Sweet Success Story: Overcoming Nighttime Lows and Finding Stability with Thomas

When Thomas*, a 60-year-old man living with type 1 diabetes, enrolled in his provider’s SweetSpot program this summer, he was no stranger to the ups and downs of glucose management. He had spent decades learning to balance insulin, diet, and daily routines after his diabetes diagnosis. Still, persistent overnight lows left him anxious and frustrated. 

As a SweetSpot Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), I partner closely with providers to review patients’ diabetes device data every month, suggest treatment adjustments, and stay in touch with patients between visits. Watching patients make meaningful progress through this added level of support is the best part of my job, and Thomas’s transformation stands out. 

Recognizing the Real Risks 

From the first data review, one issue was clear: Thomas was at significant risk of hypoglycemia, especially overnight. Prolonged lows aren’t just uncomfortable - they can lead to cognitive decline, cardiovascular issues, and lasting psychological effects. Addressing this pattern was critical. 

Through conversation, Thomas admitted he often treated CGM alerts right away without confirming with a fingerstick, sometimes consuming too much and causing rebound highs. He also struggled with consistent carbohydrate counting, especially when meals were delayed or eaten on the road. 

Building a Safer Routine 

I worked with Thomas on a focused set of changes: 

• Reducing his basal insulin dose in small steps to lower the risk of nighttime lows 

• Reviewing hypoglycemia treatment in detail and re-educating on how CGMs measure glucose (and why confirmation with a fingerstick matters) 

• Introducing glucose tablets as an easy, reliable option for treatment 

• Offering strategies for eating well while traveling, with emphasis on adding protein and limiting excess carbs 

Once I asked the right questions, it became clear there was a knowledge gap. Thomas didn’t have a clear plan for treating lows — he would just grab whatever was available, which often led to overcorrection. Having glucose tablets on hand, plus understanding how to use his CGM effectively, gave him more stability. 

Turning a Corner 

At a follow-up call, Thomas finally connected the dots between his habits and the recurring lows. With support, he downloaded carbohydrate reference guides, adjusted his routine, and committed to sticking with the new plan even while traveling. 

That was the turning point. He realized being on the road wasn’t an excuse, it was a chance to apply new strategies. Once that clicked, we saw steady improvements. 

Within weeks, his time spent in hypoglycemia dropped from 8% to just 2%, and his glucose patterns stabilized. 

Living with More Confidence 

Beyond the numbers, Thomas’s outlook shifted dramatically. 

He became less worried, less preoccupied with every reading. Instead of feeling controlled by diabetes, he saw that with the right tools, he could manage his condition and still enjoy life at home or on the road. That confidence is just as important as the numbers. 

Why Ongoing Support Matters 

Thomas’s story highlights the value of SweetSpot’s remote diabetes monitoring and regular follow-ups. Without this program, his provider might not have seen the issue until his next office visit months later. With small changes, personalized education, and steady support, Thomas has turned a stressful cycle of overnight lows into a story of stability and freedom. 

If you’d like to see how SweetSpot can help your patients achieve results like this, reach out to us at info@sweetspot.health.

*Patient name has been changed to protect privacy

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SweetSpot partners with endocrinology practices to provide virtual CGM monitoring and enhanced patient care.

SweetSpot combines a centralized software platform for managing diabetes device data, such as data from CGMs and insulin pumps, with wrap-around clinical support services. SweetSpot’s virtual team of Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialists (CDCES) performs monthly CGM data reviews and coordinates with providers and patients to facilitate treatment plan changes. By actively managing and remotely reviewing CGM data between patient visits, we ensure patients receive timely treatment adjustments to improve glycemic control and patient outcomes.

Additionally, SweetSpot’s automated capture of reimbursable care events optimizes CPT code utilization, unlocking new revenue streams for practices and making our partnerships both clinically effective and financially profitable.