New Technology Helps Patient Control His Type 2 Diabetes

Bob Penrod of Chardon, Ohio, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 1999.

“I was 50 years old at the time. I got on some different medications and started seeing an endocrinologist, but things weren’t going very well,” he said.

Bob took multiple medications, including insulin, but always struggled to keep his sugars under control.

“It was an absolute rollercoaster,” he said. “My sugars would go bonkers in the morning, like in the 300s. I was a raging diabetic in the morning, but by the evening it would even out. But then overnight I’d go low.”

Diabetes is a growing national epidemic and the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Whether type 1 or 2, it’s associated with serious health complications. Uncontrolled high sugar levels can lead to heart disease, kidney failure, stroke and blindness. Other negative outcomes include nerve damage, foot problems/amputation and dental issues.

“The management of type 2 diabetes becomes very complicated when patients require fast acting insulin at each meal,” said Brian Burtch, MD, endocrinologist with University Hospitals and member of Bob’s care team. “Despite hours of education, insulin adjustments and use of other diabetes medications, Bob’s sugars weren’t being adequately controlled.”

In 2021, Dr. Burtch prescribed Bob a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which measures glucose levels using a small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. It replaces routine fingerstick tests by providing real-time glucose readings that can be viewed with a reader or smartphone app.

The Freestyle Libre (CGM brand that Bob received) helped some, but Bob still struggled to stay off that sugar rollercoaster.

Then, in the summer of 2024, a breakthrough technology became available to people with type 2 diabetes. The FDA approval of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems expanded from only people with type 1 diabetes to people with type 2 diabetes. AID systems consist of a wearable pod or insulin pump that delivers insulin, a controller or compatible smartphone app, and a compatible CGM. The system automatically delivers insulin every five minutes based on CGM readings to keep glucose levels in a target range.

Bob paired his CGM with the Omnipod 5 AID system in August of 2025 and has enjoyed amazing results.

“It fairly quickly learned who I am and began working really well for me,” said Bob. “It’s working and dosing my insulin in the background without me even having to think about it.”

After decades of uncontrolled sugars, Bob achieved consistent numbers within target range almost immediately after he began using the AID system. Now, Bob is within target range more than 90 percent of the time, compared to less than 60 percent of the time before, and he’s discontinued two of his diabetes medications.

“At UH, we offer the latest technology with the ultimate goal of offering our patients the best interventions to better manage their health,” said Natalie Bellini, CNP, an endocrine nurse practitioner and Program Director of Technology with the University Hospitals Diabetes & Metabolic Care Center. “Some patients need continuous glucose sensors and use them all the time, and others need them intermittently. Some patients need AID systems. We offer those patients all the available product options and match them to the individual’s needs at the time.”

“We’re so happy to be able to offer this technology to our diabetes patients. It not only controls blood sugars better, it improves our patients’ daily quality of life,” said Dr. Burtch.

Now 76, Bob needs knee surgery, but that was not safe to pursue when his A1C was too high. He’s hopeful with this new technology, he can keep his A1C down, undergo his needed surgery, and live a healthier life.

“I’ve even started eating and drinking healthier now, especially at breakfast,” he said. “It’s really nice not having to give myself four or five shots a day. Now, I have less to worry about.”