Taking Control Of Your Diabetes® – The Podcast!

Episode: Top 10 Things to do When You Are Diagnosed With Type 1

Release Date: September 15, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Pettus & Dr. Steve Edelman

Episode Overview

In this energetic and practical episode, endocrinologists (and long-time type 1s) Dr. Jeremy Pettus and Dr. Steve Edelman share their “Top 10 Things to Do When You Are Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes.” Drawing both from their medical expertise and decades of lived experience, they balance medical must-knows with real-life wisdom, humor, and support. The episode is part one of a two-part series (type 2 diabetes coming next).

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. We All Get High and We All Get Low

[01:36]

• Acceptance is Key: Type 1 is unpredictable—everyone, including the experts, has highs and lows.
• Mental health matters: Don’t expect perfection; self-compassion is crucial.
• Quote:

  “The only time you have a completely flat blood sugar is when...you’re dead.” – Dr. Pettus [04:02]

  • The message: Fluctuations are normal and not a failure.

2. Know Your Goals

[04:30]

• Medical targets: Aim for A1C <7%, and Time in Range (70-180 mg/dL) >70%.
• Avoid the perfection trap: Even at 70% TIR, you’re ‘out of range’ 7.5 hours per day—and that’s okay!
• Quote:

  “We didn’t pull these numbers out of our butt...If you keep your A1C <7%...you’re going to live a very long, very healthy life.” – Dr. Pettus [04:56]

3. Celebrate the Wins—Especially the Small Ones

[06:01]

• Acknowledge success: Notice when you nail a meal bolus, have a stable eye exam, exercise without a crisis, or simply get up with a good blood sugar.
• Mental reward: No one else may mention your daily victories—so celebrate yourself.
• Quote:

  “I perfectly bolused for a s’more a few weeks ago and I felt like a boss.” – Dr. Pettus, quoting Dr. Leslie Island [07:37]

4. Become a Hoarder: Stockpile Diabetes Supplies

[09:45]

• Be prepared: Always have extra sensors, insulin, infusion sets, etc.—in various locations (home, work, etc.).
• Practical tips: Set insulin refills on auto, and, if needed, have a doctor prescribe a slightly higher usage rate to create a buffer.
• Ask your endocrinologist for samples if you’re running low.
• Quote:

  “There’s nothing worse than...your CGM falls out and you don’t have one nearby—well, guess what, you gotta go home.” – Dr. Pettus [10:20]

5. Eat Low-Carbish—Reduce the Guesswork

[12:25]

• Easier management: Fewer carbs means fewer wild swings and easier dosing. Don’t go ultra-low, but be strategic.
• Humor: “Small fries” over “no fries,” and whiskey (“zero carbs!”) get a laugh as coping mechanisms.
• Anecdote: Their legendary “donut challenge”—three donuts each, tame blood sugars, but only after “a lot of work” [13:43].
• Quote:

  “The less carbs you eat, it’s just easier to predict in terms of how much insulin you need.” – Dr. Pettus [13:29]

6. Sometimes You Have to Say ‘Eff It’

[14:11]

• Balance enjoyment and health: Occasionally, acknowledge that “life happens”—enjoy the pizza or donut, and don’t obsess if blood sugars spike temporarily.
• Short spikes aren’t dangerous: It’s long-term patterns that matter, not single outliers.
• Pre-planned ‘eff its’: Give yourself permission during vacations or special events.
• Quote:

  “If you get these spikes, which we all do, correct your blood sugar, try to bring it down safely…and get on with your day.” – Dr. Pettus [15:05]

7. Don’t Forget the Rest of Your Health—Beyond Blood Sugar

[17:05]

• Comprehensive care: At each appointment, review cholesterol (aim for LDL <70), blood pressure (goal <130/80), kidney, and eye health—not just glucose data.
• Be proactive: Do your homework; if you monitor BP/cholesterol at home and they’re good, tell your doctor.
• Quote:

  “If you have an A1C of 6 and your cholesterol and blood pressure are through the roof, you’re screwed.” – Dr. Pettus [18:13]

8. Rapid-Fire Practical Blood Sugar Management Tips

[19:51]

8.1 Use a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor)

• Set smart alarms: Low at 80, high at 180-200, and adjust for lifestyle; otherwise, you’ll ignore them.
• Quote:

  “If you want to see me lose my shit in clinic, come in there and set your alert at 250.” – Dr. Edelman [20:52]

8.2 Use a Hybrid Closed Loop Pump

• Automation helps: Pumps improve TIR and reduce highs/lows; educate yourself on new systems and integration options.
• However: MDI (Multiple Daily Injections) works well for some—no guilt if pumps aren’t your style.

8.3 Prebolus for Meals

• Timing: Give insulin 10–20 min before eating to minimize post-meal spikes.
• Each has their method: Dr. Pettus preboluses a “base” amount, Dr. Edelman reverse-calculates insulin needs.
• Afrezza as a tool: Consider inhaled insulin for rapid correction.

9. Get a Diabuddy—Find Your Tribe

[25:02]

• Peer support: There’s nothing like a fellow type 1 who “gets it” (in-person or online).
• Community events: Conferences, support groups, and even diabetes-specific dating all foster connection.
• Quote:

  “Having that person can be so helpful...these people carry these relationships honestly through the rest of their lives.” – Dr. Pettus [25:33]

10. You Are Going to Be Okay

[26:19]

• Optimism: Life expectancy for type 1 is now longer than for the general population if you follow basic care.
• Perspective: T1D is uniquely demanding, but current technology and support make long, healthy lives possible.
• Quote:

  “Type 1 diabetes is the best thing that ever happened to me—said by me just now.” – Dr. Pettus [27:56]
  “There’s never been a better time to have type 1. The technology is getting better...” – Dr. Edelman [27:28]

Memorable Quotes & Light Moments

• “Jeremy gets high all the time. I might get low.” – Dr. Edelman [03:06]
• “We want good blood sugar control, and we don’t want to work so hard. We don’t want to worry about it.” – Dr. Pettus [03:44]
• “You make me. They are. They are. I never thought I would make it to this age.” – Dr. Edelman, on type 1s living longer, playfully referencing his birthday [09:39]
• “Call Steve. That’s my number one thing that I do, actually.” – Dr. Pettus, about running out of supplies [10:32]
• “We both have [CGM] sensors. We actually have meters and things like that. So don’t feel sheepish for saying, ‘Hey, do you have any extra sensors?’” – Dr. Pettus [12:03]
• “We had our donut challenge...kept our blood sugars in range, but it took a lot of work.” – Dr. Edelman [13:43]
• “Sometimes you have to say eff it...my blood sugar was 250, I said F it, and I had a donut.” – Dr. Pettus [14:13]
• “If your A1C is 6 and your cholesterol and blood pressure are through the roof, you’re screwed.” – Dr. Pettus [18:13]
• “If you want to see me lose my shit in clinic, come in there and set your alert at 250.” – Dr. Edelman [20:52]
• “Jeremy, you’re the best diabuddy anybody could ever have.” – Dr. Edelman [29:15]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Setting the Stage & Introduction: [00:00–03:00]
• Tips 1–2 (Acceptance, Goals): [03:00–05:59]
• Tip 3 (Celebrate Wins): [05:59–09:39]
• Tip 4 (Stockpile Supplies): [09:39–12:24]
• Tip 5 (Eat Low-Carbish): [12:24–14:10]
• Tip 6 (Say 'Eff It'): [14:11–16:52]
• Tip 7 (Other Health Concerns): [17:05–19:51]
• Tip 8 (Blood Sugar Management): [19:51–25:01]
• Tip 9 (Find a Diabuddy): [25:02–26:18]
• Tip 10 (You Will Be OK): [26:19–27:58]
• Recap & Conclusion: [27:58–29:30]

Closing Thoughts

With warmth and humor, Drs. Pettus and Edelman blend practical medical advice with the lived experience of people who truly “get it.” For anyone new to type 1 diabetes—or supporting someone who is—this episode offers hopeful realism, practical strategies, and the assurance that “you’re going to be okay.”