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2023-09-24

Welcome to News from Loop and Learn

Master Your DIY Closed-Loop Insulin Delivery System

Published on 11 January 2024.

In this edition (so far):

Upcoming Zoom Sessions

Zoom Sessions use this link:

Topic Recorded? Time Date
Loop and Learn: Informal Discussion no 19:00 UTC 11 January
Loop and Learn: Informal Discussion no 19:00 UTC 8 February
Loop and Learn: Informal Discussion no 19:00 UTC 14 March

This is the first session of this year. The schedule is the second Thursday of each month.

Time Zone Converter

Need help figuring out when an event happens in your time zone? Try the SavvyTime: UTC Converter.

Do you have a Diabuddy?

Definition: A Diabuddy is someone who can help you with your diabetes when you need it.

Diabuddies are the best! They’re not just friends with diabetes in common, but they offer encouragement and support like few other people can. They can also be supportive by sharing data for safety’s sake, through such apps as Nightscout, Loop Follow, Gluroo, Happy Bob, Dexcom Follow, or Sugarmate. Some of our diabuddies have helped each other by calling to check in during nighttime low alarms and have even managed Loop remotely during surgeries! We urge you to get a diabuddy and make a plan for when help is needed.

Think ahead: If you have a medical procedure that may leave you confused or sleepy - make sure you have someone who will check that your pump is working properly afterward. Or you could make plans to add a long-acting insulin option. Be safe - avoid DKA.

Nightscout News

There are several services that provide hosting of your Nightscout site as listed in the Nightscout Documentation.

This news refers to two specific hosting services.

  • NS10be is offering a 25% discount off their Nightscout hosting services, including all active subscriptions, until March 1, 2024

    • For new users, use the discount code 2024BE
    • For existing users, no action needed, your discount is automatically applied

  • For those who use Nightscout Pro as their hosting service, there is a new app to make it easier to adjust your own configuration variables

    • See the free app in the App Store
    • This is only useful for active subscribers

Frequently Asked Questions

Some recent frequently asked questions on Facebook involve the use of the Loop app in what I’ll call “non-conventional” (for a closed-loop system) ways. Here is helpful info from the LoopDocs website on these two topics:

  • Open Loop
    • We recommend running the Loop app with Closed-Loop disabled when just starting out
    • After settings are dialed in and you’re up and running, we recommend running the Loop app with Closed-Loop enabled for almost every situation
  • Extended Bolus
    • This is not a feature provided by the Loop app, however an explanation of how to simulate one in Open mode is provided at that link
    • This involves use of Manual Temporary Basal feature - see the warning below
  • WARNING: When a Manual Temporary Basal is enacted, the Loop app will not change insulin delivery for any reason until the Manual Temporary Basal duration ends or is manually turned off
    • This means that, even if your glucose values are dropping, when you have a Manual Temporary Basal set to deliver insulin, the Loop app will not override your instructions
    • This also means that if your glucose values are high and your need insulin delivered, when you have a Manual Temporary Basal set to 0 U/hr, the Loop app will not start delivering insulin

Do Not Make a Double Entry

Beware the double Carb Entry, which could result in 2X the bolus you need! Please see this section of the LoopDocs website for information on meal entries.

If you hit Save and Bolus and the bolus does not go through for any reason, those carbs are still saved in the Loop app. Do not enter them again.