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Apps for managing type 1 diabetes

Apps can help you manage type 1 diabetes, from logging your insulin doses, glucose levels and the food you eat, to helping you count carbs and order prescriptions.
Content last reviewed and updated: 03.06.2024

A teenage boy looking at his mobile to view data from an app for managing type 1 diabetes

What type 1 diabetes apps are there for logging insulin, glucose levels and food?

mySugr

Roche’s mySugr app is a digital diabetes logbook. You can connect it to devices, like compatible blood glucose monitors and health trackers, to automatically upload data. You can manually add data too. It includes plenty of tags such as needle change, stress, work and alcohol which can help you keep track of what might be affecting glucose levels.

It also has a Bolus Calculator which calculates how much rapid-acting insulin you need for mealtimes or corrections, which you can use if you inject your insulin or use a pump.

mySugr has a free version and a paid version which has more features. It’s available on IOS and Android. Find out more on the mySugr website.

Diabetes M

Diabetes M is a digital diabetes logbook app which records how much insulin you’ve taken and when, your glucose levels and what you’ve eaten. You can also log exercise, medication and other health metrics like blood pressure, pulse and cholesterol.

The app allows tracking of injection sites on the body as well as where you’re doing your finger-prick tests. Diabetes M also has a built in Bolus Advisor to help you calculate how much insulin you need, whether you’re on injections or a pump user.

There is a free version of Diabetes M and a paid version with more features. It’s available on IOS and Android. Find out more on the Diabetes M website.

Quin

Quin is a diabetes management app which allows you to record lots of metrics including insulin doses, what you’ve eaten and physical activity. You can connect your flash glucose sensor to automatically record your glucose levels. It includes a ‘What’s Ahead Graph’ which predicts what your glucose levels will be five hours ahead and the ‘Insulin Phases’ function shows the strongest and weakest phases of insulin.

Quin is free but only available on IOS.

Type 1 diabetes apps from your device manufacturers

Whether you use flash glucose monitoringcontinuous glucose monitoring or finger prick measurement, most glucose measurement systems have an app that can help you review your patterns. Visit the website of the manufacturer of your device to find out more.

Is there an app for counting carbs?

Carbs and cals

Carbs and Cals is a quick and easy way to find out about the nutrients in your meal. You take a photo of your meal and the app searches its library of over 19,000 foods to give you the nutritional information you need. It includes meals at popular restaurant chains and food brands, making eating out on-the-go easier.

There is a free version and a paid version with more features. It’s compatible with iOS and Android. Find out more on the Carbs and Cals website.

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal app includes a database of over 14 million foods so you can find out nutritional information about what you’re eating, including the amount of carbs. It has a handy barcode scanner for ready-made products and you can also add your own foods.

There is a free version and a paid version which has more features. The app is compatible with iOS and Android. Find out more at My Fitness Pal.

Ordering insulin and pump supplies online

Online pharmacies and pharmacy apps

Online pharmacies and pharmacy apps allow you to order repeat prescriptions of what you need to manage your type 1 without having to log into your GP’s online system to make a request. You can have your order posted to a convenient address or, depending on where you’re located and the urgency of your prescription, collect in-store at a specific pharmacy.

Online pharmacies include Pharmacy2ULloyds Direct and iPharm.

Insulin needs to be kept cool so online pharmacies use special packaging for keeping them safe in transit.

Make sure you order what your need while you still have at least a week’s worth of supplies in case there is a delay in delivery.

Depending on what prescriptions you get and how you’re supposed to take them, a pharmacy app may also be able to prompt you to reorder when you’re likely to be running low. This means you have a chance to organise a blood test if it’s time to check your levels, and if need be, your prescription can be changed before you run out of your previous prescription.

Ordering insulin pump supplies

If you order your insulin pump supplies by phone, you can probably order them online as well. Check the website of the company that makes your pump to see if they have an online shop or give them a call. You may even be able to set up a regular repeat order – giving you one less thing to remember in your busy life.

Pump companies generally recommend placing a new order just as you open the last box of supplies from your previous order (so that in case of any delays, you don’t run out before the new order gets to you).

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Kamil Armacki and Melissa Holloway for researching this article.

Kamil is Nerdabetic on YouTube

Please note: the app developer is solely responsible for their app’s advertisement, compliance and fitness for purpose. These apps are not supplied or endorsed by Breakthrough T1D UK. Some of these apps below are currently free, some have to be paid for. It is the user’s responsibility to be aware of any costs that may be involved, now or in the future.

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Explore other type 1 tech

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Smart insulin pens

A smart insulin pen is a reusable self-injection pen, which records information about how much insulin you inject and the timing of it.

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Blood glucose meters

Blood glucose meters measure the amount of glucose in the blood. They are an important part of managing your blood glucose levels.

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Continuous glucose monitoring

Continuous glucose monitoring can help you manage your glucose levels in real-time and relieve the burden of having to do multiple finger prick tests throughout the day.

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Flash glucose monitoring

A flash glucose monitor is a small wearable device that you scan with a reader or mobile phone to check your glucose levels.

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Hybrid closed loop (artificial pancreas)

Hybrid closed loop technology – also known as the artificial pancreas – automates many of the decisions that you have to make on a daily basis when you have type 1 diabetes.

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Open source and DIY systems

Open source and DIY systems are sometimes used by people with type 1 diabetes or people caring for someone with type 1 to help manage the condition.

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Apps for managing type 1 diabetes

Apps can help you manage type 1 diabetes, from logging your insulin doses, glucose levels and the food you eat, to helping you count carbs and order prescriptions.