Miriam E. Tucker

Washington, D.C.

Contributing Writer at Medscape

Contributing Writer at The Washington Post

Contributing Writer at Freelance

Writer/journalist specializing in medicine/health. Living with type 1 diabetes since 1973.

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Articles

Malnutrition-Related Diabetes Officially Named ‘Type 5’

1 week ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

Malnutrition-related diabetes, distinct from both type 1 and type 2, has now been officially recognized and named “type 5 diabetes.”The vote to endorse the category took place on April 8, during the International Diabetes Federation’s (IDF’s) World Diabetes Congress, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
GLP-1s Eyed as Key to Managing T1D With Obesity

1 week ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

The adjunctive use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) as an addition to insulin is increasingly viewed as a method for addressing the rising prevalence of obesity in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Current GLP-1 RA drugs, such as semaglutide and the dual glucagon-insulinotropic peptide (GIP)/GLP-1 tirzepatide, are approved for treating type 2 diabetes (T2D) (Ozempic and Mounjaro, respectively) and obesity (Wegovy and Zepbound, respectively) but not for T1D.
Monitoreo continuo de glucosa: para usuarios de insulina y más allá

2 weeks ago | espanol.medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

Nuevas evidencias apuntan a los posibles beneficios del monitoreo continuo de glucosa mucho más allá de su uso como herramienta de control para personas con diabetes que usan insulina.[1] Hasta hace poco se reservaba para personas con diabetes de tipo 1 y diabetes de tipo 2 que usan múltiples dosis diarias de insulina.
Continuous Ketone Monitoring: Essential or Optional?

2 weeks ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

The increasing use of technology for treating type 1 diabetes (T1D) has improved glycemic control; however, it hasn’t eliminated the risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In fact, without early recognition, insulin pump malfunctions can directly lead to DKA. Currently, patients test ketones at home using urine test strips that measure acetoacetate (the primary ketone body) and fingerstick blood monitors that measure beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB, the primary circulating ketone body).
Switching to Tirzepatide Outweighs Upping Dulaglutide Dose

2 weeks ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

NEW ORLEANS — For people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) inadequately controlled on submaximal dulaglutide (Trulicity) doses, switching to tirzepatide (Mounjaro) produces significantly greater A1c and weight lowering than does escalating dulaglutide treatment. “Often, when we are with a patient who is not meeting treatment goals, we need to decide whether to increase a current medication to maximum dose or switch to an alternate medication.
How Close Is Fully Closed-Loop Automated Insulin Delivery?

2 weeks ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

The long-term goal of a fully automated insulin delivery (AID) system that operates without user input to maintain glucose levels within target range remains a future aspiration and may never be fully realized using insulin alone, but steady progress continues toward developing systems that are “good enough.” Current AID Systems An AID system consists of an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), paired with an algorithm — often housed on a smartphone app — that enables the...
Continuous Glucose Monitoring: For Insulin Users and Beyond

3 weeks ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

Emerging evidence points to potential benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) well beyond use as a management tool for people with diabetes who use insulin. Until recently, CGM use had been reserved for people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who use multiple daily doses of insulin. Even now, insurance reimbursement for others is limited.
Should ‘Time in Tight Range’ Be the Primary Diabetes Goal?

1 month ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

Diabetes treatment has advanced because several diabetes organizations united to recommend a “time in range” target of 70-180 mg/dL for glucose levels derived from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Published in 2019, the consensus statement advised a goal of spending more than 70% of time in the 70-180 mg/dL range for most people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), with modifications for certain subgroups.
Dexcom’s 15-day CGM Adds Wear Time, Accuracy to Current G7

1 month ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

TOPLINE:The Dexcom 15-day G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is accurate and safe for use up to 15.5 days in adults with diabetes. Currently under review by the US Food and Drug Administration, it is more accurate than the current 10-day G7. METHODOLOGY:The prospective, multicenter study of the 15-day G7 sensor was conducted in 130 adults with diabetes (113 type 1, 17 type 2) using intensive insulin therapy, at six clinical US sites.
Automated Insulin Delivery System Helps in Type 2 Diabetes

1 month ago | medscape.com | Miriam E. Tucker

The use of an automated insulin delivery (AID) system reduced A1c and hyperglycemia without increasing hypoglycemia in people with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes (T2D), a new randomized trial showed. The data, from Tandem Diabetes Care’s 2IQP trial, informed the February 2025 US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)’s added T2D indication of the company’s next-generation Control-IQ+ algorithm, following its prior clearance for type 1 diabetes.