Type 1 diabetes has a way of turning life into a constant stream of numbers, interruptions, or distractions. Glucose readings, trend arrows, alerts, alarms, corrections, carb counts, and insulin doses all matter, but together can make diabetes feel like data is always asking for your attention.
Continuous glucose monitors have changed diabetes care in extraordinary ways by giving people more information, safety, and peace of mind. But living with that much information can also be mentally exhausting. Sometimes, you do not need another notification, screen, or number to interpret. Sometimes, you just need a gentler way to know where things stand.
That is why we love discovering innovations that improve not only diabetes technology, but also the experience of living with T1D.
In this Product Spotlight, we are highlighting Glowcose, a company that found a beautifully simple way to make glucose awareness feel calmer, more visual, and a little less intrusive.
Origin Story
Glowcose was created by Kevin Terry for his wife, Kelly, who lives with Type 1 diabetes. During her pregnancy, managing her glucose within a tighter range became even more important and brought added worry for both of them. Kevin wanted a way to know she was safe without constantly checking her phone or making her feel watched, so he created a light that changes color based on her CGM readings. What began as a personal way to support his wife overnight eventually became Glowcose, a thoughtfully designed product for the broader diabetes community.
The idea started with a simple but meaningful goal: to make glucose awareness easier, calmer, and less dependent on screens while helping people with diabetes and their loved ones stay connected in a more natural way.
How it Works
Rather than constantly reaching for a phone, Glowcose sits on a desk, nightstand, or shelf and softly changes color based on your glucose levels. The device connects to compatible CGMs through Wi-Fi and works with multiple systems, including Dexcom, FreeStyle Libre, Medtronic, and platforms through Nightscout integration.
Users can customize their ranges and corresponding colors based on their individual needs. Red indicates low, green indicates in range, and purple indicates high, with gradients between colors to show where glucose levels may be trending. By translating glucose data into color, Glowcose makes awareness feel more visual, accessible, and natural while still giving users the information they need to know when to check in further.
My Experience with Glowcose (As a Type 1 Diabetic)
As someone who has lived with Type 1 diabetes for more than 20 years, I know that managing diabetes isn’t just physically demanding—it can be mentally exhausting, too. There are days when it feels like every decision revolves around a number, and even with incredible technology like a CGM, it can be difficult to escape the constant awareness of your glucose.
Using Glowcose felt surprisingly calming. Instead of instinctively reaching for my phone, I found myself naturally glancing at the light throughout the day. It gave me a sense of awareness without making me feel like I needed to analyze every number immediately.
One aspect that really resonated with me was thinking about what this could mean for families. Growing up with Type 1 diabetes, I remember feeling embarrassed by certain glucose readings or worrying that a high number meant I had somehow disappointed the people who cared about me. Looking back, I know those numbers never determined my worth, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t sometimes feel that way.
I love the idea that a simple color can shift the conversation. Instead of immediately focusing on whether a glucose value is “good” or “bad,” it creates an opportunity to simply notice, check in, and respond. It feels a little gentler, especially for children who are still learning that diabetes management is about information, not perfection.
One of my favorite ways I’ve incorporated Glowcose into my routine is at night. If I wake up, I can simply peek across the room and immediately have a sense of where my glucose is without grabbing my phone. It helps me avoid waking myself up even more or getting distracted by notifications when all I wanted was the reassurance that everything was okay.
Most of all, I appreciate that Glowcose doesn’t ask more of me. It quietly exists in the background, becoming part of my environment instead of competing for my attention. Living with Type 1 diabetes means carrying this condition every single day, so I truly value companies that think creatively about making that experience feel a little lighter, a little more personalized, and even a bit more enjoyable.
Who Might Love Glowcose
- Parents checking on a child overnight
- Partners who use CGM sharing
- Students who don’t have or can’t check phone in class
- College students
- People who work from home
- Families wanting a less intrusive way to stay aware
- Anyone looking to reduce how often they instinctively check their phone
Want to learn more or support life-changing Type 1 diabetes research?
At Diabetes Research Connection, we fund early-career scientists working on innovative approaches to prevent, treat, and ultimately cure Type 1 diabetes.
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Brooklynn Hamilton
Since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at the age of 3, Brooklynn has been a passionate advocate for T1D research, representing the T1D community at many events and media appearances and helping to raise over $600,000 for T1D research. In her role as a T1D Youth Ambassador, she spoke at the JDRF Children’s Congress in Washington, D.C., Stanford University, and Americans for Cures to promote funding for stem cell research initiatives and the NIH Special Diabetes Program. Brooklynn graduated from Texas Christian University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is now excited to use her skills and voice as DRC’s Development Coordinator to continue to drive research forward and advance breakthroughs in T1D cures for herself and the millions of others living with T1D.
