You need different things to manage type 1 diabetes. You need the right tools, like:

• an insulin pump
• insulin pens
• glucose meters

You also need good self-management habits. Self-management means you’re the one taking action to manage your type 1 diabetes as best you can. Good self-management habits are important things you can do regularly to help keep your blood glucose in your target range.

Here are some good self-management habits you can practise. They can help you whether you’re on insulin pump therapy or not:

• Test your blood glucose before all meals and bedtime (at least 4 times a day).
• Keep records of your blood glucose, food, and exercise.
• Look at your records for patterns of high or low blood glucose.
• Change your insulin, food, or exercise to try and have fewer high and low blood glucose levels based on your records.
• Use methods like carbohydrate counting and insulin-to-carbohydrate ratios to match the insulin you need with how much carbohydrate you’re eating.
• Do your best to be healthy, such as by eating well, exercising, managing stress, and taking your medicine the way your doctor prescribed it.
• Have your A1c values (3-month average blood glucose) done when your diabetes team recommends, about every 3 to 4 months. Know what your A1c is and what it means.
• Get a yearly screening to check for other health problems (also called complications) from diabetes.
• Follow up with your diabetes team any time you need help:
  • practising healthy habits
  • solving problems with your blood glucose patterns
  • dealing with any issue that’s stopping you from taking care of your health

Talk to your diabetes team for more advice and ideas to help you manage your blood glucose.​​​​​​