How to: Use the Threshold Suspend feature
Our latest integrated system, MiniMed 530G with Enlite, offers the new feature of Threshold Suspend. Threshold Suspend is a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) enabled feature that is designed to automatically stop insulin delivery when your sensor value reaches or falls below a pre-set threshold. You may have heard the news about this important step toward a fully automated artificial pancreas, but how does it actually work?
First, Let's Turn it On
The default setting for Threshold Suspend is OFF. In order to turn this new and exciting feature on, you need to go into your pump's Main Menu > Sensor > Edit Settings > Thresh Suspend > ON and hit ACT to turn on the Threshold Suspend feature. Now that your Threshold Suspend feature is turned on, you can set your Suspend Threshold value between 60 -90 mg/dL. Your healthcare provider will help you determine if this feature is right for you, and will also help you to set the appropriate Threshold Suspend value based on your individual needs.
Now, How Does it Work?
When your sensor glucose reaches or falls below the Threshold Suspend value that you have set, the pump will go into Threshold Suspend. That means the pump will sound an alarm, stop all insulin delivery, and display "THRESH SUSPEND" on the screen. When your pump goes into THRESH SUSPEND, you can do one of two things:
1. Clear the Threshold Suspend alarm and select continue to suspend all insulin delivery for two hours from the time that the alarm first occurred.
2. Clear the Threshold Suspend alarm and select restart basal insulin delivery.
The two options above assume that you are able to respond to the Threshold Suspend alarm. But what happens when you are unable to (or choose not to) respond to the Threshold Suspend alarm? Great question. A few things will happen:
1. The Threshold Suspend alarm will continue to siren until you clear the alarm. (The siren cycle includes intervals of the following: a siren alarm, silence, vibration, silence.)
2. Insulin delivery will remain suspended for 2 hours.
3. Your pump screen will display an emergency message if the alarm isn't clear within two minutes of occurring.
If you do not respond to the Threshold Suspend alarm after insulin delivery has been stopped for two hours, basal delivery will restart (regardless of your sensor glucose value).
Keep in mind, the Threshold Suspend feature is not designed to prevent or treat hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia should always be treated per your healthcare professional's instructions. You can find more information on the Threshold Suspend feature, as well as other new features of the MiniMed 530G with Enlite, on our website or in the User Guide.
Blog comments
Here's the reason I stopped using the threshold suspend: When the CGM is not accurate it suspends basal delivery when it shouldn't. On the first day and last day of the sensor it is often quite different then actual blood glucose. I would often get a low sensor alarm, check my BG which would show normal BG. I would "re-calibrate" the sensor but it would not change and would sometimes trigger a threshold suspend. It got annoying enough that I turned the feature off. Now if only Medtronic would build the sensor that would re-calibrate to the BG or at least somewhere near it.
Hi Gary. Thank you for your feedback. I am sorry you’ve had a frustrating experience with the Threshold Suspend feature. A member of my team will contact you to try to help resolve the issues you’re having, and answer any other questions you may have. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.
when i wear my sensor the calibration alarm gets very frustrating. it would be nice if one could turn that off.
Hi Ada. I am sorry to hear you are frustrated with your sensor alarms. I will have someone from my team contact you shortly to try to help. In the meantime, you may find this information on our website helpful - http://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/customer-support/alerts. You may also call the 24-Hour HelpLine any time at 1.800.646.4633, option 1 for further assistance.
I AM UNABLE TO SPEAK!!!
I've been using the Paradigm for several years. For most of them, Medicare has been my primary insurance. Their rules are getting stricter and stricter. Now I have to order every month?! I've had times where the catheter didn't work and I've had to replace it. Then I don't have enough to last until my next order. If that weren't bad enough, your Medicare Department is terrible! No one is on the same page. For instance, the first time I called this year the rep said nothing about having to order every month. Then they told me they would put in my next order right then so there's no lapse in coverage. The second rep said that can't be done. I usually have to place 3 orders before one goes through. How will I do that in only a month??? There HAS to be a way so that the whole ordering process is not so hit or miss. My life depends on it. What has Medtronic done to resolve this issue--and the signing issue? The stupid UPS guy won't even get out of his truck to deliver. He honks once and leaves. It's impossible to catch him before he leaves. Please, either clear these problems up or I'll go back to syringes. This is too stressful.
I want a CGM, but am only on Disability. I had one years ago, but the cost prevented me from using it and it dat in my diabetes cabinet and my wire hair terrier chewed on it. I'm losing my ability to feel lows and am afraid to leave my bed. I pass out constantly. Is there a program that I can get one for no cost to me? My life is barely worth living.
Lisa, I’m sorry to hear you’re having a difficult time. We do offer financial assistance to those who qualify, which you can learn more about here: www.medtronicdiabetes.com/customer-support/ordering-and-billing/billing. Please let us know if you have any other questions. I will also have a teammate reach out to you via email to see if they can help with ordering supplies.
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