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    • 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      Do you know how to test for ketones? Please share more in the comments.
      I test when I have unexpected, or stubbornly high blood glucose that just won't go down. I also test when I feel sick. Testing, for me, involves putting urine on a strip, either by peeing directly or dipping the strip into urine. I may use about 2 or 3 strips in a year. When I test positive, I increase my insulin dosage to a "sick day" level, which can be anywhere from 125% dosage to 400%. I usually start with small increases in dosage, and work my way up until my blood glucose levels even out.
    • 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      Do you know how to test for ketones? Please share more in the comments.
      I have a blood ketone monitor. It works just like a glucometer.
    • 2 hours, 53 minutes ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Do you know how to test for ketones? Please share more in the comments.
      Perhaps only the poets who love alliteration could love the phrase, “killer ketones.” The ungodly pain experienced is your body eating and devouring itself. 🥵 Ketones are relentless killers. Do not give the bad guys a chance.
    • 2 hours, 58 minutes ago
      atr likes your comment at
      Do you know how to test for ketones? Please share more in the comments.
      I test when I have unexpected, or stubbornly high blood glucose that just won't go down. I also test when I feel sick. Testing, for me, involves putting urine on a strip, either by peeing directly or dipping the strip into urine. I may use about 2 or 3 strips in a year. When I test positive, I increase my insulin dosage to a "sick day" level, which can be anywhere from 125% dosage to 400%. I usually start with small increases in dosage, and work my way up until my blood glucose levels even out.
    • 3 hours, 34 minutes ago
      Judith Halterman likes your comment at
      Do you know how to test for ketones? Please share more in the comments.
      Perhaps only the poets who love alliteration could love the phrase, “killer ketones.” The ungodly pain experienced is your body eating and devouring itself. 🥵 Ketones are relentless killers. Do not give the bad guys a chance.
    • 21 hours, 28 minutes ago
      Anthony Harder likes your comment at
      Do you have ketone testing strips?
      Hi, Marty. Does your specialist have a source for that claim? It makes little sense that ketones would rise faster than BG since the metabolic pathway is much slower. If there's a source, however, I'd look further into the claim. FWIW, I've been a Type 1 for over 50 years; I can't remember the last time I tested for ketones. I possess no ketone testing strips.
    • 2 days ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      Does your insurance cover injectable glucagon, nasal glucagon, or both?
      Covers it with co pay
    • 2 days, 1 hour ago
      atr likes your comment at
      Does your insurance cover injectable glucagon, nasal glucagon, or both?
      It covers both. I prefer to have the the nasal version as I think it would be easier for someone else to administer.
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you have a non-expired glucagon prescription?
      I’ve been T1D for 60 years. As a child my mother didn’t like needles or injections so she just fed me when low. In college, explained use to dorm mates and classmates would’ve been a waste of time. Now married, my wife assumed the role of my mother and doesn’t like using needles on me either. I don’t have glucagon.
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you have a non-expired glucagon prescription?
      Yes, always have one or two nasal glucagon kits (Baqsimi) at home in easy to reach locations (ie at bedside and special container in living area) and always keep one with me when I go out ( along with glucose tabs or other simple carbs for treating LBS.). I apparently required injectable glucagon several times as a child and needed injectable glucagon only twice as an adult, both more than 15 years ago . More recently I needed my husband to give me Baqsimi after eating a difficult to dose for, high fat meal. The experience was terrifying so I don’t go anywhere without it now.
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Do you have a non-expired glucagon prescription?
      I actually have 2 non-expired prescriptions. One for Baqsimi and one for Gvoke. I have not filled either of them because they’re $500-600 each.
    • 2 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Does your insurance cover injectable glucagon, nasal glucagon, or both?
      My Medicare Part D essentially doesn't cover glucagon when any form is nearly $500!
    • 2 days, 18 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      Do you have a non-expired glucagon prescription?
      Same here. Been as low as 19 (struggling with a vacuum cleaner bag and refused to let it win) but was still able to swallow food. I did used the “red needle” as my husband refers to it once when I went low but was scheduled for surgery and couldn’t eat or drink anything. Only once in 26 years. Fortunate.
    • 3 days, 13 hours ago
      Karen Newe likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related books in the comments:
      Marcus Aurelius Meditations for the benefits of stoicism. Dante’s Inferno for the nine levels of diabetic hell. Kristen Lavransdatter for the benefits of suffering. And best of all, Cervantes Don Quixote for the absurdity of tilting at so many worthless windmills of frenzied diabetic activity.
    • 4 days, 1 hour ago
      Natalie Daley likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related books in the comments:
      Marcus Aurelius Meditations for the benefits of stoicism. Dante’s Inferno for the nine levels of diabetic hell. Kristen Lavransdatter for the benefits of suffering. And best of all, Cervantes Don Quixote for the absurdity of tilting at so many worthless windmills of frenzied diabetic activity.
    • 4 days, 2 hours ago
      atr likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related books in the comments:
      Marcus Aurelius Meditations for the benefits of stoicism. Dante’s Inferno for the nine levels of diabetic hell. Kristen Lavransdatter for the benefits of suffering. And best of all, Cervantes Don Quixote for the absurdity of tilting at so many worthless windmills of frenzied diabetic activity.
    • 4 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related podcasts in the comments:
      I don't do T1 podcasts.
    • 4 days, 3 hours ago
      Lawrence S. likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related books in the comments:
      Marcus Aurelius Meditations for the benefits of stoicism. Dante’s Inferno for the nine levels of diabetic hell. Kristen Lavransdatter for the benefits of suffering. And best of all, Cervantes Don Quixote for the absurdity of tilting at so many worthless windmills of frenzied diabetic activity.
    • 4 days, 3 hours ago
      Gary Taylor likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related books in the comments:
      Marcus Aurelius Meditations for the benefits of stoicism. Dante’s Inferno for the nine levels of diabetic hell. Kristen Lavransdatter for the benefits of suffering. And best of all, Cervantes Don Quixote for the absurdity of tilting at so many worthless windmills of frenzied diabetic activity.
    • 4 days, 14 hours ago
      Amanda Barras likes your comment at
      Which T1D influencers do you enjoy following?
      Currently it’s the Diabetech, Justin Easter.
    • 5 days ago
      ChrisW likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related podcasts in the comments:
      I don't do T1 podcasts.
    • 5 days ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related podcasts in the comments:
      TCOYD Diabetes Nerd Your Best T1D Year Think Like a Pancreas
    • 5 days ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related podcasts in the comments:
      Take Control of Your Diabetes
    • 5 days, 2 hours ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      Share some of your favorite T1D-related podcasts in the comments:
      Take Control of Your Diabetes
    • 5 days, 19 hours ago
      Kathy Hanavan likes your comment at
      Which T1D influencers do you enjoy following?
      And TCOYD
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    Do you dispose of used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps in a dedicated sharps container? For this question, “sharps container” includes heavy-duty plastic containers such as an empty laundry detergent bottle or plastic coffee container.

    Home > LC Polls > Do you dispose of used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps in a dedicated sharps container? For this question, "sharps container” includes heavy-duty plastic containers such as an empty laundry detergent bottle or plastic coffee container.
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    How useful is the time in range measurement to you as a tool for assessing your T1D management and making changes to your routine?

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    In what year were you (or your loved one) diagnosed with T1D?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard has worked in the diabetes research field ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Marketing Manager at T1D Exchange.

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Their collective expertise is central to our mission of improving outcomes for all people living with T1D.  “We’re excited to be working with our advisors given their deep expertise across a broad range of areas in T1D,” said Dave Walton, CEO of T1D Exchange. “Their involvement magnifies our reach, knowledge, and impact. These advisors are shaping the future of diabetes care — driving innovation across research, clinical practice, and quality improvement.”    Meet the Medical & Research Advisory Team  The T1D Exchange Medical and Research Advisory Team brings together four leading endocrinologists, each offering a unique perspective and shared commitment to advancing T1D care:    Jenise Wong, MD, PhD Pediatric endocrinologist at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco Focus areas: Diabetes technology adoption and usability; health equity and access to care and technology; community-based and peer-support interventions; culturally responsive care          Jennifer Sherr, MD, PhD Pediatric endocrinologist at Yale Medicine and Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut Focus areas: Clinical trials in diabetes technology (CGM and AID systems), disease-modifying treatments and immunotherapies, and emerging technologies and medications, including continuous ketone monitoring and nasal glucagon     Viral Shah, MD Adult endocrinologist at Indiana University Health and Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana Focus areas: Diabetes technology and adjunctive therapy trials; translational and data-driven research; T1D complications and bone health         Nestoras Mathioudakis, MD, MHS Adult endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland Focus areas: AI-driven clinical support tools; EMR-based data analytics for clinical decision making; data-driven quality improvement; health equity in T1D care        This accomplished team’s expertise spans adult and pediatric endocrinology, research, and quality improvement affiliated with leading institutions nationwide. 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    26 Comments

    1. Ahh Life

      I struggle with this question.

      Often is my answer. The ones that are used.

      The unused are usually disposed of in normal trash. The thinking being is they pose no risk of Aids or disease to sanitation workers. Is this line of thing correct or warranted?

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Andrew Aronoff

        Per the reply by jo above, the person that gets stuck doesn’t know the material is clean. Any sharp, used or not, is best disposed of per your local policy. In France, where I live, sharps containers are distributed by the pharmacy and, once full, any pharmacy is obligated to accept them. If the sharp is unused and not expired, the pharmacy can submit it to a professional channel for recycling.

        2
        3 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Lawrence S.

      I always dispose of all of my sharps in a dedicated sharps container. It is safe for others. Over the years, I have seen and heard stories about people who have stepped on, or found sharps at beaches, around land fills, and just on the streets.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Yaffa Steubinger

      I use a large, empty, plastic coffee container and when full, I duct tape the lid to it and toss in garbage.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. Lori Lehnen

      Our town provides free sharps containers as well as a bin at the town hall to dispose of the sharps containers.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. jo

      I put all of my diabetes supplies in a heavy duty laundry detergent container and bring it to the medical collection drop off where I live. I had an Uncle who was a sanitation worker and he got stuck many times by syringes. It doesn’t matter to the person getting stuck that the pen needle or the syringe was never used or that you don’t have any diseases, because they don’t know that. When ever he got stuck he had to go through a protocol of different shots and tests. So I am always very careful.

      8
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. Marty

      Putting sharps in the regular trash is not allowed in my area. I use a large dedicated sharps container under my bathroom sink with pre-paid return shipping. I’ve been working on filling it up for ~12 years. I understand that some local pharmacies and hospitals accept sharps but I’ve never investigated further. I seal nonmedical sharps, like broken glass or razor blades, in a tough plastic container before adding to my regular trash. I don’t want to hurt anyone.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. George Lovelace

      I’ll be glad when Dexcom releases the G7, I’ve been using a 5 Gal. Sharps container and filled 2 of them with G6 Injectors

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. Judith Marged

      I used to use a container and take it to my doctor’s office or pharmacy. The doctor retired and the new doctor won’t accept the containers. The pharmacy is also no longer accepting containers. But, I also no longer have a need for the containers.

      I use Afrezza as my quick acting insulin, so there are no needles to dispose of. For my basal injections, I use the BD Autoshield Duo. After use, the needles are self-contained in the device itself, so they can be safely disposed of.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Joan Benedetto

      Yes, as you described, then taped shut, marked “Sharps”. This is on directing of our county’s waste management company.

      2
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. S Hernandez

      Amazon sells these cute travel sharps containers that I have in my daily diabetes supplies. I have used a heavy duty laundry container in the past.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Cristina Jorge Schwarz

      I collect in any thick plastic container. Then I follow my state’s law to wrap in tape to secure the lid, mark with SHARPS. it can then go in the regular trash.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Chrisanda

      Everything except lancet needles. For those I reattach the safety cap and throw in trash.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. William Bennett

      Used a 2-liter club soda bottle back when I was on MDI. With a pump, I use that snazzy tubular container my single malt scotch* comes in. It’s not perfect, but lid stays on really tight, the tube is heavy cardboard and not penetrable, and none of my D stuff would be very easy to poke yourself on accidentally–you’d have to work at it.

      *Balvenie Doublewood, 12 year-old.

      3
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. ConnieT1D62

      I use empty plastic flip-top Clorox wipes containers. I write SHARPS on the side and top with permanent maker. When full I seal with heavy duty tape and drop off at local medical waste collection site affiliated with nearby hospital.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Amber Lathrop

      My community has a sharps container exchange program through the fire department. I drop off my full container and get a new empty one.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Jeannie Hickey

      All needles get cut with dog nail clipper & dropped into Sharps container. Syringes (no needle) get tossed into plastic trash.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Pauline M Reynolds

      I throw lancets, G6 sensors, and autofills in the trash, put syringe needles in the autofill container and cap it, Hmmm. Maybe I should do differently?

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Joan Johnson

      I use a BD Safe-Clip. It is small, holds many clipped needles, and allows me to dispose the syringes in the regular trash since they have no needles.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Molly Jones

      I have never put the Dexcom sensor inserter into the sharps container. I just spent some online time looking into to how to accomplish this task and will start to do so.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Jim Andrews

      My infusion sets come in a plastic container that snaps closed. The syringe needle goes into it and goes in the trash.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. KarenM6

      I dispose of all needles (even if not used) in a “sharps container. The state I live in requires that I use a said sharps container (with all the proper labelling, etc) and it can _not_ be thrown in the trash. I either have to use a service (like Stericycle) or drive to the dump that accepts medical waste a few times a year.
      The Dexcom G6 inserters are the the hardest. I whack them open with a hammer and just put the needle device thingy in my sharps container. (This was the recommended solution I received from a fellow T1D.) The rest of the plastic stuff has to go into the trash.

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Mark Schweim

      My only sharps are the infusion set inserter needles and my Dexcom sensor inserters. Both of those are designed with packaging that IS QUALIFIED AS self contained approved sharps disposal container local law says can go in trash.
      My syringes used to fill pump cartridges have needles that I remove , but I haven’t gotten rid of them in years and can’t afford expense of proper disposal so plan on taking them to work to toss into the sharps disposal container they have in the bathroom.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. Linda Pease

      I put in a box and then burn it in a burn barrel til all is gone

      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. RegMunro

      I return all used needles to the pharmacy for waste management

      1
      3 years ago Log in to Reply
    25. Lisa McBride

      Although our pharmacies sell the containers, they don’t take them back once filled and our town has no plan for how they are to be disposed of. So, sadly, it is pointless. PA is way behind in proper recycling and waste management measures.

      3 years ago Log in to Reply

    Do you dispose of used needles, syringes, lancets, and other sharps in a dedicated sharps container? For this question, "sharps container” includes heavy-duty plastic containers such as an empty laundry detergent bottle or plastic coffee container. Cancel reply

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