing beta cells. Researchers from Indiana University found evidence that beta cells themselves may play an active role in determining whether they survive or succumb to the stresses that lead to type 1 diabetes. In the first study, scientists discovered that some healthy human beta cells can quickly activate an antiviral defense system when exposed to interferon-alpha, an immune signal often produced during viral infections. This response relies on molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are usually associated with cell damage but, in this case, appeared to help switch on protective antiviral genes. Researchers found this defense program in healthy cells and in people at risk for type 1 diabetes, but not in beta cells from people who already had the disease. The findings suggest that losing this built-in defense mechanism may make beta cells more vulnerable during the development of type 1 diabetes. The second study focused on autophagy, the process cells use to recycle damaged or worn-out components. Using a new imaging technique, researchers observed that beta cells in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes showed defects in autophagy before blood sugar levels began to rise and even before a full immune attack was underway. This suggests that problems inside the beta cells may occur early in the disease process rather than being caused entirely by the immune system. Together, the studies point to a more complex picture of type 1 diabetes. While they do not show that beta-cell defects cause the disease, they suggest that differences in how beta cells respond to stress, viral signals, and cellular damage may influence who develops type 1 diabetes and how the disease progresses. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-beta-cells-players-diabetes.html XX Researchers have created the most detailed map yet of how the human pancreas develops during childhood, offering new clues about why children are especially vulnerable to developing diabetes. The study, published in Nature Communications, examined pancreatic tissue from 123 children without diabetes, ranging from newborns through age 10. Using advanced imaging techniques, scientists tracked how insulin-producing islet cells grow and mature during the first decade of life. The researchers found that pancreas size varies dramatically at birth, with some infants having pancreases nearly four times larger than others. They also discovered that insulin-producing beta cells grow more slowly after birth than previously thought, suggesting that much of a person's lifelong beta cell capacity may be established before birth and during early childhood. Other findings showed that insulin-producing cells mature earlier than glucagon-producing cells and that new hormone-producing cells may continue to form after birth. The researchers hope this new understanding of pancreas development will help scientists identify diabetes risk earlier and develop better strategies for prevention and treatment in children. https://news.vumc.org/2026/06/29/unlocking-diabetes-secrets-pediatric-organ-donors-help-map-a-path-to-a-cure-and-prevention/   XX At the American Diabetes Association annual meeting, 2-year results from the SUPPRESS-EARLY trial showed that initiating tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) early in the course of type 2 diabetes led to substantially higher rates of near-normal glycemic control and also led to broader metabolic improvements compared with intensive conventional therapy.   In this MedPage Today video, investigator Stefano Del Prato, MD, of the University of Pisa in Italy, discusses the findings.     Following is a transcript of his remarks:   What happened is that in the tirzepatide-treated arm, 85% of the population at the end of the second year was on the maximum dose of tirzepatide 15 mg. And then the remaining 15 with the different doses.   Interestingly, in the population that had been treated with the intensive conventional approach, 85% of them ended up to have, on top of metformin, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, mainly represented by subcutaneous semaglutide [Ozempic, Wegovy], 60+%, another 15% on oral semaglutide [Rybelsus], and the remaining on dulaglutide [Trulicity].   And I have to say that maybe the recommendation to really push along the line to try to achieve and to strive to achieve [glycemic] control was successful in these individuals. Because the population that had been recruited in the study started off with a baseline A1C of 7.8% and it went down to 6.3% in the conventionally intensive treatment, which is not bad at all, on average is below the target of 6.5%.     However, when we look at the effect of tirzepatide, the final level of A1C at the end of the second year was 5.6%, which is on average below the upper limit of the normal range for A1C, 5.7%. This also translates into more people not only achieving normal glycemia, if we can define normal glycemia as A1C below 5.7%, greater than what we observed in conventionally treated individuals. So it was around three times more people achieving an A1C of 5.7%, in the range of around 65%, as compared to 28% with people on a conventional optimized treatment.   Now, this is not surprising knowing the potency of tirzepatide. But again, going back to the rationale of the design, can we change what is the natural history of the disease? This seems to be at least of interest and it's possibly changing the trajectory of the disease for glycemic control, as I mentioned, but also in terms of the body weight and waist circumference because both body weight and waist circumference went much lower with tirzepatide compared to the conventional treatment.   Tirzepatide also was associated with an improvement in the lipid profile, in particular with the LDL, triglycerides, and the triglyceride concentration and non-HDL cholesterol, and also with a statistically significantly lower systolic blood pressure with a numerical reduction in the diastolic blood pressure.   And also the other thing that probably will ... become more apparent with the study continuing is that the investigators were allowed to add on any other treatment ... needed to achieve their target. So tirzepatide was just metformin and tirzepatide. In the control group, there was already 10% of people who were receiving two drugs on top of the metformin.   So another potential result of the trial is that it's possible to achieve and maintain better glycemic or better metabolic control over the time without really needing to increase the number of medications in order to achieve that goal. And we know that type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition often requiring intensification of the treatment.   So these initial results really stand for a great opportunity with tirzepatide. Of course, we need to wait for the 4 years just to confirm that this is indeed the case, but the initial result seems to point along that line. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/adavideopearls/121967 XX A study from the University of Virginia found that high blood pressure is extremely common among people with diabetes, even among those who believe their blood pressure is under control. Researchers measured blood pressure in 172 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes during routine eye clinic visits and found that only 8% had normal readings. About half had stage 2 hypertension, and more than 10% had blood pressure levels high enough to be considered a medical em

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About

The T1D news show you've been waiting for! Long-time broadcaster, blogger and diabetes mom Stacey Simms interviews prominent advocates, authors and speakers. Stacey asks hard questions of healthcare companies and tech developers and brings on "everyday' people living with type 1. Great for parents of T1D kids, adults with type 1 and anyone who loves a person with diabetes.