Understanding Type 1 Diabetes Gear: Pumps, CGMs & More
Living with Type 1 Diabetes means using tools that help manage blood sugar levels throughout the day. These devices like insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and pods play a big role in making life safer and easier. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting someone who lives with Type 1 Diabetes, here’s a simple overview of what each one does.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
A Continuous Glucose Monitor, or CGM, tracks blood sugar levels around the clock. Instead of finger pokes throughout the day, it uses a tiny sensor placed under the skin to measure glucose from the fluid between your cells.
CGMs send updates to a phone or receiver, showing trends and alerting users if levels are going too high or too low.
Common CGMs include:
Dexcom G6 or G7
Freestyle Libre 2 or Libre 3
Medtronic Guardian Connect
These devices help people see patterns and make decisions about food, insulin, and exercise in real time.
Insulin Pumps and Pods
An insulin pump delivers insulin continuously through a small tube or pod, replacing the need for multiple daily injections. It helps mimic how a healthy pancreas releases insulin giving a steady background dose and extra amounts when eating.
Popular insulin delivery systems include:
Omnipod 5 – a small, tubeless pod that sticks to the skin
Tandem t:slim X2 – a touchscreen pump that connects to a CGM
Medtronic MiniMed – a system that can automatically adjust insulin
Some pumps can now “talk” to CGMs, creating what’s known as a closed-loop system, which automatically adjusts insulin delivery based on glucose levels.
Along with pumps and CGMs, people with Type 1 Diabetes often use:
Insulin pens for manual injections
Glucose meters for finger checks
Smart apps that help track food, exercise, and glucose data
These tools can make day-to-day management more flexible and less stressful.
Understanding diabetes technology helps take away some of the mystery. Every device, from a CGM to a pod, is designed to make managing Type 1 Diabetes safer and more convenient allowing people to focus more on life, not just numbers.
