Managing Type 1 Diabetes at Work
Type 1 diabetes doesn’t take a day off
When you’re diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, you take on a full-time job with no breaks or days off. On top of taking on the responsibility of an essential organ, many people with type 1 diabetes are also employed in a professional capacity. Managing diabetes while working can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, it’s possible to pursue a successful work life with diabetes.
Here are some best practices for managing type 1 diabetes in the workplace:
Inform your colleagues about your diabetes.
If you prefer not to over share, you’re not alone! You don’t need to share every high or low blood sugar with your co-workers, but they should know that you have diabetes and what to do in case of an emergency. You can also speak to your manager or your Human Resources team about any accommodations you may need in the workplace.
Always carry back up supplies.
There’s no worse feeling than being unprepared! Whether you're working in the office, working remotely, in the field or traveling for work, always keep extra supplies with you. In addition to the supplies that I carry in my purse, I have a cosmetic pouch that I keep in my work bag that has sugar, test strips, syringes, a Dexcom sensor, and a Tandem infusion set. This gives me the confidence to manage my diabetes at work, even when challenges arise.
Wear a medical ID.
In addition to wearing medical devices and carrying diabetes supplies, wearing a medical ID can sometimes feel inconvenient or unnecessary, but it’s so important. My job often requires me to attend community events, which means I’m often interacting with new people that don’t know that I have type 1 diabetes. I always make sure that I wear a medical ID so if something happened to me, people could identify that I have diabetes. I encourage you to find a medical ID bracelet or necklace that fits your style - this will ensure that you’ll actually want to wear it.
Take your breaks!
We all experience busy days at work that may prevent us from taking breaks. However, taking breaks is crucial for your blood sugar and your mental well-being. I’ve learned that I am much more efficient in getting my job done when I have taken my lunch break to refuel my body and mind. Eating my lunch around the same time every day creates more consistency in my blood sugars as well.
Test and learn.
Does your job require you to be on your feet all day long and cause low blood sugars? Or does your sedentary job make your high blood sugars stubborn and difficult to get down? Testing and learning is one of the greatest skills that people with diabetes possess, and using this practice at work is key to consistent blood sugar levels. I found that I was making a lot of decisions about my diabetes at work, and it was hard to manage my diabetes with multiple daily injections. I started using the Tandem T-slim insulin pump with Control-IQ technology, and I found that I could get my work done without having to be consumed by extra decisions. Remember that everyone has a different diabetes management style, and you know your body, blood sugars and needs best!
Stop apologizing.
It can be easy to feel like a burden when a pump site change pulls you away from your desk or a low blood sugar alarm disrupts a meeting. Remember, managing your diabetes is your first job because without good health and good blood sugars, your second job, your work, can't get done. Is your blood sugar high and taking a walk will help get it down? Unapologetically, take the walk.
Managing type 1 diabetes at work can be challenging, but with the right tools and strategies, it’s possible to manage two jobs – being a full-time pancreas and succeeding in a professional capacity.
