What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a small wearable device that gives people with diabetes important data they need to make decisions about their diabetes.

What is a CGM?

A CGM is a small wearable device that tracks your glucose levels in real-time throughout the day and night. It works by testing interstitial fluid. A CGM can automatically collect and share glucose data that predicts dangerous highs and lows before they happen to help diabetes patients stay within their target range.

CGMs alert the wearer to high or low levels while also charting their glucose levels about every 5 minutes on a smartphone or separate receiver device.

How do the FreeStyle Libre 2 and Dexcom G6 work?

The FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor is FDA-approved for wear on your upper arm. The Dexcom G6 sensor is FDA-approved for wear on your abdomen, upper buttocks or upper arm.

These CGMs do not require finger sticks, but they do require you to have the receiver/reader or a smart device nearby. CGMs can automatically collect and share glucose data and can predict dangerous highs and lows before they happen to help you stay within your target range.

The visible portion of a CGM is the transmitter, which is sits on top of the skin with an adhesive that holds the entire device in place. Many people apply a second adhesive on top of the entire transmitter to protect it and ensure it stays on.

The process of inserting the CGM sensor is easy and virtually painless. It can easily be done at home and takes just a few minutes from start to finish.

Who should use a CGM?

• People with type 1 diabetes taking insulin via injections or pumps
• People with type 2 diabetes taking insulin via injections or pumps and/or have frequent episodes of very low glucose
• People who have trouble recognizing the symptoms of low glucose (hypoglycemia unawareness)
• People who often have wide glucose fluctuations
• People who would like to have more information or improve their daily glucose numbers

How does a CGM help?

• Recognize glucose trends so you can better manage eating, exercise and medication
• Track your glucose levels while you are sleeping
• Understand the importance of taking medication and the timing of medication
• Make it easier to manage Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
• Alert you to highs and lows allowing you to make changes quickly and prevent a larger problem

Go to our Qualify Through Insurance page to start the process of getting your CGM covered through insurance.