What’s the data a CGM device gives and how can you use it?
Firstly, why do we need a CGM or Continuous Glucose Monitoring device?
A Continuous Glucose Monitoring device is useful for effective diabetes management. It enables individuals to observe glucose levels in real-time, anticipate complications, be cognizant, customize treatment, and better the quality of life. The device consists of a tiny sensor that is placed beneath the skin to measure glucose levels in the fluid surrounding the tissue. The CGM device constantly monitors glucose levels and sends the information to a reader.
How is CGM Beneficial?
A Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) device can be beneficial for various individuals- People with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes, those on Intensive Insulin Therapy, pregnant women with diabetes, can use it to adjust treatment plans, and to prevent complications like hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.
In short, a CGM device offers real-time glucose monitoring, trend information, and historical data, and empowers patients with diabetes to make timely and informed decisions to manage their blood glucose levels effectively.
FreeStyle Libre usage
The FreeStyle Libre CGM device offers convenient and painless glucose level checks. Do away with the painful fingerstick testing and know your glucose levels in just one second by scanning the reader over the sensor attached to your upper arm.
What’s the data a CGM device gives and how can you use it?
What’s the data a CGM device gives and how can you use it?
A CGM freestyle libre device provides the following information:
Glucose readings: It shows up-to-date glucose levels and tracks them throughout the day, presenting a clear picture of how they change over time.
Trend arrows: The device shows whether glucose levels are increasing, decreasing, or stable. It offers insights into the rate of blood sugar variabilities.
High and low alerts: Users can set limits on the device to receive alerts when glucose levels go beyond required ranges, helping them efficiently manage their blood sugar.
Historical data: CGM devices store glucose data over time, allowing one to review and analyse their patterns, help them distinguish trends and make knowledgeable decisions about their diabetes management.
One can use all the available information, including current readings, trend arrow, and the glucose history graph, to make smart assessments.
What is Time in Range? (TIR)
Time in Range (TIR) is the measure of time your glucose levels stay within a certain target range. When you begin using your device, you can input your target glucose range, that your healthcare provider gives you.
The device automatically calculates the percentage of time you spend in, above, and below the target range.
Increasing your TIR has a direct effect on reducing your HbA1c; a measure of long-term blood glucose control.
The advice is to aim for a minimum of 70% of your time within the target glucose range (70 – 180 mg/dL).
Make use of the device data to gain insights into how your food choices, physical activities, and medications affect your glucose levels.
By using the data provided by CGM devices, we can:
- Gain better awareness of glucose levels throughout the day
- Modify our diet, exercise, and medication based on live data
- Comprehend how blood glucose levels respond to different factors and make informed lifestyle choices
- Work towards attaining and maintaining target glucose ranges for better diabetes management.
To know more about Continuous Glucose Monitoring, visit this website.
You can buy Freestyle libre here.
The information mentioned in this document is only suggestive/for patient education and shall not be considered as a substitute for doctor’s advice or recommendations from Abbott. Please consult your doctor for more information
Any photos displayed are for illustrative purposes only. Any person depicted in such photos is a model.
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This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Want to read more about diabetes? Check out these-Accessible And User-Friendly Glucose Monitoring Is Possible With CGM or How do you ensure that you stay stronger and healthy as you age? What’s restricting you from getting improved strength, immunity, and overall health? How can you build that strength to live nonstop as you grow older?
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I have recently come across the CGM device and think that it is truly a boon for diabetics. One of the horrors of continuous monitoring of sugar levels is the frequent jabs for blood samples. With its non-invasive method, the CGM device is truly a life saver. Sandy N Vyjay
Continuous glucose monitoring is very essential with rise in lifestyle diseases. This is very much needed to have timely checks .
As a doctor I assumed that it must be common knowledge that Continuous Glucose Monitoring CGM is useful for effective diabetes management, but it isn’t. I am sharing your post and also educating my patients about the Free Libre CGM device.
Thank you Harjeet for this insightful post.
Thank you so much for elaborately explaining about the CGM devices. It will actually be a life saver for many people having diabetes but its no harm in keeping such machine even if you are not having Diabetes. Atleast we can keep a check at our end if in any case we show even the slightest rise in our glucose level and can take precaution to keep the level under check with changes in lifestyle and food habits.
CGM devices are really effective in monitoring sugar levels. It is so much easier than pricking fingers daily. Thank you for sharing the details on how to use it.
As someone who knows a few people with diabetes, I can see how a CGM device would offer peace of mind. The ability to anticipate glucose level trends and adjust treatment plans accordingly is invaluable.
I became aware of this product some months ago through a blog Harjeet and I know it’s very very beneficial to people with diabetes. Infact I have recommended it to several of my relatives and neighbours cuz these days every household has atleast one diabetic patient.😞 I feel it’s a must.
Considering that diabetes is one of the major lifestyle diseases in the world today, this is a helpful device. It seems very useful for people on the go. You can really prevent emergencies by being alert.
Thanks for sharing this valuable information about CGM devices and shedding light on this. As someone who has a family member with diabetes, I find it really interesting to learn about how these devices work and their benefits. The fact that they provide real-time glucose monitoring and historical data is impressive. It must be a game-changer for people with diabetes in managing their blood glucose levels effectively. Plus, the FreeStyle Libre CGM device sounds like a convenient and painless way to check glucose levels. I am going to share it with my sis in law.
CGM look effective for diabetic people. Where it gives full check ups at home without any doctor intervention. Basically diabetic patients need to check it on regular basis and I saw how it goes worse if we can’t pay attention. Thank you for the information. Worth sharing it.
This is very useful information for someone who is new to the device. The instruction manual often ends up overwhelming. Haven’t had anyone use the product yet but always helps to educate oneself.
A device that shows the trends and historical data of what your sugar levels should be and how to moniter them effectively.
This CGM device is such a helpful way to keep track of our glucose levels. I liked the low and high sugar alert which will aid in immediate response accordingly.
A very useful post, Harjeet. This is useful for those who have glucose as they don’t have to wait until the next blood test to know their levels.
I never knew about the advantages of this cgm device. Thanks a lot for sharing. I will try this for my family
I saw such a device used by my mother-in-law to treat her diabetes and it really helped her. except we don’t hear doctors recommending these real-time devices more here in India.
I may not be one of those who use this device (crossfingers, I won’t be using in my lifetime) yet I’m truly grateful for this kind of technology available for those who really need it. Guessing what your sugar level is could be a task. And in instances like this where it could be life threatening, monitoring is essential.
This is a very useful tool. Now that my Glucose levels are acting crazy, I need to get one of this too. I’ll surely keep your post handy when I get my device to refer.
This is so helpful! With both of my elderly in laws diabetic, this is going to be instrumental in maintaining their blood glucose levels.
It’s a useful device for the diabetic patient…. I can say this is a device with love and care for our loved ones.
Seems like a very useful device. Thanks so much for sharing the information in such detail.