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Pump Starts and Upgrades


When it comes to diabetes management, there are different management options available. Insulin pump therapy is an alternative option to multiple daily injections for people living with type 1 diabetes. This therapy is popular in all age groups.Using a pump is a very personal decision. You can either manage your diabetes effectively with a pump or multiple injections. It all comes down to your preference.
While the insulin pump can effectively manage your diabetes, making the choice can be difficult without educated guidance from your diabetes team. Your Diabetes Educator will work with you to give you the information you need to address all your concerns.

What is an insulin pump?

Are you familiar with the electronic device worn on a belt, carried in a pocket, or attached by a belt clip and connected by thin plastic tubing to the infusion set? If yes, it’s very likely that you have seen a diabetes insulin pump.
It is a small battery-operated electronic device that holds a reservoir of insulin. Most insulin pumps available in Australia are smaller than the size of a mobile phone. These devices are programmed with your own personalised settings established by your diabetes team to deliver insulin into the body through a thin plastic tubing known as an infusion set.
The infusion set has a fine flexible cannula. This is inserted just below the skin where it stays in place for two to three days. Whenever a person living with diabetes eats, the person delivers a dose of insulin via the pump. This way, it imitates the way pancreas works in people without diabetes.
This is called a bolus dose. The pump is also programmed to deliver small micro doses of insulin over a 24-hour period when you are not eating; This is the basal insulin delivery replacing the need for long acting insulin .
Hybrid closed loop pumps, have an automated basal delivery system and when used with Continuous Glucose Monitoring system (CGM), controls the amount of basal insulin delivered in response to changes in your glucose levels helping to control your high and low glucose levels
While insulin pump therapy is a good alternative to manage your glucose levels, it isn’t for everyone. That is why it's best to consult with your Endocrinologist and Credentialled Diabetes Educator for the best insulin pump options that work for you.
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How does it help me manage my diabetes?

If you are one of the many people who is asking about the effectiveness of insulin pumps, several studies have proven that insulin pump therapy can reduce the frequency of severe hypoglycemia. It can improve a person’s quality of life by providing flexibility with eating times and dietary choices, more time in range with glucose levels, and assist with managing insulin doses and activity.
When it comes to insulin pump therapy, it is important to have realistic expectations. You need to regularly check your blood glucose and learn pump technology. Using continuous glucose monitoring in conjunction with pump therapy can have benefits with decision making, especially with interpreting glucose trends. Having a supportive relationship with your Diabetes team will help you with making changes with your pump when needed.

Different Kinds for Different Needs

At every stage of your life, living healthy with diabetes is always a matter of awareness – awareness of your condition, your body, and its changing demands.
For those who are new to insulin pump therapy, there are different kinds of pumps currently available. Discussing the different pumps and upgrades with your diabetes educator can help you understand the options that may suit your lifestyle so you can choose the best pump for you.
These are the different types of insulin pumps:
Traditional Insulin Pumps
These devices are commonly used. They have an insulin reservoir and a pumping mechanism. For the device to function, it is attached to the body with tubing and an infusion set. Both Medtronic and AMSL have pumps which utilise use CGM wirelessly to your pump. These devices use Bluetooth to your phone to help record your sensor glucose levels.
Insulin Patch and Miro Bolus Pumps
Insulin patch pumps are worn directly on the body with the same components as the traditional pumps but without the delivery tubing . Since the device is designed for convenience, people living with diabetes can use it with ease.

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Total Support, Overall Diabetes Management

Carolyn Nugent is a certified pump trainer for AMSL (T slimX2), Medtronic, Ypsomed and Omnipod insulin pumps. She conducts initial pump education and offers pump starts for people new to pump therapy.
TSDE offers pump upgrades for people currently using pump therapy or needing to upgrade their pump when it is out of warranty.
Total Support Diabetes Education will closely work with you – from the first consultation to the start-up day and thereafter – to ensure you have all the necessary information regarding your new technological device and to ensure your transition to pump therapy is a positive and supportive experience.
Insulin pump start packages are available. Please email for further information or you can make an appointment to discuss all your options.
$56.00 Medicare rebate is available for each consultation if you are referred under a Diabetes GP management care plan for the allocated visits.
Send an email by completing the contact form on the website if you require further information.

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Total Support Diabetes Education

Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions regarding my services. For all fee enquiries, please see the Services tab at the top of this page.