“Did I Give That Dose?” How Smart Insulin Pens Take the Guesswork out of T1D Care
If you’re a parent of a child with Type 1 diabetes on MDI (Multiple Daily Injections), you’ve probably had that moment of panic- standing in the kitchen, insulin pen in hand, wondering: “Did I already give their dose? Or was that yesterday? Or was that their breakfast dose?” I’ve been there. More than once. Managing diabetes is already a full-time job, when you add in sleep deprivation, school drop-offs, work and life in general, it’s easy to forget whether you actually gave that last dose or just thought about it.
Enter smart insulin pens, the ultimate peace-of-mind tool. These pens don’t just deliver insulin- they track every dose, record the exact time it was given and even help calculate how much insulin is still active in your child’s system. This means:
No more second-guessing
No more accidental double doses
No more scrambling to piece together insulin logs for the diabetes team
Here’s how smart pens make diabetes management easier for both kids and parents- and why they might just be the best tool you didn’t know you needed.
What is a Smart Insulin Pen?
A smart insulin pen is a reusable insulin delivery device that tracks, calculates and reminds- basically, it’s like having a tiny diabetes assistant in your pocket. Unlike traditional insulin pens, smart pens connect to an app and offer valuable insights that help you and your child manage their blood sugar more effectively.
Smart pens are used with pre-filled insulin cartridges (depending on the brand) and work just like a regular insulin pen, except they log every dose for you.
How can a Smart Pen Help My Child?
Here’s where smart pens really shine!
Tracks Insulin Doses Automatically
No more second-guessing when or how much insulin was given! Smart pens logs every injection, so you can check exact dosing times instead of guessing.
Helps Prevent Missed or Double Doses
Since doses are recorded in the app, you can quickly see if your child has had their insulin- no more “Did I give it or not?” moments!
Shows Active Insulin (Insulin on Board)
It calculates how much insulin is still in your child’s system, helping you avoid “stacking” doses and reducing the risk of hypos.
Reminders & Alerts
Tired of reminding your child (or yourself) about injections? Smart pens can send notifications when it’s time for the next dose.
Pairs with Diabetes Apps for Better Insights
Most smart pens work with apps that help track glucose levels, meals and insulin history- all in one place. These reports can also be shared with your child’s diabetes team to help fine tune their management plan.
Which Smart Pens are Available in the UK?
In the UK, there are currently two main smart insulin pen options available through the NHS:
NovoPen 6 & NovoPen Echo Plus (by Novo Nordisk)(available on NHS)
Works with: 3ml Penfill insulin cartridges
Best for: Children who need accurate dose tracking but don’t want to use an app
Automatically records doses for up to 3 months
Doses can be read directly on the pen’s screen (no need for an app)
Works with CGM & diabetes apps like LibreView, Glooko and Diasend
NovoPen Echo Plus allows for half-unit dosing, perfect for young children
Bigfoot Unity System (Private option, not widely available on the NHS yet)
Works with: Freestyle Libre 2 CGM
Best for: Families who want real-time insulin dosing guidance
Provides real-time dosing recommendations based on glucose readings
Pen cap displays info directly, so no app is needed for quick checks
Currently more common in the US, but some UK families access it privately
Medronic InPen Smart Insulin Pen System (available on NHS)
Works with: Medtronic Guardian 4 sensor
Best for: Families who want real-time insulin dosing guidance
The CGM transmits glucose to the InPen app which advises when and how much insulin to inject
A Bolus calculator in the app helps calculate insulin doses, sends reminders and alerts
Which Apps Work With Smart Pens?
LibreView- Works with NovoPen 6/NovoPen Echo Plus & Freestyle Libre sensors
Diasend- Great for sharing data with your diabetes team
Glooko- A comprehensive diabetes management app
Freestyle Libre App- If using the Bigfoot Unity System
Medtronic InPen App- Exclusive to InPen users, includes insulin dose recommendations
These apps allow you to see everything in one place- insulin doses, blood sugar trends and carb intake- making diabetes management far less stressful.
Why Parents (Children and Teenagers) Love Smart Pens
Peace of Mind: No more guessing about doses- just check the app or the pen!
More Freedom: Older children and teens can take more control without worrying about forgetting doses
Fewer Math Errors: The built-in dose tracking and calculations help avoid miscalculations
Better Data for Diabetes Appointments: Easily share insights with your child’s diabetes team for more personalised care
How Can I Get a Smart Insulin Pen?
Just ask your GP for a prescription or speak to your Diabetes Management team. They are the same cost to the NHS as non-smart pens, so being prescribed them should be an easy switch.
Final Thoughts
Smart Insulin pens take the guesswork out of injections, making diabetes management a little bit less stressful for parents and a little bit more manageable for children and teenagers.
Whether you have a toddler just starting out or a teen who wants more independence, smart pens offer peace of mind, better accuracy and fewer missed doses- all without the need for a pump.