Testing Made Easy

Continuous blood glucose monitoring systems use a tiny sensor inserted under the skin to check glucose levels in tissue fluid. These devices provide real-time measurements of glucose levels, with glucose levels displayed at 5-minute or 1-minute intervals. Users can set alarms to alert them when glucose levels are too low or too high. Special software is available to download data from the devices to a computer for tracking and analysis of patterns and trends, and the systems can display trend graphs on the monitor screen.

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel has voted in favour of allowing the Dexcom G5 Mobile continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system to be used as a replacement for finger stick glucose monitoring in patients with Diabetes. Currently, the Dexcom G5 CGM is indicated for adjunctive use along with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), done using a finger stick test, to provide trend information and alert the patient of high and low blood glucose values. If the FDA follows the panel's advice, the new indication would allow patients to skip the pre-meal finger sticks and instead use the CGM's data to determine their insulin doses, as well as make other lifestyle decisions such as whether to exercise.

In conclusion, this new way of monitoring will help people to prevent themselves from picking several times a day and may allow better compliance with regards to Diabetes management.

Source: Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics