I've had Type 1 diabetes for almost 20 years. And for almost 20 years, every time I've gotten sick, my insulin needs have gone up — sometimes dramatically. Inflammation increases insulin resistance. That's just how it works. So when my symptoms hit hard this week and my blood sugars started running low instead of high, I had to stop and figure out what was actually going on.

In this episode I walk through exactly what happened over the last 24 to 48 hours — the lows I wasn't expecting, why I reduced my basal by four units a day, the Dexcom G7 that lost signal for over 12 hours, and why three and a half hours of basketball on Monday might be the reason my insulin sensitivity is still elevated four days later.

I also get honest about something that frustrates me — the Dexcom G7 accuracy issues I've been experiencing. Three out of five sensors have been off by 30 to 50 milligrams per deciliter or more. When you can't trust your CGM, decision making gets harder. And when decision making gets harder, everything else gets harder too.

This one is short, practical, and real. Exactly what diabetes management actually looks like when life doesn't follow the rules.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Why sickness typically increases insulin resistance — and why Ken's experience this week was the opposite
• How inflammatory response during illness dramatically changes insulin needs for Type 1 diabetics
• Why exercise-induced insulin sensitivity can last 48 to 72 hours — and how that affected Ken's numbers while sick
• How Ken reduced his basal insulin by four units a day and stabilized his blood sugars
• The Dexcom G7 accuracy issues Ken has been experiencing — and why a backup meter is non-negotiable
• Why trusting your CGM data is essential — and what to do when you can't
• Why sickness is just another variable that requires flexibility in your management system
• Why 525,600 minutes a year means your doctor can't be your only source of diabetes support

Diabetes doesn't follow the rules. Just when you think you know exactly what your body is going to do in a given situation — it does something completely different. The goal isn't to predict everything. It's to recognize what's happening fast enough to respond.

Additional Resources

• 🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience
• 🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
• 📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
• 💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching
• 📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now
• 🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

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Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

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