Why CGM?
Diabetes, a chronic condition affecting glucose regulation, requires vigilant monitoring to prevent complications. Traditional fingerstick methods, while effective, are limited in scope and frequency. CGMs represent a leap forward by continuously tracking glucose levels and delivering data in real time. This allows individuals to make immediate and informed adjustments to lifestyle and treatment.
CGM technologies have revolutionized diabetes management, making real-time glucose tracking accessible, actionable, and increasingly affordable. The rise of OTC models enables a broader audience, including those with prediabetes or lifestyle concerns, to engage in proactive, data-driven health management. As adoption grows, CGMs are poised to become a mainstream tool in both chronic care and preventive wellness.
Configuration & Set up
Once you decide to use CGM technology for real-time blood glucose monitoring, ensure you understand how to best leverage the hardware and software to give you the best user experience for effective diabetes management. Here is how I built my system on Abbott freestyle Libre platform with the Apple ecosystem. You can view the details here.
1. CGM Sensor for real-time glucose measurement
I use the freestyle libre 3 plus sensor to continuously measure my blood glucose levels. You will need a doctor’s prescription to buy one. (Note: I initially started out with the LINGO sensor which is available over the counter. ) It is easy to use and lasts 15 days.
2. Smartphone App – Libre 3 to view glucose levels on my iphone
I installed the freestyle Libre 3 app on my iPhone and paired with my freestyle libre 3 plus CGM sensor. The app shows your blood glucose levels in real-time. Additional analytics like glucose trends, average glucose and estimated average A1C are powerful tools to leverage for effective diabetes management
3. Glucowatch for apple watch to conveniently view glucose levels on my apple watch
In installed the Glucowatch app on my apple watch and linked it using the libreView system. With this, I can conveniently view my blood glucose levels near real-time on my apple watch without having to view it on the iPhone.
4. LibreView for Analytics to view insights and Share with healthcare providers
I linked my Libre 3 smartphone app to my LibreView account to upload your blood glucose data. LibreView provides detailed insights, patterns and summaries. In addition, healthcare providers can be allowed access to this data for optimized treatment guidance.
5. Smartphone App – LibreLinkUp to share with family and caregivers
I can share real-time glucose readings and customized glucose alarms with family and caregivers by linking my Freestyle Libre 3 app with the LibreLinkUp app on their smartphones. This allows them to keep up to date on my diabetes health.
To view and compare other CGM technologies, click here. Share your experiences here and register to access the diabetes awareness and lifestyle management content.
Keywords: diabetes management, A1C monitoring, CGM technology, lifestyle transformation, hardware, software.
