Cracking the Code: A Fun Guide to Understanding T1D Lingo
So, your child has been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), and suddenly you feel like you’ve landed in a foreign country where everyone speaks a language you definitely didn’t study in school.
Basal? Bolus? Honeymoon phase? (Wait, what?)
Take a deep breath- this is totally normal. The world of Type 1 Diabetes comes with a lot of new words, but don’t worry, you don’t need to learn them all at once. To help you feel less like you’re decoding ancient hieroglyphics and more like the rockstar parent you are, here’s a fun, easy-to-digest guide to all those new terms.
The Basics: Your Diabetes Starter Pack
Insulin- The hormone your child’s pancreas used to make but now needs to get via injections or a pump. Basically, it’s the VIP pass that lets glucose (sugar) move from the blood into the body’s cells for energy.
Glucose- A fancy word for sugar in the blood. Too much= high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Too little=low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The goal? Keep it just right (cue the Goldilocks reference).
Blood Glucose Level (BG/BGL)/ Blood Sugar Level (BSL)- The number that now rules your world. It tells you how much sugar is floating around in your child’s bloodstream. Checked via finger pricks or a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM).
Target Range- The happy place where blood sugars should ideally sit. Usually between 4-7 mmol/L before meals, but this varies depending on your child’s age and advice from your diabetes team.
Blood Sugar Roller-coaster- That frustrating ride where levels go from too high to too low (or vice versa) faster than you can say “carb count".” No ticket required- just a lot of patience.
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Insulin 101: The Magic Potion
Basal Insulin- The mealtime insulin given to handle the carbs your child eats. This is the fast-acting stuff that swoops in like a superhero after every meal.
MDI (Multiple Daily Injections)- If your child is on insulin injections, this means they get a mix of basal (long-acting) and bolus (fast-acting) insulin every day. It’s like having a strict but necessary daily routine for the pancreas.
Insulin Pump- A small, wearable device that delivers insulin continuously instead of daily injections. Think of it as a pancreas on autopilot (with some parental guidance, of course).
Bolus Wizard- A feature on insulin pumps that helps calculate insulin doses based on food intake and blood sugar levels. Basically, it’s a super smart carb-counting assistant.
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Food & Carbs: The New Mealtime Maths
Carb Counting- Figuring out how many carbohydrates (carbs) are in your child’s food so you can give the right amount of insulin. Yes, this means you’ll become that parents reading every food label in the supermarket.
CP (Carbohydrate Portion)- In the UK, 1CP= 10g of carbs. Some parents prefer using grams, so use CPs- either way its all about the numbers!
Fast-Acting Carbs- Quick sugar fixes for treating hypos, like fruit juice, glucose tablets, or jelly babies. They work fast because they go straight into the bloodstream.
Slow- Release Carbs- Foods like wholemeal bread, pasta and oats, bananas and milk that take their time breaking down, helping to keep blood sugars stable for longer.
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The Highs and Lows of Blood Sugars
Hypoglycemia (Hypo)- When blood sugar drops too low (usually below 4mmol/L). Symptoms can include shakiness, sweating, dizziness or sudden mood swings that could rival a toddler tantrum. Treat with fast-acting carbs!
Hyperglycemia (Hyper)- When blood sugar is too high (usually above 10 mmol/L). This can happen from too little insulin, illness, stress or sometimes no reason at all (because diabetes loves a plot twist).
Ketones- These pop up when the body starts burning fat for energy instead of glucose (usually when insulin is too low). If ketone levels get too high, it can lead to DKA (see below). Always check ketones if blood sugars are very high for an extended period.
DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)- A serious condition caused by very high blood sugar and ketones building up in the blood. Symptoms include extreme thirst, tummy pain, vomiting and fruity-smelling breath. If suspected, call your diabetes team or head to A&E.
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Bonus round: Terms You Didn’t Know You Needed to Know
The Honeymoon Phase- A temporary period after diagnosis when the pancreas still makes some insulin, making blood sugar levels easier to manage. But like all honeymoons, it doesn’t last forever.
CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor)- A small device that tracks blood sugar levels 24/7 and sends alerts for highs and lows. Life-changing, but can also be a little too chatty at 3 AM.
Libre (Flash Glucose Monitor)- A type of sensor worn on the arm that lets you scan your child’s blood sugar levels without finger pricks. Because who doesn’t love a bit of high-tech magic?
Time in Range (TIR)- The percentage of time your child’s blood sugars stay within their target range. Think of it as a progress tracker rather than a grade- swings happen, and that’s okay!
Diabetes Burnout- When managing Type 1 feels completely overwhelming (which is totally understandable). Take a breath, take a break and reach out for support- you’re doing amazing.
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Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Right now, this might all feel like an overwhelming crash course in medical jargon. But trust me- soon, these terms will become second nature. You’ll find yourself saying things like, “He needs 1.5 CPs and a 30/70 bolus split” without even blinking.
The most important thing? You are not alone. Every Type 1 parent has been in your shoes, feeling just as lost at the start. Step by step, day by day, you’ll gain confidence, knowledge and a whole new appreciation for jelly babies.