General information & advice - Diabetes

If you're looking for trusted and comprehensive information on diabetes, visit the Diabetes UK website. From understanding the condition to managing it effectively, their website offers expert advice, practical tips, and support for everyone affected by diabetes. You can also find useful information on diabetes on the NHS website. Below we have listed some of the common topics around living with diabetes.

If you need specialist information and advice on all aspects of living with diabetes, you can call the Diabetes UK Helpline on 0345 123 2399, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Prediabetes means that your blood sugars are higher than usual, but not high enough for you to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. You will be at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. You are unlikely to be experiencing any symptoms with prediabetes.

Women with pre-existing Type 1 diabetes get the best chance of a healthy pregnancy, birth and postnatal period if their diabetes is well controlled before birth. If you have type 1 diabetes, you may be offered a hybrid closed loop system. This is a type of insulin pump that's connected to a continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The pump automatically gives you the right amount of insulin based on your glucose levels. It can improve your blood glucose levels compared to other ways of managing diabetes.

There’s more information about diabetes and pregnancy on the NHS website.

Gestational diabetes – for advice and information if you have been diagnosed with gestational diavetes please see the NHS website

Planning a healthy pregnancy when you live with type 2 diabetes – for advice please contact your GP or Diabetes Specialist Midwife contact details at:

East Berkshire: 0118 904 1780
West Berkshire: 0118 322 7245
Buckinghamshire: 01296 255790
Oxfordshire: 01865 851039

7 out of 10 people have felt overwhelmed by the demands of living with diabetes. Whether you’ve just been diagnosed or you’ve lived with diabetes for a long time, diabetes can emotionally and psychologically affect you and those close to you.

NHS Talking Therapies is a free NHS service for anyone aged 17+ who is experiencing anxiety or depression, offering short-term psychological therapies. You can find your local talking therapy service on the NHS website.

We also have information on free local mental health and wellbeing services available for Thames Valley ICB residents on our 'Your mental wellbeing' pages.

Digibete

Digibete helps young people, families and communities to manage Type 1 diabetes. Digibete is a video platform and app, and is a one-stop-shop for young people’s diabetes management.

To find out more, visit the Digibete website or download the app. You will need to ask your clinical for a valid app code to access support and education.

MyType1Diabetes

MyType1Diabetes is a free online platform to support adults to manage their Type 1 diabetes. The platforms include access to lots of information about diabetes including videos, leaflets and eLearning courses.

You can sign up via the My Type 1 Diabetes NHS webpage.

Continuous glucose monitoring and hybrid closed loop for diabetes

Continuous glucose monitors and hybrid closed loop systems are technology that can help people with diabetes manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels. They're available on the NHS for some people.

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a device for people with diabetes that lets you check your glucose (sugar) levels at any time.

It lets you see patterns in your levels and check if your blood glucose is too high or low. It can help you control your blood glucose levels, as you'll have more information and can take action.

A hybrid closed loop system (sometimes called an "artificial pancreas") is technology that allows a CGM to work together with an insulin pump to help you manage your blood glucose.

The CGM monitors your glucose levels all the time. A computer programme on your phone, or inside your insulin pump, uses this data to work out how much insulin you need. The pump then automatically gives you the right amount of insulin.

You'll still need to work out how much carbohydrate is in your food and drink, and put this data into the system before meals.

A hybrid closed loop system can improve your blood glucose levels, reduce the risk of hypos and make it easier to manage diabetes.

Useful links

Diabetes UK: Technology and diabetes

Apps for people with diabetes