Correction Factor: One Simple Setting Adjustment for Better Glucose Control

By Tandem Cares

Sep 3, 2026

Every automated insulin delivery (AID) system has adjustable settings to optimize glycemic control. In some systems, an adjustable target is the most impactful lever to pull. In Control-IQ+ technology, Correction Factor has the greatest impact on mean glucose.

For individuals aiming for lower mean glucose levels or who are experiencing frequent hyperglycemia, strengthening the Correction Factor can optimize basal and bolus in one simple tweak and help improve time in range (TIR) without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.1

Correction Factor is the most impactful setting because it influences all aspects of insulin delivery – basal delivery, AutoBolus, and user-given boluses.

  • Impact on bolus: A stronger Correction Factor allows once-hourly AutoBoluses* to be more impactful and bring down hyperglycemia faster

  • Impact on basal: A stronger Correction Factor reducess constraints and allows for more dynamic basal insulin delivery

Stronger Correction Factor Resulted in Maximized TIR Without Increasing Hypoglycemia1

Correction factor-resulting in maximized TIR

Results from a retrospective analysis of data from 22,000 users of Control-IQ+ over 3+ months of real-world use. Basal and insulin:carb ratios were also associated with higher TIR, but slightly higher time <70 mg/dL.

Practical Application:2

When starting a patient on Control-IQ+, whether coming from MDI or another AID system, it is recommended to start with a Correction Factor calculation of </= 1700/TDI. Starting settings can be more conservative as long as early optimization (day 3-14) is prioritized.

A stronger Correction Factor of <1580 is associated with higher TIR without increasing time below range. Remember, for Correction Factor, the lower the number, the stronger the setting.

For patients who struggle with mealtime bolusing, an even stronger Correction Factor can help maximize the impact of AutoBolus to account for missed mealtime insulin (e.g., <1500/TDI).

*If glucose values are predicted to be above 180 mg/dL, Control-IQ+ technology calculates an AutoBolus using the Personal Profile settings and a target of 110 mg/dL and delivers 60% of that value.

References:

  1. Messer LH and Breton MD. Therapy settings associated with optimal outcomes for t:slim X2 with Control-IQ Technology in real-world clinical care. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2023;25(12):877-882.

  2. Shah VN, Choudhary P, Halperin I, Rabbone I, Zaharieva DP, Messer L. Rethinking control-IQ+ technology: Simple strategies for easy optimization. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2026;28(5):3502-3514. doi:10.1111/dom.70500

Important Safety Information:

RX ONLY.

Control-IQ+ technology: Control-IQ+ technology is intended for use with compatible integrated continuous glucose monitors (iCGM, sold separately) and alternate controller enabled (ACE) pumps to automatically increase, decrease, and suspend delivery of basal insulin based on iCGM readings and predicted glucose values. It can also deliver correction boluses when the glucose value is predicted to exceed a predefined threshold. Control-IQ+ technology is intended for the management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in persons 2 years of age and greater and of type 2 diabetes mellitus in persons 18 years of age and greater.

WARNING: Control-IQ+ technology should not be used in anyone under the age of 2 years old with type 1 diabetes or under the age of 18 years old with type 2 diabetes. It should also not be used in patients who require less than a total daily insulin dose of 5 units of insulin per day or who weigh less than 20 pounds (9 kilograms), as those are the required minimum values needed for Control-IQ+ to operate safely.

Users of the pump and Control-IQ+ must: use the insulin pump, iCGM, and all other system components in accordance with their respective instructions for use. Failure to follow these instructions for use could result in an over delivery or under delivery of insulin. This can cause hypoglycemia (low BG) or hyperglycemia (high BG) events. Visit tandemdiabetes.com/safetyinfo for additional important safety information.

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