The Glucose Never Lies®
Welcome to The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast where science meets real-life experience to empower diabetes management.
I’m John Pemberton. I’ve lived with type 1 diabetes since 2008 and have spent nearly 20 years mastering both the science and art of managing it. Through personal experimentation, published research, and my work as a diabetes specialist dietitian, I’ve gained deep insights into what truly makes a difference.
When my son Jude tested positive for type 1 antibodies, I realised that all the knowledge in my head is wasted if I couldn’t communicate it in a way that was clear, actionable, and easy to come back to. So I built The Glucose Never Lies® Education Programme—a free resource designed to teach diabetes management exactly as I’d want people to understand it if they were looking after my son.
After battling a functional motor disorder for many years and recently experiencing a major depressive episode, I was eventually pulled out of that hole by friends, family, and professionals who helped me get back to being me. That experience taught me the power of giving—and this podcast is my way of giving back.
My cohost, Louise Collins, is a highly experienced diabetes nurse with over 20 years in the field. She brings a wealth of knowledge and her superpower is making complex diabetes science accessible and practical for everyday life. She is the best diabetes nurse I have ever worked with, and there have been some good ones! Most importantly, she keeps me in check and on point!
So, if you’re living with diabetes or supporting someone who is, we want to make things easier, clearer, and—importantly—more enjoyable.
We hope you enjoy the content. If you do, please share it with those who may like it too.
Disclaimer: The information shared on The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. While we discuss strategies and insights for diabetes management, this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your diabetes care plan.
The Glucose Never Lies®
2 - Mastering Control-IQ – The Spider-Man of AID Systems
Welcome to The Glucose Neverlies Podcast
In today’s episode, we are exploring the Tandem t:slim X2 with Control-IQ, a system that offers great power but also requires great responsibility. If you are considering this system or already using it, this episode will guide you through everything you need to know to make the most of Control-IQ.
With its highly customisable algorithm, multiple insulin profiles, and Activity and Sleep modes, Control-IQ provides a high degree of flexibility. However, much like Spider-Man’s abilities, this power requires understanding and maintenance. We will cover how the algorithm works, the key settings you need to get started, and essential tips and tricks to help you maximise your time in range. We will also discuss strategies for preventing and treating hypoglycaemia, managing high-fat meals, and adjusting for exercise to ensure you stay in control.
Control-IQ is built on three main components: the t:slim X2 pump, Dexcom G6/G7 or Libre 2 Plus (depending on where you live), and the onboard Control-IQ algorithm. Understanding how these elements interact is crucial for optimising the system. The algorithm adjusts insulin delivery based on manually set basal rates and correction factors, which provides both automation and control. However, achieving the best results requires effort, particularly in fine-tuning the correction factor, which is key to determining how aggressively the algorithm responds to high glucose levels.
We will also explore common challenges, including how to handle high-fat meals such as pizza, how to adjust for exercise, and how to prevent hypos before they happen. Whether you prefer a quick and simple approach or a more structured plan, we will guide you through how to manage Control-IQ effectively.
If you are ready to take control like Spider-Man, let’s get started.
For more information:
Mastering t:slim with Control IQ - The Spider-Man of AID Systems
