In the News... Experimental new peptide for T2D, low-carb studies in kids, GLP-1 pill info, gaps in CGM access, fashion line honors a T1D icon, and more!
Episode Description
This week on Diabetes Connections In the News…
A new combination drug shows big weight loss and A1C improvements for people with type 2. New guidance aims to cut down on adults being misdiagnosed with the wrong type of diabetes. Could trying to keep your glucose too steady affect your quality of life? Very low-carb diets for kids with type 1, and new research on putting early-onset type 2 into remission. The FDA clears an app that recommends insulin dose changes directly to people using injections—and approves a once-a-week insulin for type 2.
Plus, new data on Lilly's daily GLP-1 pill, gaps in CGM access for type 2, and a surprising study looking at type 1 and the rotavirus vaccine.
And what do sex and running a marathon have in common? Two new studies look at type 1 diabetes, physical activity, and the risk of low blood sugar.
Check out all of our events like Moms' Night Out and Club 1921 here. Announcing Community Commericals! Learn how to get your message on the show here. Learn more about studies and research at Thrivable here Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible! Omnipod - Simplify Life All about Dexcom All about VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter here Here's where to find us: Facebook (Group) Facebook (Page) Instagram Check out Stacey's books! Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com
This week on Diabetes Connections In the News…
A new combination drug shows big weight loss and A1C improvements for people with type 2. New guidance aims to cut down on adults being misdiagnosed with the wrong type of diabetes. Could trying to keep your glucose too steady affect your quality of life? Very low-carb diets for kids with type 1, and new research on putting early-onset type 2 into remission. The FDA clears an app that recommends insulin dose changes directly to people using injections—and approves a once-a-week insulin for type 2.
Plus, new data on Lilly's daily GLP-1 pill, gaps in CGM access for type 2, and a surprising study looking at type 1 and the rotavirus vaccine.
And what do sex and running a marathon have in common? Two new studies look at type 1 diabetes, physical activity, and the risk of low blood sugar.
All that and more, coming up! It's all coming up right after this.
(AD BREAK)
Welcome! I'm your host Stacey Simms and this is an In The News episode.. where we bring you the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now. A reminder that you can find the sources and links and a transcript and more info for every story mentioned here in the show notes.
Super excited to tell you that we have joined the Health Podcast Library! Over the years, I've been asked to join a lot of networks – and I've thought about starting my own – but this is the first one that made sense to me. Health Podcast Library is a free place to find health podcasts from credible people and organizations. The creators and organizations producing each show are reviewed before it is listed. They believe sourcing matters. They don't pay me to be there and I'm proud to say I'm the first Diabetes Show featured on the Library to sign their The Health Content Integrity Pledge is a commitment from creators across all health topics and platforms to continuously work toward embedding evidence-based principles in their content creation and platform management. As creators of health-related content, we recognize our responsibility to provide accurate, transparent, and credible information that helps people make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Go check it out and if you're a health podcaster, consider joining.
https://healthpodcastlibrary.com/
Health podcast networks
Okay.. our top story this week:
XX
Eli Lilly says an experimental drug combination helped people with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes lose an average of 23.3% of their body weight over 48 weeks, while also improving A1C. The treatment, called eloraTZP, combines the experimental drug eloralintide with Lilly's approved diabetes and weight-loss medication Zepbound. At the highest dose, participants lost an average of 54.1 pounds. The results are notable because people with type 2 diabetes typically lose less weight with obesity medications than people without diabetes.
The study included 367 adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight. The combination targets three hormones involved in blood sugar, digestion and appetite: GIP, GLP-1 and amylin. Side effects, mainly gastrointestinal, were more common with the combination, and as many as 27% of participants taking eloraTZP stopped treatment. Lilly plans to begin phase 3 trials later this year.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/lilly-raises-weight-loss-bar-its-amylin-zepbound-combo
XX
New research suggests that for people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, keeping glucose as steady as possible may not always translate into a better quality of life. In a study of 400 people with diabetes, researchers found that spending more time in the normal glucose range was associated with better quality of life the following day. Surprisingly, greater glucose variability was also linked to better next-day well-being, as long as glucose remained within safe limits.
The findings, presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Milan, do not suggest that high or low blood sugar is beneficial. Instead, researchers say they may point to a tradeoff in diabetes management: the effort and restrictions involved in trying to eliminate every glucose fluctuation could sometimes interfere with everyday activities and enjoyment of life. The study combined continuous glucose monitor data with daily assessments of mood, energy, sleep, stress and overall well-being.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/09/260927225019.htm
XX
New guidance from the American Diabetes Association and European Association for the Study of Diabetes puts a major focus on correctly diagnosing type 1 diabetes in adults. The report says about 40% of people diagnosed with type 1 after age 30 are initially misdiagnosed as having type 2 diabetes. It emphasizes that type 1 can develop at any age and that adults with the condition may have overweight or obesity, so age and body size alone shouldn't be used to determine diabetes type.
The updated guidance recommends islet autoantibody testing when type 1 diabetes is suspected and, in some cases, C-peptide testing to determine how much insulin the body is still producing. It also discourages use of the term "LADA," or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, saying these cases are better classified as type 1 diabetes. The report also includes expanded guidance on diabetes complications, cardiovascular risk, obesity, exercise, nutrition and mental and emotional health.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/guidance-type-1-diabetes-management-adults-updated-2026a1001080
XX
Eli Lilly says its once-daily GLP-1 pill Foundayo, also known as orforglipron, lowered A1C and weight while demonstrating cardiovascular safety in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity or overweight who were at increased risk for heart problems. In the study, participants taking Foundayo lowered their A1C by 1.6 percentage points and lost an average of 8.8% of their body weight, or nearly 18 pounds, after one year. Those taking long-acting insulin lowered A1C by 1 percentage point and gained an average of 1.7% of their body weight.
Foundayo was also found to be at least as safe as insulin glargine when researchers looked at major cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke. The study also reported improvements in blood pressure, waist circumference and cholesterol, along with a slower decline in kidney function. The results were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Milan and published in The Lancet.
XX
A large Norwegian study found that type 1 diabetes diagnoses among young children increased after the country introduced routine rotavirus vaccination in 2014. Researchers followed more than 740,000 children and found that the rate of type 1 diabetes before age 5 was 11% higher than expected based on trends before the vaccine was introduced. The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting and published in Diabetologia.
Importantly, the study does not show that the rotavirus vaccine causes type 1 diabetes. When researchers compared fully vaccinated children directly with unvaccinated children, the difference in type 1 diabetes risk was not statistically significant. Researchers had been studying the vaccine because infections, including rotavirus, have been investigated as possible environmental factors affecting type 1 diabetes risk, and previous studies have produced conflicting results.
XX
A large study of children with type 1 diabetes found that very low- and low-carbohydrate diets were associated with better blood sugar control and lower insulin needs, without evidence of impaired growth or increased rates of severe low blood sugar or diabetic ketoacidosis. The research included more than 45,000 children ages 1 to 17 and used up to 25 years of data. The findings were presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Milan.
Children eating fewer carbohydrates also had smaller increases in BMI and A1C over time compared with those eating standard or higher-carbohydrate diets. However, researchers emphasized that this was an observational study, meaning it cannot prove that eating fewer carbohydrates caused these improvements. They say more research is needed to determine the long-term safety of these diets and how much carbohydrate may provide benefits while still supporting good nutrition and food variety.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-carbohydrate-diets-linked-health-benefits.html
XX
A structured diet and exercise program helped about half of younger adults with type 2 diabetes achieve remission, according to research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Milan. The study focused on adults ages 18 to 45 with obesity and early-onset type 2 diabetes, a form of the condition associated with faster progression and earlier complications.
Participants in the program followed a low-calorie diet of 800 to 900 calories per day for 12 weeks, along with supervised aerobic and strength training, before transitioning to a weight-maintenance diet and independent exercise. At 24 weeks, researchers measured how many participants had an A1C below 6.5% without taking glucose-lowering medication for at least 12 weeks. The researchers compared those results with participants receiving usual diabetes care.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-10-calorie-diet-early-onset-diabetes.html
XX
The FDA has approved Eli Lilly's Onswik, a once-weekly long-acting insulin for adults with type 2 diabetes. Instead of taking a daily basal insulin injection, people using Onswik will take one injection per week, potentially eliminating more than 300 injections a year. In studies involving more than 3,400 adults with type 2 diabetes, Onswik lowered A1C by amounts comparable to daily long-acting insulin.
Onswik is expected to become available in the U.S. in the coming months in pre-filled insulin pens. The insulin is approved for type 2 diabetes only and should not be used by people with type 1 diabetes because of an increased risk of severe low blood sugar. Onswik has already been approved in Europe, Japan and Mexico.
Onswik joins Novo's Awiqly – which I have to say are two of the more entertaining drugs names we've seen this year.
XX
Two small studies looked at how different physical activity affects glucose levels in people with type 1 diabetes. In one, researchers tracked 110 instances of sexual activity among 12 adults using continuous glucose monitors and found no clinically significant hypoglycemia, even when sex occurred at night. Glucose sometimes rose and sometimes fell, suggesting there isn't one predictable glucose response to sexual activity.
A separate study followed 10 runners with type 1 diabetes as they completed a marathon alongside 10 runners without diabetes. All of the runners with T1D finished, with times comparable to the control group, although one runner had two low blood sugar readings. Researchers also found that CGMs became less accurate during the marathon and suggested using a glucose meter when sensor readings don't match how a runner feels. Both studies were small, but researchers say the findings could help address fear of hypoglycemia, which can affect everything from exercise to intimacy.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-sex-safe-diabetes-small-glucose.html
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-09-marathons-diabetes-safe-small.html#goog_rewarded
XX
We told you about Beta Bionics iLet new compatibility with Senseonic's Eversense 365 CGM.. now the companies announce the MINT tubeless pump will also work with the year-long implantable CGM.
Commercial launch of the integrated iLet and Eversense 365 system is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, at which time Beta Bionics expects iLet to support the most CGM manufacturer options of any AID system, maximizing choice for its users.
The companies have also committed to the integration of mint and Eversense 365 in the future. This partnership underscores Beta Bionics' and Senseonics' shared commitment to bringing cutting-edge diabetes solutions to the market, while maximizing choice for people living with diabetes.
XX
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNDM), a leading insulin delivery and diabetes technology company, today announced that Tandem Mobi, the world's smallest, durable automated insulin delivery system for people living with diabetes,1 is now available in 12 countries outside the United States. The company is now taking orders and shipping to eligible customers in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
No word yet on the tubeless Mobi – still waiting to hear from the FDA on that.
Tandem Mobi is powered by Control-IQ+ technology, the predictive algorithm that automates insulin delivery. The system uses a Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitoring system to predict glucose levels 30 minutes ahead and automatically adjust insulin delivery every 5 minutes to help reduce high and low blood sugar. Tandem Mobi also offers multiple wear options, mobile app control through a compatible, personal iPhone,* and a 200-unit cartridge.
XX
Many people with type 2 diabetes still face barriers to using continuous glucose monitors, according to a new report from Dexcom. The company surveyed about 2,500 people with type 2 diabetes and more than 800 healthcare professionals across eight countries. More than half of people with diabetes said they knew little about CGM as a management option, while healthcare professionals pointed to insurance coverage and reimbursement as major barriers to access.
Among people with type 2 diabetes already using CGM, 94% said the technology helped them manage their diabetes more independently and 91% said they used CGM data to help make treatment decisions. The report also found limited awareness of using CGM alongside GLP-1 medications: 72% of people with type 2 diabetes surveyed did not know the two could be used together. The findings were released by Dexcom ahead of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting in Milan.
XX
Dexcom is facing a handful of lawsuits, alleging the company's CGMs malfunctioned and caused severe medical emergencies in children.
The latest lawsuits involve a 7-year-old California girl and a 10-year-old Tennessee girl who were both hospitalized after their Dexcom G7 devices allegedly failed to accurately report blood glucose levels.
The legal firm behind 11 of these suits say they involved G7 and G6 CGMs with plantiffs in six states.
XX
Frances Valentine, the fashion brand created by the late Kate Spade and her friend Elyce Arons, is dipping into the glamorous world of old Hollywood with a new Mary Tyler Moore collection that pays homage to the actress.
The limited-edition capsule features 20 pieces, including shirts, dresses, tote bags and, of course, shoes, all inspired by the Emmy-winning star's whimsical, upscale style. Prices start at $48 for a makeup clutch and go up to $498 for wool peacoats.
The lineup was co-created with the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative, an organization dedicated to "preserving and restoring vision in people with diabetes," per the nonprofit's website. Twenty percent of proceeds from the collection will benefit the cause, which was particularly meaningful to Moore.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, while Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder. Other public figures who have spoken about living with Type 1 diabetes include model Lila Moss, Dancing With the Stars pro Rylee Arnold and musician Nick Jonas.
The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative was established by Moore's husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, following her death in 2017.
XX
The FDA has cleared a new app that uses continuous glucose monitor and insulin data to recommend insulin dose adjustments directly to adults with type 2 diabetes who take insulin by injection. The app, called MODI and developed by DreaMed Diabetes, can provide personalized recommendations without requiring a healthcare provider to review or approve each individual dose change.
MODI is designed for adults with type 2 diabetes who use long-acting insulin, either alone or with rapid-acting insulin. While automated insulin dosing technology has largely focused on people using insulin pumps, MODI brings automated dosing support to people who use injections. The goal is to help adjust insulin more frequently between healthcare visits, rather than waiting weeks or months for a provider to make changes.
Interesting name – there is a type of diabetes called MODY - Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) is a rare, inherited form of diabetes caused by a single gene mutation that affects how the pancreas makes insulin.
https://dreamed.ai/press-releases/dreamed-receives-fda-clearance-for-modi/
https://diabetes-connections.com/we-treat-the-data-lifting-the-burden-of-diabetes-with-dreamed/
Proudly Supported by
Patrons of Health Podcast Library
Supporting Shows
