A STATE-of-the-art diabetes monitoring program is underway at the Lyell McEwin Hospital which could be a game changer for expected mums with the disease.

Since the start of this year, eligible people, including pregnant women, have taken part in a National Disabilities Service Scheme (NDSS) operation to offer continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) equipment free of charge.

Traditionally, diabetes sufferers have been required to constantly check their blood glucose levels are in a healthy range, as the disease limits or stops the body’s production of insulin, the hormone needed to break down glucose.

The new equipment though continually monitors a person’s blood glucose, allowing users to constantly be aware of their health at all times.

New mum Laura Cadieux was one person to benefit from the trial, saying it gave her peace of mind while she was getting ready to give birth to her son Zebediah.

“It’s been super useful during pregnancy because I can see that my blood glucose levels are going to go low or high and that I need to do something about it,” she said.

“It felt like he (Zebediah) was safer when I was pregnant because I could get better control without having to check my blood sugar levels all the time.

“They stress how important is to stay stabled (while you’re pregnant) otherwise there can be heaps of complications.”

Mrs Cadieux was diagnosed with type one diabetes when she was eight-years-old and has had to deal with regular finger-prick tests to test her blood sugar levels ever since.

After undertaking the trial, she hoped to see the equipment added to the Federal Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so it would be affordable for her and other diabetes sufferers.

“I found out it would be $90 a fortnight to keep on top of the sensor and you pay an extra $500-$600 for the new transmitter,” she said.

“That’s really quite unaffordable, especially once you go down to one wage now that Zebediah is born.”

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network diabetes nurse educator Brooke Firth said the equipment would make living with the disease easier.

“The portable CGM devices reduce the amount of daily finger pricks needed to check blood glucose levels with the ability to scan and provide levels, sending data to mobile phones and in some cases directly to insulin pumps, making it easier for people to monitor their own blood glucose levels,” she said.

“As part of our role we provide special expertise in the use of technology such as mobile phone apps, pumps, and CGM.”

Diabetes doctors make screening call

LOCAL diabetes specialists want northern residents to educate themselves on the disease’s symptoms as fewer people attend hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the National Diabetes Services Scheme, the northern Adelaide region has one of the highest rates of both type one and two diabetes diagnoses in Australia, with eight per cent of Playford Council residents having the disease.

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) head of diabetes and endocrine services Dr Anthony Zimmerman said screening for the disease was especially important for people in the northern suburbs.

“More than half a million Australians are living with undiagnosed type two diabetes so we need to ensure consumers are aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for, so they can go and get tested,” he said.

“We know early diagnosis paired with ongoing management and support are key to reducing the risk of diabetes complications.

“People with type two diabetes often do not have any symptoms but they may experience blurred vision, tiredness, and excessive thirst, while symptoms for type two diabetes can occur suddenly and may include frequent urination, excessive hunger, acetone breath, and unexplained weakness and fatigue.

“Pregnant women are also more vulnerable and if left unmanaged, diabetes can increase the risk of large birth weight babies at risk of jaundice and respiratory distress, birth defects and miscarriage.”

The Lyell McEwin Hospital offers information on the disease through its Diabetes Education Unit, but is seeing fewer people present for screening due to people avoiding hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the unit is encouraging people to use Diabetes Australia’s online risk calculator, with anyone who returns a score which indicates a risk for the disease to consult their doctor.

NALHN diabetes nurse educator Brooke Firth said the local health network was committed to ensuring people understand diabetes despite being disconnected from traditional health services.

“Our Unit provides both an assessment and management service for diabetes conditions that are beyond the scope of general practice and primary care, whilst also offering team led clinics for our patients,” she said.

“These clinics improve access for those with type one and type two diabetes where they can be seen by an endocrinologist, nurse educator and dietitian at the same time in one appointment, meaning patients and our clinicians can be more efficient with their time.”