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DIABETES MANAGEMENT
Your go-to hub for tips, tricks, and real talk on living boldly with diabetes
Dual-Hormone Systems Are Coming: Insulin + Glucagon Tech to Watch
Most diabetes technology today is built around one main job: delivering insulin. And or many people, automated insulin delivery systems have already made life a lot easier. But there’s still one missing piece. Your body doesn’t just use insulin. It also uses glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar when it drops too low. And now, companies are actively working on systems that use both. These are called dual-hormone systems, and they could represent one of the biggest shifts in diabetes tech in years. What Is a Dual-Hormone System? A dual-hormone system is simple in concept: it's designed to deliver both insulin to bring glucose down and glucagon to raise it back up. Instead of relying only on insulin and treating lows with glucose, these systems aim to automatically balance both sides, mimicking how a pancreas works. By delivering small doses of glucagon and insulin, these dual-hormone systems will reduce the need for constant intervention and hyper vigilance. What’s New in This Space Dual-hormone systems have been studied for years, but a few key shifts are moving things forward. More Stable Glucagon One of the biggest barriers has been glucagon stability. Traditional glucagon breaks down quickly once mixed, making it difficult to use in a pump. Newer formulations, like dasiglucagon, are much more stable and designed for continuous use. This has opened the door for real device development. More Advanced Algorithms Modern systems are getting better at coordinating insulin and glucagon delivery. Recent research shows: Improved time in range Fewer hypoglycemic events Better overall glucose stability These systems are learning how to balance both hormones in real time, which is a major step forward. Who’s Actually Building These Systems? This isn’t just theoretical. There are real companies working on this right now. Beta Bionics Beta Bionics is leading the charge with its iLet Bionic Pancreas. The current iLet system is insulin-only The platform is designed to support a dual-hormone version Ongoing trials are testing systems that use insulin + dasiglucagon Beta Bionics has partnered with companies like Xeris to support stable glucagon delivery, which is a key piece of making this work in real life. This is the closest system to becoming widely available in the future. Inreda Diabetic Inreda, based in Europe, has already developed a dual-hormone artificial pancreas system that delivers both insulin and glucagon. It has been used in limited real-world settings It mimics natural pancreatic function more closely than insulin-only systems While not widely available yet, it shows that dual-hormone systems can work outside of research environments. What’s Still Challenging There are still hurdles to overcome: Device complexity (two hormones instead of one) Cost and accessibility Regulatory approval timelines Real-world usability These systems are promising, but not ready for widespread use just yet. What to Expect in the Next 3–5 Years Here’s a realistic look at what’s ahead: Next 1–2 Years Continued clinical trials of dual-hormone systems More data presented at conferences like ATTD and ADA Refinement of glucagon formulations 2–3 Years Expanded real-world testing More companies entering the space Early regulatory conversations 3–5 Years Potential first broader commercial launches More user-friendly system designs Integration with existing CGMs and pump ecosystems Timelines can shift, but the momentum is clearly building. Final Thoughts We’re still early, but this space is moving faster than it has in years. With companies like Beta Bionics pushing forward and real-world systems already being tested, dual-hormone technology is becoming more tangible. It won’t replace everything overnight, but it could significantly decrease the number of decisions required every day, reducing the mental load of living with diabetes.
Read moreAre We Getting Closer to a Fully “Hands-Off” System?
If you use a CGM or insulin pump, you’ve probably had this thought at some point: “Will there ever be a system that just…handles it for me?” No carb counting, no constant adjustments, no mental math. Just something that works in the background so you can live your life. We’re not fully there yet, but we’re closer than ever. Recent updates from diabetes technology conferences like ATTD show that the industry is steadily moving toward more automated, lower-effort systems. Here’s what that actually means, and how close we are to a true “hands-off” experience. First, Where We Are Today (Quick Reality Check) Current systems like Control-IQ, Omnipod 5, Medtronic SmartGuard, twiist, and iLet already: Adjust insulin automatically Help prevent highs and lows Reduce overnight variability But they still rely on you for: Meal boluses Carb counting (or at least estimating) Managing unexpected situations So while they’re powerful, they’re not fully hands-off. What’s Actually Changing: The Tech Moving Us Forward Here’s where things get interesting and much more specific. 1. Systems That Can Detect Meals (Without You Saying Anything) One of the biggest barriers to full automation has always been meals. At ATTD, multiple research groups and companies presented progress toward systems that can: Detect when you’ve eaten Respond automatically with insulin Correct for missed or underestimated meals Some experimental systems are using AI and pattern recognition to identify meal-related glucose rises in real time without requiring manual carb input. What this means in real life: You forget to bolus…and your system steps in anyway. This alone is one of the biggest steps toward reducing daily decision-fatigue. 2. AI That Predicts What’s About to Happen We’ve had “smart” systems for a while, but what’s new is how predictive they’re becoming. Recent developments include: Algorithms that forecast glucose trends 30+ minutes ahead Systems that adjust insulin before a high or low fully develops AI models that process large amounts of CGM data to recognize patterns faster This is a shift from: reacting to glucose changes to preventing them before they happen 3. Continuous Ketone Monitoring Is Entering the Chat One of the most talked-about developments from ATTD: continuous ketone monitoring (CKM). Companies like Abbott are working on sensors that track both glucose and ketones simultaneously. Why that matters: Ketones provide context that glucose alone can’t They can signal risk earlier (like during illness or insulin disruption) They give automated systems more information to make better decisions This means that future systems won’t just know your number - they’ll understand your metabolic state, which will make automation safer and smarter. 4. Less Carb Counting, More “Good Enough” Input Another clear shift: systems are moving away from requiring precision. Instead of exact carb counts, we’re seeing: Simplified meal announcements (small/medium/large) Systems that correct for estimation errors Algorithms that learn your patterns over time This is especially visible in systems such as iLet, which already reduces the need for detailed setup. 5. Automation That Works for More People (Not Just One Type of User) At ATTD, companies such as Tandem shared data showing automated systems working across: Different insulin needs Different daily routines Broader populations, including type 2 diabetes This matters because: More variability = stronger algorithms Systems are being built to adapt, not assume 6. The Rise of “Co-Pilot” Systems Not every innovation is about full automation. There’s also a growing category of tools that act like a diabetes co-pilot: Apps that analyze your CGM data and suggest actions AI tools that flag patterns you might miss Systems that guide decisions without fully taking over These tools don’t replace you, but they reduce the mental load significantly. So… Are We Close to Fully Hands-Off? Closer than we’ve ever been, but not quite there yet. What’s still challenging: Insulin timing isn’t instant Meals vary too much to perfectly predict every time Activity, stress, and hormones still introduce variability Sensors and delivery systems aren’t perfect But here’s what has changed: We’re no longer just improving devices. We’re building systems that: Learn from you Predict what’s coming Fill in the gaps when you don’t act The Bigger Shift: From Management to Support The most important takeaway isn’t “full automation is coming.” It’s that diabetes tech is moving from something you manage to something that supports you in the background though: Fewer interruptions Less decision fatigue More trust in your system More space to focus on your life Final Thoughts A fully hands-off diabetes system isn’t here yet, but for the first time, we’re seeing real, concrete steps toward it through meal detection, predictive AI, multi-analyte sensors and adaptive algorithms. And while we’re still in the in-between, each update is doing something meaningful: Giving you a little more breathing room so you can live fearlessly.
Read moreDexcom vs Libre: What’s the Difference Between These CGMs?
If you wear a CGM, chances are you’ve wondered at some point: would the other one work better for me? Maybe your sensor doesn’t always last the full wear time, alerts feel overwhelming, or you’re curious about features you’ve heard other people talk about. Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre 3+ are two of the most widely used CGM systems, and both have their respective pros and cons list. While they ultimately serve the same purpose, the experience of wearing them day to day can feel quite different depending on things like wear time, alerts, integrations, and how they fit into your overall tech setup. In this guide, we’ll break down the practical differences between Dexcom and Libre so you can better understand what each system offers and why some people prefer one over the other. What Dexcom and Libre Have in Common At a basic level, Dexcom and Libre systems do the same thing: they continuously measure glucose levels through a small sensor worn on the body and send those readings to a smartphone or receiver. Both systems: Track glucose trends throughout the day Display readings on a mobile app Allow data sharing with caregivers or family members Reduce the need for frequent fingerstick testing They’re also both small and discreet, roughly the size of stacked coins, and worn on the skin for multiple days at a time. Dexcom CGM Systems Dexcom’s newest CGM is the Dexcom G7, their smallest CGM yet that will replace all G6 sensors after the announced discontinuation in July of 2026. Key features Wear time: 10 days or 15 days depending on the version, plus a 12 hour grace period Warm-up time: 30 minutes Glucose readings: every 5 minutes Alerts: customizable high, low, and predictive alerts Data sharing: Dexcom Follow allows up to 10 followers Integrations: Omnipod 5, Tandem t:slim X2, Tandem Mobi, and Beta Bionics iLet Bionic Pancreas One of Dexcom’s biggest strengths is device integration. Because of the wide variety of choice, Dexcom is often the CGM used in hybrid closed-loop pump systems. FreeStyle Libre CGM Systems Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre family has become one of the most widely used CGM platforms globally. The latest version compatible with closed loop systems is FreeStyle Libre 3+. Key features Wear time: 15 days Warm-up time: 60 minutes Glucose readings: every minute Very small sensor: one of the smallest CGM sensors available Data sharing: LibreLinkUp allows data sharing with up to 20 followers Integrations: Tandem t:slim X2, Beta Bionics iLet Bionic Pancreas, Sequel Med Tech twiist, and a Limited Market Release with Omnipod 5 Libre 3+ sensors is known for its long wear time and small profile, which many users find comfortable and discreet. Key Differences at a Glance Feature Dexcom G7 FreeStyle Libre 3+ Wear time ~10 days or 15 days (+12-hour grace period) ~15 days Warm-up time ~30 minutes ~60 minutes Glucose readings Every 5 minutes Every minute Sensor size 27mm x 23mm x 4.7mm 21mm x 2.9 mm Both systems are highly accurate and widely used, but the experience can feel different depending on what matters most to you. Which CGM Might Fit Your Lifestyle? Different people prioritize different things when choosing diabetes tech. Dexcom G7 may appeal to people who: Use (or want) an automated insulin delivery system Want predictive alerts for low glucose Prefer deeper integration with pumps and apps Libre 3+ may appeal to people who: Prefer longer sensor wear time Want a very small, discreet sensor Like a simple, streamlined CGM experience Ultimately, both systems provide valuable real-time glucose data that can help people understand patterns and make more informed decisions about their diabetes care. The Bottom Line Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre are two of the most advanced CGM platforms available today. Both offer powerful tools for understanding glucose trends, reducing fingersticks, and improving daily awareness. The right option often comes down to lifestyle preferences, device compatibility, and insurance coverage. No matter which system you use, the goal is the same: helping you stay informed, confident, and supported in your daily life with diabetes.
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