Ozempic for Type 1 Diabetes: A Dietitian’s Personal Journey

Lindsay Cohen, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist, has been living with type 1 diabetes for nearly three decades. Her diagnosis inspired her to become a dietitian and help others learn to manage their diabetes better. 

Now, she’s experiencing life-changing benefits by using Ozempic, a GLP-1 medication currently prescribed off-label for those with type 1 diabetes. She wanted to share her story with the GLP-1 Hub community, and you can hear more about it on the GLP-1 Hub podcast.

Discovering GLP-1 for Type 1 Diabetes

Diagnosed with Type 1 at age nine, Lindsay’s personal and professional journey has centered around diabetes management. In 2023, she launched Mama Betes, a blog and online practice dedicated to supporting mothers with diabetes, highlighting the unique challenges they face.

Lindsay first became intrigued by GLP-1 medications after witnessing promising results shared by others in the diabetes community online. Despite initial hesitation from her endocrinologist—who was uncomfortable prescribing Ozempic due to its off-label status—she persisted, eventually connecting with a nurse practitioner who specializes in diabetes and was willing to prescribe it virtually.

Starting Ozempic for Type 1 Diabetes

Since starting Ozempic six months ago, Lindsay has experienced significant improvements in her ability to manage her diabetes. Her hunger, previously difficult to manage due to hormone imbalances associated with type 1 diabetes, has stabilized. 

“Being on a GLP-1 has helped me just not feel hungry and hangry all the time,” Lindsay shared on our podcast. Additionally, she has experienced significant improvements in blood sugar regulation, with fewer spikes after meals and more consistent morning blood sugar levels. Most significantly, she has been able to reduce her insulin needs by 25-30%.

Making Ozempic Work for You

However, Lindsay did discuss the importance of proper dosing. Initially, she felt nauseated after taking the recommended starting dose. But she didn’t give up. She reduced the dose by half, which worked for her. This reduced the negative side effects while allowing her to still experience the beneficial effects of Ozempic on her blood sugar.

Lindsay recommends that those with type 1 diabetes considering GLP-1 treatments carefully monitor their blood sugars, preferably with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), and adjust insulin dosages accordingly to prevent hypoglycemia. Regular meals and adequate hydration are even more important for a Type 1 as there is an increased risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially life-threatening condition.

Talking to Your Doctor

For those whose primary doctors or endocrinologists are hesitant to prescribe GLP-1 medications, Lindsay recommends finding qualified healthcare professionals who are open-minded and knowledgeable about diabetes management, emphasizing careful vetting to ensure you are getting the medication from a safe source.

She believes strongly in working closely with your healthcare provider to find the right dose for you. “You shouldn’t feel so nauseated and full that you can’t eat,” she stresses. If this happens, Lindsay encourages reducing the dose, rather than stopping the medication.

Looking ahead, Lindsay hopes to see more research validating the benefits and safety of GLP-1 medications for people with type 1 diabetes. With so many new GLP-1 medications currently under development, she is optimistic about the future of GLP-1s for Type 1 Diabetes.

Read more of our GLP-1 community stories here.