Glucose monitoring used to require pricking one’s finger and measuring the glucose contained in that droplet. This was only able to be done a few times per day. As you can guess from the name, CGMs are able to monitor glucose 24/7, and the device syncs with your smartphone’s bluetooth to readily display the data.
The Benefits and Downsides of the 2 Types of CGM’s
There are two types of CGMs: real-time and intermittently scanned. (For a complete list of the pros and cons of each, check out this resource from the American Diabetes Association.)
Intermittently scanned CGMs use a sensor or transmitter in the upper arm, which is scanned with a separate device to get the data. The sensor will continuously sample blood glucose data and give a reading for each minute. Data can be shared with family members, caregivers, or healthcare providers. One downside is that these intermittently scanned CGMs require remembering to scan the sensor, which may be a problem if you’re having a busy day, or if you’re sleeping and not monitoring the device.
Real-time CGMs use a wire catheter inserted on the back of the arm or abdomen. They constantly send data to a smartphone via a compatible app; like the intermittently scanned CGMs, the data can be shared with family members, other caregivers, or healthcare providers. There’s no scanning required for real-time CGMs, and these devices can also alert the wearer (or those the data is shared with) of a high- or low-glucose event.
So, why would someone want to use a CGM?
As a whole, there are many benefits to these devices. A CGM can allow for real-time changes due to high or low blood glucose, which can be lifesaving in some cases! In our practice, using CGMs is helpful because we can directly see how different foods, combinations of macronutrients, meal timing, movement levels/exercise, our body’s stress levels/responses, or even poor sleep, call affect blood glucose levels.
CGMs have increased in popularity in recent years. While Dexcom and Libre are two common brands used by healthcare providers, direct-to-consumer CGMs are on the rise too. You may have seen ads for Levels floating around on the internet, and Oura (makers of the Oura ring) recently acquired Veri, another CGM company.
It’s worth mentioning that insurance coverage may be available for CGMs, but we always recommend speaking with your primary care physician to see if it may be right for you. As nutritionists and dietitians, we can help you make sense of the data and incorporate new strategies to manage your metabolic health.
Our master-level nutritionists are happy to talk with you about a CGM and your health needs, just reach out and we can connect you with expert care in Seattle or from the comfort of your home through a telehealth appointment.
