Intruduction – My twiist Insulin Pump Review
When I first heard about the twiist insulin pump, I was intrigued by its promise of intuitive technology and tight glucose control. I submitted an interest form on the twiist website, and to my surprise and excitement, I was selected to be part of their limited initial launch.
This review is based on my personal experience during the first week of using the twiist pump in real life. I want to be clear, this is not a sponsored post. I did not receive any compensation for writing this review, nor did twiist know I planned to share my thoughts publicly. My goal is to offer honest, transparent insights to help others consider whether twiist might be a good fit for their diabetes management journey.
Connection & Setup
Switching from the Tandem Mobi to the twiist insulin pump was surprisingly easy. The setup process was intuitive and streamlined, which made transitioning feel less daunting. Having used a DIY Loop system in the past, I was already familiar with the Tidepool Loop interface, which definitely helped.
The twiist offers three control methods (iPhone, Apple Watch, and on-pump button), and I found navigating these options pretty seamless.
One hiccup did arise when I tried to set up the Libre 3+ CGM using the Libre app, unaware that the Libre 3+ can only be paired with one device. I’m used to Dexcom, which allows linking to the Dexcom app first and pairing later. That misunderstanding cost me a sensor, but it was a learning moment.
Auto-insulin Delivery & Algorithm Performance
When paired with an accurate sensor, the twiist Loop, powered by Tidepool, has performed beautifully. It’s done a fantastic job keeping me in my target glucose range.
Although the six-hour glucose forecast feature updates every 5 minutes, I personally didn’t find it particularly helpful. So much can change in a short time, and sometimes the predictions didn’t make much sense. For example, showing “eventually low” when things were stable.
Correction boluses, however, have been timely and spot-on.
iiSure™ Technology & Occlusion Detection
I don’t typically experience occlusions, so it’s hard to judge the iiSure™ sound-wave detection feature definitively. However, I did receive an occlusion alarm in the middle of the night within the first few days. After I disconnected the pump, it ran a self-test and found no issues, which gave me some peace of mind.
Wearability & Design
The pump is slightly larger than the Tandem Mobi, but it’s still compact enough to fit comfortably in my front pocket. I haven’t tried the clip yet because it looks a bit flimsy and there is not an adhesive patch available yet, but I’ve had no issues with comfort during extended wear.
Insulin Reservoir & Logistics
The 300-unit reservoir is a step up from what I’m used to, which is definitely convenient with my increasing insulin needs during pregnancy. Changing the disposable cassette every three days is simple, and I didn’t find the replacement frequency to be a problem. I feel pretty neutral about the interval overall.
Daily Use & Flexibility
I haven’t explored the pre-meal or workout presets yet, but I did use the post-meal carb adjustment once, and it was an easy process. That said, this feature isn’t yet a major part of my routine.
Insurance, Cost & Support
Because I’ve already met my out-of-pocket max for the year, my first month with twiist cost me $0. Ongoing, it should remain affordable. However, my insurance doesn’t currently cover the Libre 3+, so I’m paying $35 per sensor using a manufacturer discount program while my doctor’s office works on prior authorization.
I’ve had an excellent experience with Sequel Medical so far. Everyone I’ve spoken to has been helpful and knowledgeable, and many of them live with Type 1 themselves. A local rep even went to my doctor’s office to help push the prescription through when calls went unanswered. twiist is currently only distributed through Bryam, and while I’ve had negative experiences with them in the past, this time things went smoothly.
Overall Impressions
The biggest win this week has been improved glucose control compared to the Mobi. It’s encouraging to see such noticeable improvements so early on.
The only frustration has come from getting used to the Libre 3+ and some potential compression lows. It’s unclear whether it’s a sensor issue or something more systemic, but I’m hopeful it will smooth out over time.
Conclusion
In just one week, the twiist insulin pump has proven to be a reliable and intuitive device that’s already delivering better glucose control. Despite a few bumps in the road, my experience has been largely positive, and I’m excited to see how things progress from here.
If you want to know more information about the twiist insulin pump, check out their website here at twiist.com
Stay tuned for my upcoming review of the Libre 3+ CGM to learn how it holds up when paired with twiist!
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