Technology Corner

 

Continuous Glucose Monitors

Author: MOHAMMED E. AL-SOFIANI, MBBS, MSC

Continuous glucose monitors are devices which use a catheter inserted just below the skin to monitor blood glucose frequently throughout the day. These are connected to a monitor that displays the glucose reading.

Dexcom G6

Unique Features of the CGM Other Features Sensor Duration Limitations
  • No calibration is needed.
  • Non-adjunctive use: CGM readings can be used to make treatment decisions. No fingerstick confirmation is required when making these decisions.
  • Built-in hypoglycemia safety alarm: The Urgent Low Alarm at 55 mg/dl (always on).
  • Customizable alerts when glucose falls below or rises above user-selected limits or when glucose is rapidly falling or rising (optional).
  • Simple auto-applicator.
  • Share feature: Glucose sharing with up to 5 followers (e.g. parents can monitor the glucose readings of their kids remotely)
  • Glucose readings are not affected by taking acetaminophen 1000 mg every 6 hrs or less.

 

  • CGM data and alerts can be sent to smart devices.
  • Slimmer transmitter but larger receiver compared to Dexcom G5
  • The transmitter and sensor are waterproof
  • Compatible with Tandem pumps

 

 

 

 
  • 10 days wear
  • 2-hour warmup after inserting a new sensor

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • Sensor use is strictly limited to 10 days
  • Transmitter must be replaced every 3 months

 

 

 

 

 

Dexcom G5

 

  • Non-adjunctive use: CGM readings Can be used to make treatment decisions. No Fingerstick confirmation is required when making these decisions.
  • Built-in hypoglycemia safety alarm: The Urgent Low Alarm at 55 mg/dl (always on).
  • Customizable alerts when glucose falls below or rises above user-selected limits or when glucose is rapidly falling or rising (optional).
  • Share feature: Glucose sharing with up to 5 followers (e.g. parents can monitor the glucose readings of their kids remotely)

  • CGM data and alerts can be sent to smart devices.
  • Thicker transmitter but slightly smaller receiver compared to Dexcom G6
  • The transmitter and sensor are waterproof
  • Compatible with Tandem pumps
  • 7 days wear
  • 2-hour warmup after inserting a new sensor
  •  
  • Taking acetaminophen makes the readings inaccurate
  • Calibration is needed every 12 hours.

Dexcom G4

 

  • Built-in hypoglycemia safety alarm: The Urgent Low Alarm at 55 mg/dl (always on).
  • Customizable alerts when glucose falls below or rises above user-selected limits or when glucose is rapidly falling or rising (optional).
  • Share feature: Glucose sharing with up to 5 followers (e.g. parents can monitor the glucose readings of their kids remotely)

 

 

 

 

The transmitter and sensor are waterproof

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • 7 days wear
  • 2-hour warmup after inserting a new sensor

 

 

 

 

 
  • Same limitations as for Dexcom G5 (see above).
  • When dosing insulin, glucose reading has to be confirmed with a fingerstick

 

 

Guardian Medtronic

 

  • Built-in hypoglycemia safety alarm: The Urgent Low Alarm at 55 mg/dl (always on).
  • Customizable alerts when glucose falls below or rises above user-selected limits, when glucose is rapidly falling or rising, or when glucose is predicted to go above or below a limit that you set (optional).

 

 

 

 
  • Rechargeable transmitter
  • The transmitter and sensor are waterproof

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • 7 days wear
  • 2-hour warmup after inserting a new sensor

 

 

 

 

 
  • When dosing insulin, glucose reading has to be confirmed with a fingerstick
  • Calibration is needed at least every 12 hours.
  • Taking acetaminophen makes the readings inaccurate

 

 

Freestyle Libre 14

 

 

  • Glucose readings are not communicated continuously to the reader. The user has to scan the sensor to get readings.
  • No calibration is needed.
  • Non-adjunctive use: CGM readings Can be used to make treatment decisions. No fingerstick confirmation is required when making these decisions.
  • Glucose readings are not affected by taking acetaminophen

  • The sensor and reader require batteries
  • The sensor is water resistant

 

 

 

14 day wear

 

 

 

 
  • The sensor does not communicate continuously with the reader. The user has to scan the sensor to get readings.
  • No alerts or alarms for low or high glucose.

Freestyle Libre 10

 

 

  • Glucose readings are not communicated continuously to the reader. The user has to scan the sensor to get readings.
  • No calibration is needed.
  • Non-adjunctive use: CGM readings Can be used to make treatment decisions. No fingerstick confirmation is required when making these decisions.
  • Glucose readings are not affected by taking acetaminophen

  • The sensor and reader require batteries
  • The sensor is water resistant

 

 

 

10 day wear

 

 

 

 
  • The sensor does not communicate continuously with the reader. The user has to scan the sensor to get readings.
  • No alerts or alarms for low or high glucose.
  • Glucose sensor is inserted under the skin in the upper arm by a trained health care provider and stays for 90 days.
  • A removable transmitter is worn externally over the sensor and transmits the readings to your mobile device every 5 minutes.
  • Alert for low and high glucose and when glucose is predicted to reach a pre-set low or high level.
  • On-body vibration alerts with the smart transmitter.
  • Share feature: Glucose sharing with followers (e.g. parents can monitor the glucose readings of their kids remotely)
  • Glucose readings are not affected by taking acetaminophen

  • The sensor and reader require batteries
  • The transmitter is water resistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

90-day sensor wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  • A minimum of 2 calibrations a day is needed.
  • When dosing insulin, glucose reading has to be confirmed with a fingerstick
  • The Eversense sensor and transmitter are incompatible with MRI
  • Contraindicated in people for whom dexamethasone is contraindicated.

 
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