Contour Next One App

The Contour Diabetes app now integrates with Apple Health. Once you enabled the feature, data from the Contour app will be available in the Blood Glucose area of your iOS Health app.

Available in the iTunes app store here - Also available for Android

This is the meter that Omnipod users will be receiving when the DASH PDM is released sometime in the first quarter of 2019. Arden is using it now and we are finding the accuracy to be terrific!

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Daylight Savings Time

Don’t forget -- your microwave isn't the only clock that requires adjusting tonight.

The clocks in your meters, insulin pumps and CGMs need to ‘Spring Forward’ as well… #diabetes #daylightsavingstime

Important: Some insulin pumps may not offer bolus calculations for a period of time after you make clock adjustments.

PHOTO: National Geographic - news.nationalgeographic.com

Photo of a man adjusting giant clocks. Peter Shugrue checks a clock at the Electric Time Company factory in Medfield, Massachusetts, on March 8, 2013.

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Juicebox Podcast

Noninvasive BG monitoring with Apple Watch, "considered to be years away".

There is a recent article circulating in the T1 community that in part reads, "Citing anonymous sources within Apple, reports in Bloomberg and the New York Times over the past weeks continue to add to the pile of leaks and rumors about two of Apple's currently under-development health devices: a wrist-worn glucose sensor and an EKG built into the Apple Watch."

The article goes on to call the glucose sensor a, "a noninvasive continuous glucose reader".

If you were to surf over to the New York Times link on the subject and read down you would see this...

“Separately, Apple is continuing research on a noninvasive continuous glucose reader, according to two people with knowledge of the project. The technology is still considered to be years away, industry experts said.”

— New York Times

"considered to be years away..."

That's pretty much it. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer and I'm certainly not a Negative Nancy but I didn't want you all to feel like this was coming with the next version of the Apple Watch. 

Now on to some good news...

I have a new giveaway for you to check out.

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Daylight Saving Time to Fall Back

It's that time again and whether you are a fan of the practice of Daylight Saving Time (I thought Saving had an S at the end until today) or not, it's about to happen.

In 2017 most of our watches, clocks and appliances adjust themselves but there are still a few items in the world that aren't connected to the Internet and much of your diabetes technology falls into that category. 

Don't forget to adjust the time on your meter, continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump this weekend.

The person that came up with daylight saving must have had a child with type 1 diabetes, because who else considers two in the morning to be a viable time to accomplish something? 

Daylight saving officially ends this year at 2 a.m. on November 5th but you can adjust your D-tech anytime before you go to bed. Be cautious, some insulin pumps will suspend bolus calculation assistance for a period of time after your adjust it's clock - plan accordingly.

If you want to learn more about Daylight Saving there is a quick video and detailed blog post over on National Geographic that you may enjoy.

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Precision Xtra Blood Ketone Meter

It's that time of year... here come the sick days.

There are some things that you don't expect as you prepare yourself for parenthood. One of the things that I didn't imagine? Being peed on more times then I can count. I guess that I should have been ready for a little pee at the changing table or perhaps in the doctor's office. That said, I never imagined how many times I'd be hit while collecting a urine sample and I'm talking about pre-diabetes. There was a time when he was about three that I believed my son was trying to pee on my hand. And Arden, oh Arden is the biggest offender as she quite likes to break out into uproarious laughter as I'm bent over collecting a sample during her yearly well visit.

When I realized that checking ketones was a part of diabetes management my first thought was, "great, more to do and learn" but my second thought was, "well at least I don't mind getting peed on anymore".

Did you know that pee and ketone management don't have to go hand in pee covered hand.

Recently on FaceBook I had a conversation with a mother of a newly diagnosed child who was experiencing their first illness with type I diabetes. She was understandably concerned and wanting to make the next few days as stable and simple as she could. Without a moment of hesitation, I recommended that she get a Blood Ketone Meter and told her that we use the Precision Xtra from Abbott.

View fullsize

This meter is fast and accurate when checking ketones, it does require a largeish drop of blood but nothing that a little extra squeezing can't provide. It's a real lifesaver during sick days and any other times that you require a ketone check. I highly recommend asking your endocrinologist to write you a script so you can try it. We actually have two, one at school and one at home. I can't specifically speak to the pricing as our insurance covered Arden's meter and test strips, but I have seen the meter online for less then twenty dollars... a small price to pay to avoid getting peed on IMO. HUGE thank you to Erin who just told me in the comments that the meter is available for FREE from Abbott when you sign up for their FreeStyle Promise Program. Who says blog comments are dead?

When you love someone who has type 1 diabetes the flu and cold season is particularly stressful!

I know that during the winter months I'm always holding my breath a little extra, hoping that Arden doesn't get a cold or worse, the flu. There is much that you can do to prevent the spread of germs but getting sick is sometimes inevitable and being prepared makes the process go much smoother. If our Precision Xtra sits in a drawer 360 days a year – it is still well worth having for the other five.

May you and your children be healthy and germ free this season!

This post was updated with new links and better writing on 1/22/15.

Remember that I am not a doctor. I am just passing on good information from my perspective. Always speak with your health care professional before making changes to a care plan. This is not a paid review. Please note that I have never used it as a blood glucose meter and can't speak to it's reliability on that front.

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