In an emergency, call 911. A severe low or signs of DKA can't wait. What to do

Play Don't Die a Betis
diabetis.ca Type 1 diabetes, in plain words

Your diabetes care team

Type 1 is managed by a team, and you are at the centre of it. Most teams include a doctor, a diabetes nurse educator, a dietitian and a pharmacist, with others when you need them.

Section
Newly diagnosed
Reading time
6 minutes
Checked against
Diabetes Canada, Breakthrough T1D Canada
Last checked
November 2026

Featured partnerFREE TO PLAY

The main screen of Don't Die a Betis: the Calgary skyline through a bedroom window at night, a glucose monitor reading 8.2 mmol/L on the sill, and the menu.

Don't Die a Betis

A beat 'em up about type 1, set in Calgary. Count carbs, dodge the Cinnamon Guy, and find a washroom before it is too late.

Play in your browser

Read the instruction booklet.

Who is on the team

Diabetes Canada recommends care from an interprofessional team: people from different health professions working together, with you.

  • Family doctor or nurse practitioner. Your first point of contact for everyday health care. Often they share your diabetes care with a specialist.
  • Endocrinologist. A doctor who specializes in diabetes and other hormone conditions. They manage insulin, check for complications, and treat related conditions such as thyroid disease or high cholesterol. Children and teens usually see a pediatric endocrinologist, or a pediatrician with diabetes expertise.
  • Diabetes educator. Usually a nurse or dietitian with extra training in diabetes. They teach you day-to-day care: preventing and treating lows, using a pump or CGM, exercise and sick days.
  • Dietitian. Teaches you to count carbohydrates accurately, and how fat and protein affect your blood sugar.
  • Social worker. Helps with practical problems, such as making sure a child gets the diabetes care they need at school.
  • Psychologist or other mental health professional. Helps you and your family adjust to living with type 1. See Diabetes distress and burnout.

Your pharmacist

Your pharmacist is part of your team too. Diabetes Canada's guidelines name pharmacists among the professionals on a diabetes team, and in some teams they take an active part in monitoring or adjusting medicines.

Your pharmacist can answer questions about your insulin and supplies, and many pharmacies supply sharps containers for used pen tips and lancets. If you are having lows, Diabetes Canada lists the pharmacist among the people to talk to, along with your doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse and dietitian.

Other people you may see

  • an eye specialist, for a yearly eye check
  • a foot specialist (podiatrist), for adults
  • an obstetrician or a prenatal diabetes program, if you are planning a pregnancy

How often you will see them

Diabetes Canada's guidelines suggest an A1C test about every 3 months for most people.

Some clinics see you with the whole team in one visit. Others book each person separately. Ask your clinic how often they want to see you, and how to reach them between visits.

What to bring

  • your meter, CGM or pump, or access to its readings, so the team can look at your numbers
  • a record of any lows: when they happened and what you think caused them
  • a list of the medicines you take
  • your questions, written down
  • anything that is getting in the way, including cost and how you are feeling. Diabetes Canada encourages you to tell your team if your finances are suffering, because something helpful may be possible.

Bringing a family member or friend can help you remember what was said.

Choosing a clinic

If you have a choice of clinic, Breakthrough T1D Canada suggests asking:

  • How many of your patients have type 1?
  • How many use pumps and CGMs?
  • Can you download readings from my meter, pump or CGM at visits?
  • How easy is it to reach the team between visits, and can I send my readings?
  • Do you offer classes?

If travel or missing work or school is hard, look for a clinic where you can see the whole team in one visit.

Not sure where to start?

Try playing Don't Die a Betis.

Play in your browser

Follow your own diabetes care team. This page explains the general advice. Your doctor, nurse educator and dietitian know your body and your insulin, and their plan comes first.

Sources

  1. Breakthrough T1D Canada. Your care team.
  2. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chapter 6: Organization of diabetes care.
  3. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chapter 34: Type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents.
  4. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chapter 9: Blood glucose monitoring in adults and children with diabetes, 2021 update.
  5. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chapter 18: Mental health and diabetes, 2023 update.
  6. Diabetes Canada. Hypoglycemia: low blood sugar in adults (patient handout, 2024).
  7. Diabetes Canada. Getting started with insulin.

Checked against these sources in November 2026.