The excitement of learning he was going to be a dad filled Karan Darji's thoughts in the fall of 2023. But that joy was interrupted by unexpected news. After a long-overdue physical exam, Karan received an alert from his health portal late one Sunday night. His A1C was elevated. Suddenly overwhelmed and anxious, he found himself thinking, "Where do I go from here?"
The next day, his doctor confirmed what the numbers suggested: Karan had Type 2 diabetes. His initial A1C reading was over 14%, well above the recommended target of less than 7% for people with diabetes. His doctor immediately started him on medication, and when Karan inquired about the Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, he received a prescription for Dexcom G6.
A Mindset Shift
Knowing he wanted to be healthy and present when his daughter arrived, Karan started learning. He quickly discovered the challenge of navigating conflicting advice online. Different sources recommended vastly different approaches, leaving him uncertain about what would actually work for his body and lifestyle. Eventually, he found some trusted social media accounts focused on diabetes management that resonated with him. But even with trusted sources, he still wasn't sure which advice would work best for his specific situation.
This is where the Dexcom CGM became invaluable, helping him cut through the noise by showing him in real-time how his body responded to different foods and activities. He began incorporating dietary changes and new routines into his daily life, using his glucose data to guide his decisions and validate what he was learning online. The results were encouraging. His numbers started improving almost immediately. Within months, he upgraded to Dexcom G7, appreciating its smaller size*, shorter warm-up time*, and the convenience of wearing it on the back of his arm. More importantly, his mindset began to shift. "I had been thinking 'how do I get over this?'" Karan reflects. "But then I realized this isn't just a cold. Diabetes is here to stay, and I'm going to be living with it for a long time."
Family Support and Shared Health Goals
The diagnosis brought an unexpected silver lining: family connection. Karan's father, who also lives with Type 2 diabetes, initially felt guilty, wondering if genetics had played a role in his son's diagnosis. But that guilt transformed into solidarity. His dad began making the same healthy changes Karan was implementing, turning diabetes management into a family journey. For Karan, this shared commitment to health became a powerful example of the kind of father he wanted to be for his own daughter, showing her the importance of taking care of yourself and supporting the people you love.
The Reality of New Parenthood
When daughter Aria was born, the stress of new parenthood tested Karan's resolve. He admitted he "fell off" as far as diabetes management goes. It wasn't an immediate priority as all of his energy was directed toward adjusting to life with a newborn and the various challenges that come with new parenthood. He even stopped wearing his Dexcom G7 for a period of time.
When he started wearing it again, it felt like he was starting over. Getting back on track has been more of a journey than a quick fix. It's been a learning curve as he figures out what works for him in this new phase of his life.
The device's practical features have proved invaluable during this adjustment period. Silent alarms keep monitoring discreet at work and at home, helpful when he's trying to put Aria down for a nap without an alert disrupting the moment. He also connects his Dexcom G7 directly to his Apple Watch, providing glucose readings even when his phone inevitably gets left behind as he chases after his toddler. The food logging feature helps him understand how specific meals impact his levels, giving him accurate data as he works to rebuild healthier habits.
Now he's focused on getting back into the groove of exercise, building more muscle mass through resistance training, and trying to get back to hitting his daily step goals. "If I got moving, that's what helped," he says, noting how exercise not only manages stress but visibly improves his glucose readings.
Measurable Progress
Despite the challenges of new parenthood, the numbers tell a remarkable story. By the end of January 2024, just months after his diagnosis, Karan's A1C had dropped dramatically from over 14% down to 7.2%**. He's also lost 10 pounds this year through a combination of dietary changes and exercise. The continuous glucose monitoring has been key to maintaining this progress, helping him stay accountable even during the most chaotic parenting moments.
Looking Ahead
As Karan prepares for his next A1C check, he's optimistic the improvements will continue. He's found a sustainable rhythm that balances diabetes management with the joys and challenges of parenting. Most importantly, he's looking forward to growing his family, confident in his ability to maintain his health for whatever comes next.
His journey illustrates how the right tools, support system, and mindset can transform an unexpected diagnosis into an opportunity for better health, not just for himself, but for his entire family. As Karan puts it, "Don't resist the diagnosis. It's easy to brush it off in the beginning. But if you lean into it, whether you have a CGM or not, start tracking your levels and see where you can make adjustments so that long term the future version of yourself will thank you."
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*Compared to previous Dexcom CGM systems **Individual results may vary