What is CGM?
CGM is short for ‘Continuous Glucose Monitoring’ and is usually a device that sits on or under the skin. This will continuously read your glucose levels across the period of time that you wear the device. These readings will come through to your mobile phone or a separate reader device, and you will be able to see all of your data displayed across the days worn.
The CGM works through a sensor inserted into or on top of the skin and reads the interstitial glucose levels (glucose found in the fluid around the cells).
When looking at the readings coming through, you want to see a steady line, rather than a large spike. Having some spikes can be normal, as long as you stay between the two lines, and the fewer highs and lows there are, the more controlled your diabetes is.
The CGM works through a sensor inserted into or on top of the skin and reads the interstitial glucose levels (glucose found in the fluid around the cells).
It is still important to have access to capillary blood glucose measurements to check the accuracy of your CGM device and in case of emergency.
If you are given a CGM device, you should have proper training in how to use it, know what your targets are and what to do if you get a reading that is out of target.
At MySugarWatch, we offer a needle-free CGM device that allows you to monitor your glucose levels for 14 hours at a time. The device reads your blood sugar every 5 minutes during this time totalling 168 readings, which is displayed on our app and shows you your individual time in range. You can work with our diabetes specialist coaches to help to explain the results to you and to help you to make changes to improve your time in range.
References:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2017) Continuous Glucose Monitoring. Available at https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managingdiabetes/continuous-glucose-monitoring (Accessed on 7 December 2022).