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Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin

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Few diabetes books focus specifically on the day-to-day issues facing people who use insulin. In this fully updated and revised edition, diabetes educator Gary Scheiner provides the tools to “think like a pancreas”—to successfully master the art and science of matching insulin to the body’s ever-changing needs. Comprehensive, free of medical jargon, and packed with useful information not readily available elsewhere, this new edition covers the many strides taken in diabetes education and management since the first edition seven years ago.

Think Like a Pancreas includes critical information, such as day-to-day blood glucose control and monitoring, designing an insulin program to best match your lifestyle, up-to date medication and technology, and new insulin formulations and combinations.

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2004

619 people are currently reading
1686 people want to read

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Gary Scheiner

12 books14 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
Profile Image for Fishface.
3,280 reviews239 followers
March 24, 2019
This book is a great resource for anyone wanting to understand more about Type I diabetes. The author is not only a professional diabetes educator, but has the illness himself and knows whereof he speaks. I have been perplexed at all the diabetes chat on my caseload and this helped me understand much more of the discussion. He never goes into why it is so much more common now than it was a couple of generations back, but he did answer questions that made my own doctor shrug and say "Gee, I dunno." This one is staying in my home health library because new cases never seem to stop coming down the pike. The book is easy to use and very well-written, lighthearted and snappy. The author never talks down to the reader the way a doctor does and he reduces the illness from an overwhelming challenge to a manageable pain in the a$$. This is the only resource I've found that discusses Type I exclusively. Everything else on the shelves seems to talk 90% about Type II -- a completely different problem -- then dismisses Type I by saying "If you have Type I, none of what I just said applies; go talk to a specialist." This is your source to learn about Type I.
Profile Image for Stacy.
915 reviews17 followers
June 17, 2015
I was happily surprised to discover that there was a new edition available. The original Think Like a Pancreas is on my all-time best books list and should be required reading for anyone that spends a lot of their time masquerading as a pancreas.

I haven't compared the two editions to see what changed or what content is new. I try to read this at least once a year and parts of this book are familiar reads but other parts feel new...but that might be because I need a different section each time I read it - that whole section on hormones and puberty that weren't important before were now read thoroughly. Another section that I focused on this time was the glycemic index. We've really been struggling with foods that take a long time to hit, especially at dinnertime. Lows around bedtime because the insulin is in but the carbs are not. I'm going to sit down with a list of our typical dinner fare and the GI numbers and see what I need to delay the dose for.

I also credit this book with my contemplation of a new insulin regimen. My daughter is MDI'ing again (she hated the insulin pump) and we've spent the last 8 months fighting against 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 target. I'd love to eliminate that and I was fascinated in the basal section on the idea of adding NPH to our plan. We could do Levemir in the morning, Novolog for bolusing and NPH in the evening. It's on my list of requests for our next endo visit and I would never have known about it without this book.

If you have diabetes or take care of someone that does, please read this book.
Profile Image for Zoe.
13 reviews4 followers
September 19, 2012
This book is an indispensable resource to anyone who uses insulin to treat their diabetes. I have Type 1 which is controlled using an insulin pump, and while the support I've received from my consultant and DSN has been amazing, this book has refreshed and supplemented my knowledge and has given me the confidence to make those small alterations which seem to make big differences. Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin is written by a diabetes educator, so you know that the advice given is rationalised through science. More significantly (for me, at least), the author also has Type 1, so as well as offering a sometimes wry account of the condition, the advice given has been gleaned through years of experience and trial and error; moreover, drawing from personal experience prevents it from being the kind of dry, albeit informative, pseudo-science narratives that these advisory books can sometimes be.
In short, while this book doesn't offer all the answers, it'll perhaps make you reassess your relationship with diabetes, and might just help to make things that little bit easier, and (fingers crossed) your HbA1c that little bit lower. Revolutionary? No. Invaluable? Most definitely!
Profile Image for Shanmugam.
74 reviews36 followers
May 26, 2021
A Good One to Carry Around if You are an IDDM or One of Your Loved Ones is.

How I wish someone shown me a book like this fifteen years ago, how I wish one of my endocrinologists shared this much knowledge with me, how I wish my dietician did something better than recommending just fenugreek seeds water, how I wish someone forced me to continue reading this book when I started six months ago, fuck, how I wish I never had to worry about my blood sugar oscillations. Well, none of these happened, no point in brooding over a dozen wishes. What you got is what you are left with :)

This book is simply one of the best instruction materials I have ever come across. It has answers to all the questions you might have with handling IDDM. Engaging read as well.
Profile Image for Doran Barton.
91 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2014
I just finished reading Think Like a Pancreas: A Practical Guide to Managing Diabetes with Insulin by Gary Scheiner, a certified Diabetes educator and owner of Integrated Diabetes Services, a firm of Diabetes clinicians who all have Diabetes themselves and work to help their clients improve their ability to live with the disease.

I would label this book MUST-HAVE for all Type-1 Diabetics and parents of young (under 12) Diabetic children. If you fit into one of these categories, not only must you have this book, you must READ it as well.

Scheiner addresses some aspects of Type-2 Diabetes in the book as well, but it's mostly relevant to Type-2 Diabetics who have progressed to being at least somewhat dependent on insulin.

Scheiner breaks the book up into ten chapters. The tenth chapter is really just a large collection of references to resources such as manufacturers, vendors, organizations, and websites. An appendix includes some handy log sheets for photocopying to get you started in keeping written records.

Scheiner's candor and humor makes the book a lot less clinical and stuffy than it could be. But, some of his humor, I would say, isn't necessarily appropriate for children. I think I only ran across a couple of instances of this and they weren't throw-the-book-against-the-wall bad, they just felt slightly off-color for a young (under 14) reader.

For many Diabetics, the physiology of Diabetes is confusing. If someone asks them why they're Diabetic, they just say "My pancreas doesn't work... right" and leave it at that. This book will give the reader a very good understanding of what role the pancreas plays in a non-Diabetic body and how insulin therapy can be used to restore the balance a healthy pancreas provides.

The book goes over the pros and cons of using insulin pumps, multiple daily injections (MDI), continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), and multiple types of insulins (normal, NPH, fast-acting like Humalog and Novolog, and long-acting like Lantus and Levemir.)

It also covers many non-insulin medications that different types of Diabetics may wish to consider. Most non-insulin medications are primarily for Type-2 Diabetics, but it seems research is finding Type-1 Diabetics can benefit from them as well.

For example, my endocrinologist gave me samples of Symlin, Byetta, and Victoza injectables to try. These are all targeted for Type-2 Diabetics, but have shown some positive results for Type-1 Diabetics as well, especially for those trying to lose weight. I didn't like Symlin, Byetta, or Victoza. I either felt the nausea side effect was too much or that my blood sugars were becoming too unpredictable.

Having read more about how these medications work and what typical experiences are for people who use them, I'm more inclined to give them another go.

All in all, I think this book will save you a lot of time at the doctor's or endocrinologist's office because you will cease being the ignorant patient who just wants a list of things to do and medications to take and, instead, will become an informed partner in your Diabetes treatment plan. You can ask educated questions and even bring up reasonable arguments why you question a doctor's recommendations.

I recommend reading the book one chapter at a time. There's a lot of information in each chapter, so give it time to sink in before moving on to the next chunk.

I consider myself a pretty well-informed Type-1 Diabetic, but I learned several important things from this book. I've never given much thought to how high my post-meal spikes went as long as my average blood sugar was reasonably close to being on-target. Scheiner points out that, for adults, frequent post-meal spike over 180 mg/dL can contibute to stress on your kidneys and accelerate complications in your eyes. That caught my attention and I started adjusting my meal boluses so that my post-meal spikes don't go so high. It's only been a few days, but I've already noticed a significant difference in my blood sugar readings from this simple change.

Profile Image for Tony Fecteau.
1,499 reviews6 followers
April 1, 2019
My daughter is diabetic, and we read many books regarding diabetes. This book is amazing and covers so much information on diabetes. It is a fantastic/interesting read. If you have diabetes or have a child with diabetes you must read this book.
Profile Image for Monica Willyard Moen.
1,373 reviews28 followers
November 26, 2015
If you use insulin to treat diabetes, and you're only going to read one book about how it works, this is it! Insulin can give a person freedom, independence, and a really good life. However, there's more to living with insulin then knowing how to give an injection. Once you master how insulin works, you can get on with living your life.
This is the only book where I have bought both additions. I owned the original book and found it very helpful. When I saw the release of the revised version, I didn't think it would add much or be that helpful. Still, I like with this author does with his work so much that I decided to buy it. Wow! Was I wrong about it being worth the purchase!
He clarified several areas where the writing in the first book was unclear. Of course, he updated information on the latest insulins available and dropped content relating to products that are no longer on the market. Where this book really shines is in showing you how to use insulin in the natural way your body does so you can enjoy living instead of just living from dose to dose of medication. He teaches people to get to know their body, to understand how insulin works in their unique system, and teaches people to conduct experiments to make sure they're using the optimal type and dose of insulin at the right time. In this era of 10 minute doctors appointments, these skills are not being taught by physicians. The dosage charts are invaluable. Don't worry, those of you who are bad at math, you can still use them.
Profile Image for Erik Strand.
15 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2020
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a couple months ago at age 22. Prior to reading this book, I didn't really have any idea what that meant, how to treat it, and a million other details about T1D. While this book doesn't answer all possible questions, it taught me an immense amount about how to deal with my new lifestyle, what to look out for, and how to set myself up for success. This book was a lifesaver for me!!
Profile Image for Rachel.
7 reviews1 follower
September 29, 2014
Best book on T1 I've ever read & better info than I've ever received from a doctor!!
Profile Image for Nikki Penda.
123 reviews3 followers
February 8, 2015
The best diabetic book I've read. Got it from library but half way through, ordered new addition from Amazon so I can mark it up m
Profile Image for Katherine Moore.
15 reviews1 follower
January 17, 2023
I would recommend this book to every type 1 diabetic. I’ve had the condition for 18 years and I learned new information. The basal rate testing and adjustments were especially helpful because my endocrinologist simply doesn’t have enough time to explain at my appointments.

I read the book in under a week and it was so helpful I bought a hard copy and a digital copy.
Profile Image for Allison.
208 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2025
This book came highly recommended to me as someone newly diagnosed. It was incredibly helpful with many questions I had! I will be adding the newest edition to my personal collection for whenever I need a little help. Thank you very much, Dr. Scheiner!
Profile Image for Macy Parker.
46 reviews1 follower
October 21, 2025
Absolutely amazing informative book. It's just what I needed as a newly diagnosed T1 diabetic. 🫶🏻
Profile Image for Jeanine Brosch.
68 reviews2 followers
December 24, 2017
Having worked on Diabetes Care products for 15 years now I still learned a lot from this book. Not least of which is the daily struggle for Type 1 diabetics.
Profile Image for Kelsey .
58 reviews3 followers
November 11, 2020
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!
Profile Image for Katja Vartiainen.
Author 41 books126 followers
May 7, 2017
this book is really good practical information for all diabetics, but especially for type 1's. the one star off comes from that it all links, except general reading and blogs are for Americans. Understandably one can't list the diabetes associations of every country on this planet, but it's also good to mention the emphasis in the beginning. And woah, do the American diabetics need all the help they get in these times...
The author is a diabetic himself, so he know what he writes about. Being a type 1 diabetic for the last 30 years, I've really had it with general doctors who think you are a robot who is inserted with this or that 'program and voilá! your blood sugars are in order.what is well pointed out is that there are so many variables every day, hour and almost minute that perfection is impossible. But, with good enough tools making your balance is possible. Scheiner gives good tools, different options of how to count carbs, how your insulin works, or fails, how sports affects you etc. I knew these from experience kind of, but the more I know, and the more updated the information is the more control I have.
So, this book also boosted my motivation, which is regularly needed when living with a long-term illness. Even though the resources and links for America mostly, I do recommend it for it's reasonability and practical nitty gritty advice. Also for politicians and doctors etc people, who make decisions, who wonder why, for example, it is better the test your blood sugar often (=don't cut back the test strips) to avoid future costs health and moneywise.
Profile Image for Shanmugam.
74 reviews36 followers
May 26, 2021
Even better than the previous edition.

I had read the second edition of this book in 2015, I felt then that I had been spending 13 years in the dark. Now reading this latest edition in 2021, I still feel that I haven’t been up to date. There were certain situations I thought to be unsolvable like post-meal meteoric spike and an alarming fall two or three hours later. Gary Scheiner has a solution for everything. He is like a coach, guiding you with his arm around your shoulder to face whatever the challenge awaits. More than once he states that having diabetes shouldn’t limit your life in any way, I strongly agree with that. Yes, I loved those Billy Joel references as well.

Extensive but not exhaustive. It has pointers for all the aspects, like different types of diabetes, complications, various treatments for each of them, factors affecting blood sugar level, things that make insulin react in different ways. Every day diabetes management is not an easy task. However, with a book like this, you are going to that war with arms and armor. It is a great start for anyone serious about managing ‘that’ chronic disease well.
Profile Image for Monica Willyard Moen.
1,373 reviews28 followers
November 27, 2015
This book inspired me to get serious about using insulin effectively. Unlike other books about diabetes that give the lion's share of their attention to diet and pills, this book is for those of us who use insulin. The author is an insulin user as well as a certified diabetes educator. He explains things in clear language and explains medical terms as he goes.

The book discusses different types of insulin, choosing the right injection devices, and discusses the pros and cons of an insulin pump. The book also shows readers how to adjust insulin dosages based on foods eaten, exercise, illness, or stress.

In short, this book feels like it was written for me, and I can't say that about the ten or twelve books I've read before because they give insulin a brief page or two. This book helped me see that my injections save my life now, and they preserve my health for my later years. So though I'd like to skip shots sometimes, I now see each one as a vote for life, for myself, and for my future. This book helps me feel empowered and inspired.
Profile Image for Fatcat Anna.
7 reviews12 followers
April 14, 2013
I've had Type 1 diabetes since I was a child back in the 60's. Due to living in an area where endo's are difficult to find or up on latest technology - I've had to self teach myself on how to be my own "endo" - and learn as much as I can about taking control of my diabetes. Gary's book has helped an old D-fart like myself - know how to control their diabetes both with an insulin pump AND multiple dose injections (MDI) - and to attain same control of blood sugar with both methods. MDI is the most affordable way to control diabetes - but not everyone's cuppa tea - but it CAN be done with perseverance and patience (lots of it)< Gary does seem to favour insulin pumps - but due to Americans being the most prominent users of these expensive devices in our big blue marble - that is to be expected. O
Profile Image for Sergey Edunov.
1 review
December 31, 2016
My family is new to T1D. This book explained hundreds of questions we had and it made me understand so much more about the disease. It doesn't waste time explaining obvious things like how to draw blood or fill syringe like many other books do. This one goes straight into important aspects of handling the disease. And I really appreciate that the author explains underlying physiological processes, it really helps to better understand what is going on and why should we do certain things. E.g. our doctor told us to that if the pump is off or broken for more than 2 hours it is really dangerous, but she never explained why. This book did. Now I understand how liver can boost your sugar level up in response to low insulin and I'll be more vigilant in controlling that the pump works.

Great book!
Profile Image for Pauline.
358 reviews22 followers
March 29, 2011
This is a well put together book about using insulin in diabetes. It is clear and covers so many things that influence blood glucose levels in diabetics. It is readable and straight forward. This book empowers the diabetic to take control of their disease and conquer it.

The one complaint I do have is the units...when will the United States join the rest of the word and use standardized units, it would make life so much simpler.
Profile Image for No, David! No!.
514 reviews4 followers
April 30, 2017
I couldn't actually finish it. The book and the diagrams and exhibits had all kinds of errors (including simple math calculation problems). And this is a second edition, so those should have been caught. I was originally excited about the ideas as we manage my son's diabetes, but this was really poorly written.
448 reviews
January 1, 2018
This is a useful book for those either with diabetes or supporting someone with diabetes. I’ve learned quite a few useful tips and enhanced my understanding of why rules I’ve followed make sense or need to be adjusted. The only downside I found is the material seems a little dated (and some of the links are no longer active), but the general advise is sound.
Profile Image for Melanie.
589 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2023
This book was fascinating and very helpful. I hope none of you have to read it ever, but if you or someone you know is diagnosed with Diabetes (specifically type 1, but insulin dependent type 2s could also benefit), this is a great resource. I'm going to be an unlicensed medical doctor by the time the year is out at this rate.
Profile Image for Sallie.
13 reviews2 followers
June 30, 2010
My 11 year old son was recently diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This is the best book I've found (highly recommended by other parents of T1 kids) for truly understanding the disease and how to adjust insulin to offset the carbs he eats.
Profile Image for Angie.
376 reviews13 followers
September 3, 2009
An enjoyable (?) read that made sense 95% of the time. A little of the theoretical math in the last part of the book was just beyond me. But the book filled in some gaps left by all my previous type 1 diabetes education and gave me new material for my list of questions for the endocrinologist.
2 reviews2 followers
May 8, 2008
Best diabetes management book I've ever found, with added bonus of best title.
Profile Image for Jeanna.
82 reviews
Want to read
June 24, 2008
met a woman this morning who said this book really helped her with her son's Type 1.
43 reviews
October 4, 2018
I learned a lot from this book. I think I will buy it. It will be a great reference for managing diabetes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews

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