CGM Guide: Real-Time Glucose Monitoring Made Simple
What does CGM stand for? CGM stands for continuous glucose monitoring, a technology that constantly tracks your glucose levels. It is suitable not only for people with type 1 diabetes, but also for those with type 2 diabetes who require insulin therapy, as well as for other individuals in need.
This article provides a detailed explanation of the little diabetes patch; whether you are newly diagnosed or have been living with diabetes for some time, you may find this article helpful. Let’s get started!
How Does CGM Work
Typically, a CGM comprises several components: a sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver.
•Sensor: The sensor is inserted under the skin to monitor glucose levels in the interstitial fluid. It measures glucose concentration every few minutes.
•Transmitter: The transmitter sends data read by the sensor to the PDM (personal diabetes manager) or other apps via Bluetooth.
•Receiver: The receiver can be a smartphone, tablet, computer, or smartwatch. It displays readings captured by the sensor and issues alerts for abnormal readings. If you're using the PDM or the EasyPatch mobile app, you can even use them to adjust your insulin pump settings.
These three components work together to constantly monitor your glucose levels, enabling you to check your blood glucose trends at any time. Understanding your body better will make managing your diabetes easier and more personalised.
The design of CGMs varies between brands. With some brands, such as Medtrum, the sensor can be replaced separately, meaning there is no need to replace the entire CGM. This saves a considerable amount of money over time.
The Differences Between a Glucose Meter and a CGM
Both glucose meters and CGMs are useful parts of a blood glucose test kit for managing diabetes, each providing a different type of data.
Glucose Meter
Blood glucose meters use fingerstick testing, which involves collecting blood from the fingertip to measure glucose levels. A fingerstick test reflects the glucose level in the blood, while a CGM measures interstitial fluid glucose. Furthermore, CGM readings are subject to a time lag of around 5–15 minutes between blood and interstitial fluid glucose levels[1,2].
However, finger-prick glucose monitoring can only provide information at specific points in time and cannot demonstrate ongoing trends in glucose levels. Therefore, when it comes to predicting high or low blood sugar levels in advance, patients need to rely on single-point readings and their own experience to make a judgement.
People with type 1 diabetes are recommended to monitor their blood glucose frequently to help manage their blood sugar levels more effectively. NICE recommends monitoring at least four times a day (before meals and at bedtime), and up to ten times a day if necessary[1,3].
However, frequent finger pricks can bring more than just inconvenience to patients. Research shows that around 46% of people with type 1 diabetes and 37.5% of people with type 2 diabetes said they experienced 'pain' when using a fingerstick to check their blood sugar. These patients also reported feeling more stressed and having a lower quality of life[4]. The mental burden is as painful as the physical discomfort.
It's a good idea to always carry an emergency kit with you, including blood glucose monitoring supplies and urine or blood ketone testing tools, so you're prepared when you need them.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)
When it comes to portability, CGMs have a clear advantage when you're out and about. As long as you are wearing one, it is highly unlikely that you will forget to take it with you. Moreover, many CGMs are so small that they are barely noticeable when you are standing or sitting, making them a great choice for your glucose check kit.
Furthermore, CGMs provide an accurate picture of interstitial glucose levels over time and deliver relatively accurate readings at any given moment. However, there is a certain degree of deviation between interstitial and blood glucose readings, known as the MARD. Generally speaking, a figure below 10% is considered good performance[5].
If you are being treated with insulin or using non-insulin treatments that may cause hypoglycaemia, or if you need to improve your blood glucose management, a CGM system will be the ideal choice[1]. CGM is highly recommended to be initiated, just at the time of diagnosis, for people with diabetes who are receiving insulin treatment, including all those with type 1 diabetes[1]. These patients often experience severe fluctuations in their blood glucose levels due to the severe lack of insulin in their bodies, caused by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells. This increases their risk of both hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) as a result.
What Makes TouchCare Nano CGM a More Convenient Glucose Test Kit
Imagine a CGM that is so lightweight that you can hold it effortlessly on your fingertip. Medtrum's TouchCare Nano CGM is exactly that: an ultra-slim, discreet CGM patch that weighs only 2.7 g — as light as a small plastic spoon. It supports both calibrated and non-calibrated modes, being a useful addition to your diabetes home test kits, and providing you with great convenience in testing blood sugar at home or outside. Taking glucose readings every two minutes, it provides timely alerts to reduce abnormal glucose fluctuations.
What’s more, it can be worn continuously for up to 14 days, and once that period ends, only the sensor needs to be replaced, while the transmitter can be recharged and used again. This not only makes the system more practical and cost-effective, but also helps take the stress and inconvenience out of everyday blood glucose monitoring.
Meet Medtrum and Enjoy a Simple Life
After reading the article, you must have learned more about CGM — the fascinating technology that is changing our lives.
You have also met Medtrum, a company dedicated to diabetes for nearly two decades. Medtrum is transforming diabetes management with its cutting-edge technology, which alleviates patients’ daily concerns. Its TouchCare Nano CGM system is ultra-slim and discreet, offering 14 days of continuous monitoring with no routine fingerstick calibration required and transmitting glucose readings every two minutes. Its waterproof design, which is rated IP28 up to 1 hour at a depth of 2.5m, suits all kinds of daily activities, while personalised alerts help users to deal with high and low blood sugar levels in advance.
When paired with the TouchCare Nano CGM and the Artificial Pancreatic Algorithm (APGO), it completes the integrated Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) System, also known as the Hybrid Closed Loop system. It helps reduce the burden of daily carb counting, taking your diabetes management to the next level.
Activate your CGM and start living a simpler life!
