Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
35(35%)
4 stars
29(29%)
3 stars
36(36%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews
July 15,2025
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I checked out a copy of this book from my local library.

My young son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, which was a huge shock to our family.

Someone I met through the T1D support group highly suggested this book.

To my great surprise, I found the information in this book extremely helpful.

It has not only helped me learn a vast amount of knowledge about Type 1 Diabetes but also given me a much greater insight into how to assist my son in navigating this new and challenging diagnosis.

I truly believe that this book is a valuable resource for anyone who has received a T1D diagnosis.

It provides practical advice, useful tips, and real-life experiences that can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this condition.

I would unhesitatingly recommend this book to anyone in a similar situation.

July 15,2025
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This book is yet another one that I continuously reread.

It is filled with an abundance of extremely helpful tips that I strive to incorporate into my daily diabetes management routine.

The bolus timing table, in particular, is something that I truly appreciate.

It provides me with clear and concise guidelines on when to administer the appropriate amount of insulin based on my food intake and activity level.

By following this table, I am able to better control my blood sugar levels and avoid dangerous spikes or drops.

The tips and strategies presented in this book have been a game-changer for me in my diabetes management journey.

I highly recommend it to anyone living with diabetes who is looking for practical and effective ways to take control of their condition.
July 15,2025
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This morning, I had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable woman.

She shared with me her story about how a particular book had truly made a significant difference in her life and the life of her son, who has Type 1 diabetes.

She spoke with great enthusiasm and gratitude, explaining that the information and advice provided in the book had been invaluable in managing her son's condition.

It had given her a better understanding of the disease, its symptoms, and the best ways to care for her son on a daily basis.

The woman's words were a powerful reminder of the impact that a good book can have on someone's life.

It can offer hope, support, and knowledge during difficult times.

I was truly inspired by her story and am now more convinced than ever of the importance of sharing information and resources with those who need it.

Perhaps this book could also help others in a similar situation, and I will do my best to spread the word about its benefits.
July 15,2025
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This book offers truly valuable and practical information for all diabetics, with a particular emphasis on those with type 1 diabetes.

However, it loses one star because, aside from general reading and blogs, most of the content is geared towards Americans. Understandably, it's not possible to list the diabetes associations of every country on the planet. But it would have been beneficial to mention this emphasis at the beginning.

The author, being a diabetic himself, has first-hand knowledge of what he writes about. As a type 1 diabetic for the past 30 years, I've grown tired of general doctors who treat patients as if they are robots with pre-programmed blood sugar levels. What this book effectively points out is that there are numerous variables on a daily, hourly, and almost minute-by-minute basis, making perfection impossible.

Nevertheless, with the right tools, achieving a good balance is within reach. Scheiner provides excellent tools, including different methods for counting carbs, understanding how insulin works or fails, and how sports affect blood sugar levels. I had some knowledge of these from my own experience, but the more I learn and the more up-to-date the information is, the more control I feel I have.

This book has also boosted my motivation, which is essential when living with a long-term illness. Even though the resources and links are mainly for Americans, I still recommend it for its practical and down-to-earth advice. It's also a great read for politicians, doctors, and others who make decisions and may wonder why, for example, it's better to test blood sugar frequently to avoid future health and financial costs.
July 15,2025
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I have truly benefited from learning how to count carbs and understand the way my body metabolizes food. It has been an eye-opening experience that has had a significant impact on my management of Type 1 diabetes. By accurately counting the carbohydrates in the foods I consume, I am able to make more informed decisions about my insulin dosages. This knowledge has given me a greater sense of control over my blood sugar levels and has helped to prevent dangerous spikes and drops.


Understanding how my body metabolizes food has also been crucial. I now know which foods are digested more quickly and which ones provide a more sustained release of energy. This allows me to plan my meals and snacks more effectively, ensuring that I have a steady supply of fuel throughout the day.


I highly recommend this type of learning to anyone with Type 1 diabetes. It can seem overwhelming at first, but with practice and patience, it becomes second nature. Armed with this knowledge, you can take a more proactive approach to managing your diabetes and improve your overall quality of life.

July 15,2025
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This book is truly a must-read for anyone with type 1 diabetes or who has insulin-dependent diabetes.

After years of struggling to get my blood sugar under control with carb counting and using insulin, and feeling abandoned/dismissed by my healthcare providers, finding this book was life changing. Truly.

Reading this was the first time I had ever heard/read anyone say, "Living with diabetes is hard. It's a full time job. What you're doing is hard. Be kind to yourself" (this is a paraphrase, not a direct quote). For my personal challenges with chronic illness and the guilt/shame I had about not having good blood sugar control to be met with understanding, kindness, and compassion was one of the most impactful experiences I've had when it comes to diabetes.

The practical information in this book about actually managing blood sugar with insulin is incredible. I'm a health care provider and we get minimal training about the practical aspects of living with diabetes and diabetes management. So, even with my medical background, I learned *so much* from Gary Scheiner that I wish they at least touched upon in medical school!

It makes sense that diabetes is so misunderstood by healthcare providers who often don't understand how much work goes into living with a chronic disease. It was validating and eye opening to realize just how many things impact blood sugar levels. I came to understand my body so much better and also was able to get much better blood sugar control because of this book!

Overall, "Think Like a Pancreas" is validating, uplifting, very informative, useful, and effective. What more could you want from a book about diabetes? Definitely far exceeded my expectations and was a powerful turning point in my diabetes journey. Thank you for this gift, Gary Scheiner!
July 15,2025
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Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects a significant number of people worldwide. For diabetic educators and clinical managers, having access to accurate and up-to-date information is crucial. This makes the available resource an invaluable asset.


The resource provides a wealth of knowledge on various aspects of diabetes management, including diet, exercise, medication, and blood glucose monitoring. It offers practical tips and strategies that can be easily implemented in clinical settings.


Diabetic educators can use this resource to enhance their teaching materials and provide more comprehensive education to patients. They can also refer to it when answering patient questions and addressing their concerns.


Clinical managers, on the other hand, can rely on this resource to develop evidence-based policies and procedures for diabetes care. It can help them ensure that their staff is providing high-quality care and that patients are receiving the best possible treatment.


In conclusion, the available resource is an essential tool for diabetic educators and clinical managers. It equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage diabetes and improve the quality of life of their patients.
July 15,2025
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This is an enjoyable read, to a certain extent.

It makes sense about 95% of the time, which is quite impressive.

However, there is a small portion of the theoretical math in the last part of the book that is just too advanced for me to fully understand.

Nonetheless, the book has been very useful as it filled in some of the gaps that were left by all my previous type 1 diabetes education.

It has also provided me with new material that I can add to my list of questions for the endocrinologist.

This additional knowledge will surely help me in better managing my diabetes and having more informed discussions with my healthcare provider.

Overall, despite the minor difficulty with the theoretical math, I would still recommend this book to others with type 1 diabetes.
July 15,2025
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“Think like a Pancreas” is an absolutely indispensable book for those seeking to take control of Type 1 Diabetes. It provides a wealth of great information regarding all the available tools, technology, and various types of insulin accessible to diabetics. There are also tons of resources included. So much is encompassed within its pages that it truly deserves to be read once for the overall knowledge it offers, and then as many additional times as required to focus on everything that is applicable to an individual. Most significantly, it details strategies to achieve the most stable blood glucose possible. This goes a long way in helping people truly become their own advocates in managing their diabetes.


It has only been a year and a half since our daughter's diagnosis. One thing I believe the hospital did well was to show us that, despite involving a major lifestyle change, it was something we were very capable of handling. However, although that was something we needed to hear, the crash-course we received couldn't possibly teach us enough in such a short time. Obviously, we rely quite a bit on endocrinologists to ensure we're doing what we should be. But this book is invaluable when it comes to understanding all the particulars we need to be aware of when bolusing or treating highs and lows. It's easy to leave the hospital with an oversimplified view of the necessary calculations. “Think like a Pancreas” helps identify everything that should be considered, breaks down all the necessary calculations, the reasons behind them, and how to apply them. It will require a bit of studying, but a book like this can assist people in truly excelling at diabetes management, rather than simply succeeding. This is an important distinction when it comes to the general health of a loved one.

July 15,2025
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I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the 1960s when I was just a child.

Living in an area where it was difficult to find experienced endocrinologists or access the latest technology, I had to take matters into my own hands and self-teach myself how to manage my diabetes as if I were my own "endo." I dedicated myself to learning as much as possible about taking control of this chronic condition.

Gary's book has been a great help to an old diabetic like me. It has taught me how to effectively control my diabetes using both an insulin pump and multiple dose injections (MDI). Surprisingly, I've been able to achieve similar levels of blood sugar control with both methods.

MDI is the more affordable option for controlling diabetes, but it's not everyone's preferred choice. However, with perseverance and a great deal of patience, it can be successfully implemented.

Gary does seem to have a preference for insulin pumps, which is understandable considering that Americans are among the most prominent users of these expensive devices worldwide.

Overall, Gary's book has provided valuable insights and practical advice for managing diabetes, regardless of the method chosen.
July 15,2025
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I started reading right after Elijah's diagnosis. At that time, I was just too overwhelmed emotionally to finish the book. The situation was so difficult and my emotions were in such a turmoil that I simply couldn't focus on reading.

However, six months later, I decided to pick it up again. To my surprise, I found it to be extremely helpful and practical. The content in the book provided valuable insights and solutions that I could apply to Elijah's situation.

Now I understand why everyone raves about it. It truly is a remarkable resource that has made a significant difference in my life and in how I deal with Elijah's diagnosis. I am grateful that I gave it a second chance and discovered its true value.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is going through a similar experience or is looking for practical advice and support. It has the potential to change lives and bring hope in the midst of difficult circumstances.
July 15,2025
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I was pleasantly astonished to find out that a new edition was accessible. The original "Think Like a Pancreas" is on my all-time top books list and ought to be compulsory reading for anyone who spends a significant amount of their time pretending to be a pancreas.

I haven't contrasted the two editions to see what alterations have been made or what new content there is. I attempt to read this at least once a year. Some parts of this book are familiar reads, yet other parts seem new. But that could be because I require a different section each time I read it. The entire section on hormones and puberty, which wasn't crucial before, was now read thoroughly. Another section that I concentrated on this time was the glycemic index. We've really been grappling with foods that take a long time to have an effect, especially at dinnertime. Lows around bedtime occur because the insulin is in but the carbs aren't. I'm going to sit down with a list of our typical dinner dishes and the GI numbers and see what I need to delay the dose for.

I also attribute my consideration of a new insulin regimen to this book. My daughter is using multiple daily injections (MDI) again (she loathed the insulin pump), and we've spent the past 8 months contending with a growing dawn phenomenon problem. Our best solution so far has been waking up at 5:30 and doing a correction so that breakfast numbers can be closer to the target. I'd love to get rid of that, and I was intrigued by the basal section's idea of adding NPH to our plan. We could use Levemir in the morning, Novolog for bolusing, and NPH in the evening. It's on my list of requests for our next endocrinologist visit, and I would never have known about it without this book.

If you have diabetes or take care of someone who does, please read this book.
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