Type 1 Diabetes - Basics to Mastery

This practical guide explains the autoimmune loss of pancreatic beta cells and why external insulin is essential, then shows how to build a safe, flexible routine across stages of life. You'll learn how rapid-acting insulin covers meals and corrections, how basal insulin (or pump basal rates) keeps glucose steady between meals, and how timing, dose calculation, and insulin sensitivity factors work together.
We demystify CGM metrics (time-in-range 70-180 mg/dL, variability) and A1C interpretation, with clear steps for treating hypoglycemia (fast-acting ~15 g carbohydrate, recheck in ~15 minutes; glucagon for severe lows) and preventing DKA (ketone checks during illness or persistent hyperglycemia). Using realistic vignettes-a student managing exams, a traveler crossing time zones, and an endurance athlete adjusting fuel-we translate physiology into decisions you can make today.
You'll also find checklists for sick-day rules, exercise adjustments, and clinic visits; meal-planning methods that respect culture and budget; and an organizer for communicating with schools, workplaces, and healthcare teams.? Step-by-step insulin fundamentals (basal-bolus, pre-bolus, correction factors) with worked examples.? CGM mastery: reading trends, alarms, time-in-range goals, and when fingersticks still matter.? Hypoglycemia toolkit: rapid treatment, nocturnal strategies, and when to use glucagon.? DKA prevention playbook: ketone testing, hydration, sick-day dosing, and red-flag symptoms.? Food skills that scale: carb counting, estimating mixed meals, label reading, and dining out.? Active life made simple: exercise fuel, temporary basal targets, heat/altitude tips, and travel planning.