In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops making insulin. The body’s immune system destroys the insulin-making cells (beta cells) in the pancreas. The onset of Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in people under the age of 30, but it can happen at any age. About 15% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes are Type 1.

The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not yet known, but we do know that it is not caused by poor diet and lack of activity. At this stage, nothing can be done to prevent or cure Type 1 diabetes but scientists are working on finding a cure. It is important to remember, you can live a normal, healthy life with diabetes by learning as much as you can about it and applying some daily self-management practices.

Type 1 diabetes is managed with insulin replacement through lifelong insulin injections using syringes or pen devices with very fine needles or by using an insulin pump. It is also important to follow a healthy diet and eating plan, participate in regular exercise and monitor your blood glucose levels regularly. Each method of delivering insulin is chosen for a particular purpose and based on an individual’s needs.

At Melbourne Diabetes Education & Support we understand that managing Type 1 diabetes can be overwhelming and complex. Our aim is to empower you to live a healthy and fulfilled life with diabetes. We provide complete education on all aspects of managing Type 1 diabetes, including understanding your body, how to use insulin therapy, checking blood glucose and ketone levels, planning for exercise, how to look after yourself when you are unwell, understanding how diabetes complications occur and how to prevent them.

We teach you how to inject insulin and help you to get the dose right, aiming for stable glucose levels. We work with Dietitians who provide education on how to count carbohydrates and how to adjust your insulin doses for the foods you choose to eat.

We are also certified trainers in the initiation of all insulin pump therapy systems available in Australia which includes the Medtronic, Tandem T-Slim X2, Ypsomed with CamAPS FX technology and the Omnipod systems, and their associated continuous glucose monitoring systems. We provide support to help you get started, together with a high level of ongoing support both in and out of the clinic to ensure you are confident and comfortable with their use.

We facilitate subsidised access to and commencement of blood glucose monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring through the NDSS. We are at the forefront of advanced insulin delivery and continuous glucose monitoring systems utilising advanced hybrid closed loop technology. We keep up to date with current technologies and advances in diabetes care as they are made available, ensuring you are the first to get access to new technologies as soon as possible.https://www.omnipod.com/en-au/about-omnipod-dash

Insulin injections and pens

Insulin syringes and insulin pens are currently the most common way of administering insulin. Injection devices are made in different sizes, and the size used depends on the quantity of insulin being injected. To avoid under or over dosing, it is important that you know how to measure the insulin dose in your device. Come and see us to learn more.

Insulin Pumps

The insulin pump is a battery-operated or rechargeable electronic device that holds a reservoir of insulin. It is about the size of a pager and is worn 24 hours a day. The pump is programmed to deliver insulin into the body through thin plastic tubing known as the infusion set. The pump is worn outside the body, in a pouch or on your belt, or may be worn as a patch without the need for any tubing. The infusion set has a fine needle or flexible cannula that is inserted just below the skin where it stays in place for two to seven days, depending on the product.

Only rapid acting insulin is used in the pump. Whenever food is eaten the pump is programmed to deliver a surge of insulin into the body similar to the way the pancreas works in people without diabetes. Between meals a small and steady rate of insulin is delivered. Advanced hybrid closed loop systems can now automate this steady rate of insulin, based on your glucose levels. These systems act similar to an artificial pancreas, with the insulin delivery changing as your glucose level rises and falls, so you spend more time with glucose levels in the desirable target range of 3.9-10.0mmol/L.

Insulin pumps are funded via private health insurance (hospital cover) or can be purchased outright without private health insurance. You can check with your insurer to ask if you have the right level of cover. If you don’t have private health insurance or are in your first 12-month waiting period and would like to access insulin pump technology, ask us about the free loan programs offered by each pump supplier and how we can get you started earlier. Ongoing cost of insulin pump consumables is heavily subsidized by the Australian Government via the NDSS program making it a more affordable option for those both with and without a valid concession card.

Insulin pumps are not suitable for everyone. Come and have a chat to us so we can help you decide whether insulin pump therapy is right for you.

See the following links for further information:

• Diabetes Australia
• Diabetes Victoria
• National Diabetes Services Scheme
• JDRF
• Medtronic Diabetes
• AMSL
• Omnipod
• Ypsomed
• Baker IDI
• Abbott Diabetes

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

Sometimes performing finger prick blood glucose levels alone does not provide enough information about the fluctuations of your glucose levels through the day and night. Some people also are not able to detect hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose levels) or hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose levels) through symptoms, due to the length of time they have had Type 1 diabetes.

Continuous glucose monitoring involves the use of a device that provides continuous blood glucose values every 1 to 5-minutes to your mobile phone or insulin pump (depending on which product you choose). Using these devices means you receive glucose levels in real-time, with the ability to set glucose alerts if your glucose reaches a high or low level. This means you spend more time with glucose levels in the desirable range of 3.9-10.0mmol/L.

Some CGM devices sync with insulin pumps and automate insulin delivery. This helps your glucose levels to stay within the recommended target range of 3.9-10.0mmol/L, reducing your risk of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. This provides greater freedom and flexibility with your lifestyle, and can reduce the anxiety that comes with high and low glucose levels. The apps used to view your CGM data can also be shared with others such as parents, partners or carers.

From July 2022, the Australian Government provide a subsidy to all people with type 1 diabetes, capping the cost per month, via NDSS. Those aged under 21 years, or those over 21 years who hold a valid concession card can access fully subsidized (free) CGM through the NDSS. Fully subsidized CGM is also available to women with Type 1 diabetes who are planning a pregnancy, are currently pregnant or are within the first 3 months post-pregnancy. Our clincians can complete your application, authorize access via NDSS and provide education and training on using these technologies.

Come and chat to us about whether CGM is right for you.