Ease of administration: All 4 CGMs have been simply affixed to the again of my arm utilizing a plunger machine held towards the pores and skin. (I have to admit that I’m undecided I may have carried out this alone, at the least the primary few occasions. I engaged the assistance of my mechanical-engineering husband, who discovered administration simple.) All 4 sensors have a brief monofilament that is still embedded within the pores and skin.
Event Tracking: All 4 enable monitoring of meals and train within the companion app and embrace a notes characteristic to trace meal particulars and different necessary elements, like stress and sleep. Event monitoring is important for diagnosing what led to spikes, dips, or blood sugar variability, since people react to meals otherwise. Mahmood Kazemi, chief medical officer for Abbott’s diabetes care arm, says “there are no absolutes in terms of eating; what works for you may be different than what works for others.” He provides that “CGMs provide information needed to make educated decisions, since the impact of food choices can be different for each person.”
Summary Reports: All 4 present abstract graphs which might be helpful for monitoring glucose vary and traits, together with user-supplied notes. Daily studies that present precise blood glucose graphs, together with meals and notes about meals, train, and stress, are very useful for figuring out what behaviors and conditions impression blood glucose.
Water resistance: The FreeStyle Libre sensors are water-proof and work so long as they aren’t submerged greater than 3 toes or saved underwater for over half-hour at a time. The Dexcom G7 is waterproof and could also be submerged underneath 8 toes of water for as much as 24 hours. I showered and labored out with all 4 CGMs with none situation.
Support: All 4 techniques supplied person movies, cellphone assist, and explanations about app performance.
Cost: Cash costs range broadly, so make sure you evaluate costs. I took benefit of considerable financial savings by checking costs and utilizing on-line prescription low cost providers. Also, it’s value remembering that the sensors have to get replaced periodically. Sensor costs are included under.