What the Numbers Actually Say
You’ve probably heard that pre-bolusing is “a good idea,” but what does the research actually say? This episode walks through the real data, from A1C to mental health, and why those extra minutes matter more than you think. Today, We’re...
The episode, word for word
I know we've been talking about pre-bolusing all month, but what does the research actually say?
Like, is this just a nice idea with vibes? Or is there real science behind it?
Hey, I'm Neil, and this is Your Best T1D Year podcast. I've got a brand new book out on Amazon & Kindle called Type 1 Diabetes: True Stories - you should go get it as soon as you're done listening to this podcast.
I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during Air Force flight training, and for a long time, I didn't think timing my insulin really mattered.
But the data? It's pretty convincing. So today, we're going to walk through some of the numbers, and they might surprise you.
Let's start with the big one: A1C.
Pre-bolusing regularly has been shown to lower A1C by anywhere from 0.4% to 0.8%, depending on the study.
That's not a subtle shift. That's the difference between feeling like you're constantly chasing highs... and getting a little breathing room.
Then there's time in range:
People who pre-bolus consistently can improve their TIR by 15 to 20 percentage points.
That's hours each day spent in a more stable range, which means fewer mood swings, less fatigue, and more freedom to focus on actual life.
And how about correction boluses?
Pre-bolusing cuts down on the need for "chase-down" corrections after meals. That's less stacking, less overcompensating, and fewer glucose crashes that follow the spike.
Beyond the labs and graphs, real-world feedback backs this up too.
A survey from the International Diabetes Federation found that 76% of people with diabetes say that managing their blood sugars daily has a negative impact on their mental health.
So anything, even one tool, that reduces that load? It's not just helpful. It's essential.
That's what pre-bolusing can do:
Not just bring the spike down, but calm down your whole experience of the day.
So if you've been testing this out this month, even just once or twice, you're already in the data set. You're part of the group that's learning how to work with their insulin, not against it.
And you don't need to pre-bolus perfectly for this to work.
You just need to notice what happens when you give insulin a little more time.
You're not waiting for perfect conditions. You're testing. Adjusting. Building awareness.
And that's what changes everything.
And hey, if you're into the whole "what this actually feels like in real life" angle, my book Type 1 Diabetes, True Stories is out now.
It's full of moments like this. Frustrating, hilarious, real, and occasionally ridiculous.
New episodes drop every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Before we wrap up, let me leave you with something that really stuck with me, 70% of counties don't have an endo. One in four people delay insulin. It shouldn't be this hard to stay alive. Blue Circle Health is proving that it doesn't have to be. From tech support and emotional coaching to prescriptions and beyond, they're flipping the system on its head. Free care. Real support. Go to bluecirclehealth.org.
Nobody remembers easy.
But you? You're building something real. And I'm proud of that.
58 - June 27
Friday, June 27
This is the script as read on the mic, lightly tidied for reading. Education, not medical advice. Talk to your care team before you change anything about your insulin.