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People on MDI have had one generation of CGM technology: a sensor that tells you what your glucose is doing now, with a 15-minute trend arrow. While pump users have moved through five iterations, injection users have been waiting. The Accu-Chek SmartGuide is the first attempt at a second generation - and this episode asks whether it delivers.

Amy Jolley is a Highly Specialised Dietitian, Lead Educator at the Diabetes Technology Network UK, and Lead for the Young Adult and Transition Service at Salford NHS Foundation Trust. This episode is not endorsed by Roche Diagnostics, but the experience of a healthcare professional's experience of putting 17 people onto the SmartGuide in one week, running group onboarding sessions, and asking them to come back and tell her what actually happened. Her host, John Pemberton, is founder of The Glucose Never Lies® and a person living with T1D.

This episode covers:
- Why MDI has been stuck at Generation 1 while pump technology moved through five iterations
- Night Low Predict: RAG ratings, first-half versus second-half of the night, and how to teach it
- Glucose Predict: the 45-minute action window versus the two-hour awareness window
- What 17 early adopters actually reported back
- How the 45-minute look ahead reduces the rage bolus
- Why calibration is an educational opportunity, not a drawback
- CGM market saturation and the DTN quality standard
- The DTN Competency Assessment Framework: four tiers, self-assessment, a training passport for clinicians
- GNL Grace in clinical practice: Amy's feedback from a specialist service supporting 700 AID users

Show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/accu-chek-smartguide-mdi-cgm-series/

Have more questions? Ask GNL Grace, a diabetes educational advisor built by a team with skin in the game. Grace gets you 80% of the way there with 20% of the effort; the final 20% takes self-discovery, guided by human expertise and trial-and-error learning. https://theglucoseneverlies.com/gnl-grace/

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Disclaimer
This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design
We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donat

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Michael Skarlatos from Abbott UK Medical Affairs joins John Pemberton for the second manufacturer episode of the CGM Series. A former diabetes specialist dietitian at University Hospitals of Leicester, Michael brings real clinical experience to an honest breakdown of the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus and 3 Plus.

This episode covers:
- Why Abbott accuracy data qualifies these sensors for insulin dosing: ICGM approved, 20/20 performance ~95-96%, outside-40/40 error rate 0.2%
- What 70% smaller means in practice: form factor, stigma, and the all-in-one applicator on Libre 3 Plus
- Pump integrations now and the roadmap: CamAPS FX, Omnipod 5, and what is coming
- Libreview: why Abbott moved off Glooko and what population health management enables
- Libreview Pro in SystmOne and EMIS with SNOMED-coded CGM metrics
- A critical data nuance: glucose measured every minute on the patient app but recorded every 5 minutes in clinical downloads
- Continuous ketone monitoring: what Abbott has in development and who benefits most

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and CGM Series overview
00:57 Michaels background and Leicester NHS Trust
02:25 Moving from NHS to Abbott Medical Affairs
03:27 Accuracy credentials: ICGM approval and 20/20 performance
05:44 FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: size and form factor
09:25 Pump integrations: CamAPS FX, Omnipod 5, and the roadmap
10:19 ICGM interoperability: US vs CE marking in Europe
12:05 Fifteen-day wear period
12:28 Abbott market history: free samples and patient-led adoption
14:04 Simplicity of onboarding and multi-language support
16:58 Starter clinics: taking onboarding off the HCP
19:33 Libreview and population health management
23:21 EHR integration, SNOMED codes, and QOF implications
25:46 Practical tips: Bluetooth connectivity and the app cache
29:23 Minute-by-minute data vs five-minute trend recording
30:58 Low glucose event thresholds and hypo underreporting
31:42 Continuous ketone monitoring: what is coming from Abbott
37:52 CGM beyond type 1 and patient advocacy
40:17 Closing thoughts

LINKS
Show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-38-freestyle-libre-abbott/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/IW1sa5APHU8
CGM Series: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/10-13-cgm-series/
GNL Explorers: https://theglucoseneverli

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Three months ago, GNL was a website full of excellent content that was genuinely hard to find. In Episode 38, John Pemberton and Creative Director Anjanee Kohli talk through what happened next: a complete website rebuild, five interactive explorers, the launch of GNL Grace, real-world validation on 1.5 million patient days, and what the Robin Hood model of type 1 diabetes education actually means.

In this episode:

• CGM guide update and the five-out-of-five accuracy chart
• How the five GNL Explorers work and how clinicians are using them in practice
• GNL Grace: a bounded AI educational advisor built on 2,000 curated citations
• Three Grace tiers: Basic (free), Pro (30 queries/month for subscribers), Max (manuscript-grade output)
• The Robin Hood model: industry grants fund free education for everyone
• Real-world validation: 33 assessments on 1.5 million patient days
• Why the skill of the future in healthcare is compassion, not knowledge
• Phil Hayes joining as Technical Director
• GNL merch and the Diabetes UK giveaway

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:55 GNL Grace announcement
• 02:32 CGM guide and accuracy chart
• 05:30 Phil Hayes and the explorer infrastructure
• 09:40 GNL Grace: the six-layer bounded AI
• 10:50 Grace tiers and the Robin Hood model
• 13:31 Grace Max: manuscript-grade output
• 17:31 Real-world validation on 1.5 million patient days
• 19:58 The skill of the future is compassion
• 30:09 What went wrong and lessons learned
• 35:06 GNL merch
• 36:10 Closing

Links:

• Show notes: theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-38-quarterly-review
• GNL Grace: theglucoseneverlies.com/gnl-grace
• GNL Explorers: theglucoseneverlies.com/gnl-explorers
• CGM Series hub: theglucoseneverlies.com/10-13-cgm-series

Host: John Pemberton. Director of Creativity: Anjanee Kohli.

This content is for educational exploration only. It is not medical

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Most people with T1D have switched their CGM high alert off. Not because they do not care - because it goes off every time they eat and there is nothing they can do about it. Episode 37 is about what Dexcom built to fix that.

Adam Dawes, Senior Medical Affairs Manager at Dexcom UK and Ireland - and a former paediatric diabetes nurse specialist - joins John Pemberton for the third manufacturer episode of the CGM Series. An honest clinical conversation about the Dexcom G7 and ONE+, what separates them, and where Dexcom is heading next.

This episode covers:
- Dexcom G7 vs Dexcom ONE+: same hardware platform, different software, and what that means for matching the right sensor to the right patient
- Delay 1st Alert: why it is one of the most underused alerts in CGM, how it eliminates alarm fatigue without reducing safety, and how John uses it himself
- AID integrations: Tandem T:slim X2, Omnipod 5, mylife, and the Tandem Mobi
- CGM for type 2 diabetes: the biofeedback argument and why immediate glucose feedback changes behaviour in ways a quarterly HbA1c never can
- The Dexcom roadmap from ATTD 2026: 15-day sensor, Dexcom G8 next generation sensor, EPIC integration, Clarity updates, and generative AI
- Why insulin dosing will never be a commodity market - and what people with T1D need to understand as new CGMs enter the UK
- The FDA manufacturing findings: what happened, how Dexcom responded, and why the new Ireland factory matters

Show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-37-dexcom-g7-one-plus/ | CGM Series: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/10-13-cgm-series/

Have more questions about CGM, the Dexcom G7 or ONE+? Ask GNL Grace: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/gnl-grace/

Support GNL: https://buy.stripe.com/9B63cx4UO3KEdKC0Sp7Re00

The Glucose Never Lies® is a registered trademark of The GNL Ltd. Company No. 16733595. UK VAT No. GB 516 3272 08.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

Suggest guests or get in contact

CGM Series | The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast

Three of the UK's leading diabetes specialist nurses on why CE marking is not a quality standard for CGM accuracy, why data sufficiency must come before device comparison, and what ATTD 2025 revealed about where diabetes technology is heading. A frank, clinical conversation grounded in years of front-line practice — and the story of how the DSN Forum's five-point accuracy scoring system was built.

In this episode:

• Why the DSN Forum created its CGM comparison chart and how it has evolved
• Why CE marking is not a quality standard for CGM accuracy
• How the five-point accuracy scoring system works and what it requires from a device
• Why only four devices currently meet the data sufficiency standard
• What 20/20 and 40/40 agreement rates mean in real clinical terms
• Why everyone using CGM for insulin decisions still needs a working finger-prick meter
• The calibration debate: does the option to calibrate add safety or risk?
• What ATTD 2025 revealed about fully closed loop systems — and who may not benefit
• The case for GLP-1 in type 1 diabetes and why priority access matters
• Abbott's continuous ketone monitor: opportunity, unknowns, and risks
• AID system optimisation, insulin on board, and the GNL AID System Explorer

Chapters:

• 00:00 — Introduction: meeting Amanda, Beth and Tamsin
• 02:14 — Why the DSN Forum CGM comparison chart was created
• 06:47 — Turning complex CGM evidence into a practical scoring system
• 16:23 — How CGM choice works in real clinical settings
• 20:36 — Why finger-prick testing still matters — and the calibration debate
• 29:26 — What stood out at ATTD 2025
• 44:03 — AID systems, insulin on board, and the GNL AID optimiser
• 49:49 — Where to find the DSN Forum, the chart, and closing thoughts

Guests: Amanda Williams (Lead Diabetes Nurse, East Kent), Beth Kelly (Clinical Lead DSN, Wiltshire), Tamsin Fletcher-Salt (Lead DSN, University Hospital North Midlands). All core members of the Diabetes Specialist Nurse Forum UK.

Links:

• Full show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-36-cgm-accuracy-dsn-forum/
• DSN Forum CGM Comparison Chart: https://www.diabetesspecialistn

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

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CGM Series | The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast

CGM accuracy is usually described with a single number: MARD. But a low MARD can hide significant risk if the study behind it was poorly designed. Professor Othmar Moser — one of the leading independent CGM accuracy researchers — explains what study design actually determines, why meal and insulin challenges are non-negotiable, and what people with type 1 diabetes and clinicians should look for when evaluating any accuracy claim.

In this episode:

• What MARD is and why it misleads when used in isolation
• The five study design questions that determine what accuracy data actually means
• Why 20/20 and 40/40 agreement rates reveal what MARD cannot
• Why meal and insulin challenges are essential for real-world accuracy testing
• What CE marking does and does not guarantee about CGM performance
• Why peer-reviewed, independent evidence is the gold standard — and how little of what is cited meets it
• How study design quality shapes what we actually know about CGM risk
• Professor Moser's perspective as a researcher who designs and runs these studies

Guest: Professor Othmar Moser, Medical University of Graz, Austria. Leading figure in independent CGM accuracy study design and insulin-related exercise physiology research in type 1 diabetes.

Links:

• Full show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-35-cgm-series-the-importance-of-cgm-accuracy-and-study-design-with-professor-othmar-moser/
• CGM Guide Part 2 — Assessing CGM Accuracy: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/assessing-cgm-accuracy-performance/
• CGM Guide Part 1 — How to Choose a CGM: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/select-continuous-glucose-monitor-cgm-understanding/
• Episode 36 — DSN Forum: CGM Accuracy and ATTD 2025: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-36-cgm-accuracy-dsn-forum/
• Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zTdTps42kQ8

Educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Always work with your diabetes care team.

Support GNL: https://buy.stripe.com/9B63cx4UO3KEdKC0Sp7Re00

The Glucose Never Lies® is a registered trademark of The GNL Ltd. Company No. 16733595. UK VAT No. GB 516 3272 08.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

Suggest guests or get in contact

How do some countries consistently achieve lower HbA1c and better outcomes in type 1 diabetes while others struggle — even with the same technologies?

In this episode, John Pemberton speaks with Dr Peter Adolfsson, paediatric diabetologist in Sweden and lead author of the ISPAD 2022 Exercise Guidelines, about what actually drives population-level improvements in type 1 diabetes care.

Full show notes:

https://theglucoseneverlies.com/episode-34-building-high-performance-type-1-diabetes-care-technology-targets-and-equity-dr-peter-adolfsson/

KEY TOPICS

• How Sweden’s national diabetes registry drives accountability and rapid improvement
• Why structured onboarding and early follow-up are essential for CGM and AID success
• The role of national collaboration between clinics to share best practice
• Why the highest HbA1c group should often be first in line for AID systems
• Moving toward time in tight range (3.9–7.8 mmol/L) as the next clinical target
• Equity in diabetes technology: checking subconscious bias with real data
• Why celebrating small improvements builds long-term engagement

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

✓ Why early investment in education and follow-up changes long-term outcomes
✓ How national benchmarking between clinics improves diabetes care
✓ Why targets matter — changing what you measure changes what improves
✓ How to use AID systems strategically for people struggling with bolusing
✓ Why the first two years after diagnosis are a critical window for glycaemic outcomes
✓ The importance of psychology, social support, and multidisciplinary teams

FUTURE OF TYPE 1 DIABETES CARE

• AI-supported platforms that analyse CGM data continuously
• Clinics responding earlier when glucose control deteriorates
• Personalised therapy combining insulin with adjunct treatments (e.g., GLP-1RA)
• More flexible care models where stable patients may need fewer clinic visits

Support GNL: https://buy.stripe.com/9B63cx4UO3KEdKC0Sp7Re00

The Glucose Never Lies® is a registered trademark of The GNL Ltd. Company No. 16733595. UK VAT No. GB 516 3272 08.

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.

Suggest guests or get in contact

Exercise guidelines for type 1 diabetes are built on research dominated by male participants. Professor Jane Yardley, a leading exercise physiologist, bridges the research gap between male and female exercise physiology in type 1 diabetes.

This conversation reveals why carbohydrate recommendations systematically overestimate female needs, how menstrual cycle phases alter insulin requirements during exercise, why peripheral hyperinsulinemia creates unique barriers to fat loss, and how fasted morning exercise offers a low-risk, high-reward strategy for improving insulin sensitivity and accessing fat stores.

Full show notes: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/females-exercise-t1d/

KEY TOPICS:
• Why ~60-70% of females experience luteal phase insulin resistance (10-50% increased needs)
• How AID systems struggle to keep up with rapid menstrual cycle changes
• Why per-kilogram carb recommendations overestimate female athletes' needs
• The peripheral hyperinsulinemia barrier: 4-8× higher insulin blocks fat release
• Fasted exercise: zero planning, minimal hypo risk, maximum fat burning
• Why muscle and bone health in your 20s-30s determines mobility in your 60s-80s
• Menopause transitions and accelerated cardiovascular risk

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
✓ Luteal phase exercise may require larger insulin adjustments
✓ Females use more fat as fuel — estrogen promotes fat oxidation
✓ Bolus insulin lasts 6 hours, not 2-4 (why "between meals" isn't truly fasted)
✓ Morning fasted exercise depletes glycogen and improves all-day insulin sensitivity
✓ How to overcome the fat loss barrier created by high peripheral insulin
✓ Why resistance training NOW prevents fractures and disability later
✓ Pregnancy exercise principles (sparse data, clear physiology)

PRACTICAL STRATEGIES:
→ Fasted morning exercise: roll out of bed, black coffee, go — no adjustments needed
→ Luteal phase: consider 60-70% basal cuts (not 50%) for postprandial exercise
→ Start with LESS carbohydrate than guidelines suggest, adjust based on YOUR response
→ Build peak muscle/bone by age 30 — you can't make up for lost time at retirement
→ Post-meal walks in pregnancy: 15-20 min keeps glucose <7.8 mmol/L without extra insulin

GUE

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for individualised care.

The Glucose Never Lies® is independent by design

We do not accept sponsorships and advertising. We operate via education grants and donations from listeners who value independence. So, consider:
Buying the GNL a Coffee:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jspfree2

Enquiries

Collaboration: John Pemberton — john@theglucoseneverlies.com

Creatives: Anjanee Kohli — anj@theglucoseneverlies.com

Follow The Glucose Never Lies®

Website: https://theglucoseneverlies.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theglucoseneverlies

LinkedIn: John Pemberton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-pemberton-587104361/

X: https://twitter.com/GlucoseNLies

Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

© The Glucose Never Lies Ltd. All rights reserved.