Pre-diabetic: You have not been formally diagnosed with diabetes, but you may become full blown diabetic at some point. Your lifestyle factors and familial disposition has a lot to do with if you become diabetic for life.
Type 1: Your body doesn't make insulin at all and you need insulin for life.
Type 2: Your body still makes insulin, but your body's cells don't use it properly.
Gestational: You have this type when you are pregnant and have to watch your blood sugars carefully.
Typical Supplies needed for diabetic care
- Insulin (various types, long and short acting, combination)
- Medications (depending on diabetic type)
- Disposal injectable needles
- Blood sugar Monitor and Strips
- Insulin Pump (Medtronic, Dexcom, Omnipod DASH, T-Slim, others)
- Continuous Glucose Monitor (Free Style Libre, Dexcom, Eversense) and accessories.
- Phone to install apps so you can use the CGM (Android, IOS)
- Insulin pump reseviors (holds insulin)
- Insulin infusion sets (on body set that attaches the pump to give basal /bolus insulin)
- Insulin pump/CGM charger or case
- Alcohol Swabs (to prepare your skin
- Sugar Tablets
- Carrying case (for all your medical supplies)
- Ice packs (to keep insulin cold)
Diabetes is expensive and so are the supplies. If you have insurance, typically it will pay for a majority of the things you need. But there are going to be out of pocket costs.
You need to set up an account with a pharmacy (Walgreen, Rite Aid, others) so if you need medications, you can get your needed medications and supplies.
Each year you will have out of pocket costs. Check around with your doctor and pharmacy to see about any discounts.