Have you ever wondered what the little sensors people are wearing on the back of their upper arm are for? Well, let me tell you! Those sensors are glucose monitoring technology. It is called continuous glucose monitoring, or CGM. Today we’re going to cover what CGM devices do, who they’re helpful for, we’ll touch on the new over the counter CGM’s, and when they’re not covered by insurance, if CGM’s are worth the cost.
What is CGM technology and what does it do?
Continuous Glucose Monitoring systems are advanced devices that track your body’s glucose levels 24/7 through a small sensor, usually placed on the back of the upper arm.
Unlike traditional finger-stick tests, which only give you one snapshot of your glucose level, CGMs give you a full picture of how your glucose levels change throughout the day.
Typically the sensor will take a reading every 1 to 15 minutes, depending on the specific brand or sensor that you’re using, and then it transmits that data directly to an app on your smartphone or a dedicated reader. So you can see how your glucose levels are changing throughout the day, just by looking at the data on your smartphone.
The majority of sensors need to be changed every 7 to 15 days, which is a huge step in progress from the old-school glucose meters which would require painful finger sticks several times per day for people managing diabetes. With CGM tech, you apply the device once and it provides data for 7 to 15 days.
Who is CGM technology for?
CGM systems are a game-changer for managing diabetes, which is what this technology was originally developed for. BUT… its benefits aren’t limited to just those with diabetes!
The use of CGM technology has expanded to helping people with prediabetes, insulin resistance, and even people just looking to improve their blood sugar control and optimize their metabolic health.
The real beauty of this technology is that it uses data to help you understand how your lifestyle is impacting your blood sugar levels and metabolism. This allows you to make data-driven decisions about your lifestyle to improve your health.
How can CGM data be used?
If you’ve watched my YouTube videos or read my blog articles, you’ve likely heard me talk about the fact that prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are lifestyle driven conditions. Diet, physical activity, stress, and sleep all play a role in how well your body regulates your blood sugar levels. And by far the biggest lifestyle factor that contributes to blood sugar regulation is food.
With countless diets and lifestyle strategies out there, each promising to be the magic bullet, it can be overwhelming to know what strategy is right for you. It’s also really frustrating to dedicate weeks, or even months, to a new regimen only to see no real progress. So how do you know what’s right for your body?
This is where CGM technology really shines.
CGM systems provide real-time data showing exactly how your lifestyle choices affect YOUR glucose levels. This type of real-time feedback allows you to see what works and what doesn’t, eliminating the guesswork and frustration of trying strategies that don’t work for your body.
By using the data that CGM technology provides, you can streamline your approach to managing your blood sugar, which ensures that the changes you make are informed and effective.
Using data to help you determine which strategies are right for you saves you time, energy, and even money in the long run by avoiding less effective strategies.
With CGM technology, you get individualized data, specific to you and your body, so you can see how your choices are affecting your body’s blood sugar… and metabolic health. This is an important point, and why CGM tech can be so helpful in optimizing metabolism –> when you stabilize blood sugar (which CGM data helps you do), you also improve metabolism.
Personalized health data is fascinating and it gives you the opportunity to really see which foods and strategies are right for you.
How to get access to CGM Data
One of the leading companies in glucose biosensing, Dexcom, just came out with the first FDA cleared over the counter CGM system on August 26th. It’s called Stelo.
Another industry leader, Abbott, is working on two over the counter CGM systems, one is called Lingo and the other is called Libre Rio.
So, with these new over the counter systems now anyone can get access to CGM technology without a prescription. This technology is no longer just for people with a diabetes diagnosis! You can get access to one of these OTC CGM systems by going to the Stelo or Lingo sites and ordering from there.
There are other platforms that offer subscriptions to CGM data, but I believe the arrival of the over the counter CGM systems is going to change this landscape significantly.
What Does A CGM Cost?
The general cost for a CGM subscription (if insurance wasn’t paying for it) used to be around $200 to $300 per month depending on the length of subscription that you chose, with longer subscriptions costing less per month. Some companies also charge an additional up front fee.
However, with the Dexcom Stelo CGM and Abbott Lingo CGM, you can get a CGM subscription for $89 per month. That subscription includes 2 sensors, as each Stelo or Lingo sensor is designed to be worn for up to 14 to 15 days.
Abbott has also made Lingo available in a 2 week plan for $49, which includes 1 sensor. But here’s an IMPORTANT NOTE: currently Lingo is only compatible with iPhones. If you have an Android device, you will need to use Stelo until Lingo expands compatibility with Android devices.
Does Insurance Cover CGM?
For people with diabetes, this technology is often covered by insurance, so it’s best to talk with your primary care physician about that.
Aside from a diabetes diagnosis, at this point in time, most insurance plans do not cover CGM technology. Right now it’s not routinely covered by insurance for prediabetes, insulin resistance, or anyone wanting to optimize their metabolism. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get access to this data, it just means that insurance won’t pay for it.
Can I Use My FSA or HSA For My CGM?
If you have an FSA or an HSA account for your health expenses, you may be able to use that to purchase your over the counter CGM. Just double check with the company that provides your FSA or HSA to verify that they will cover that expense.
Is CGM Technology Worth the Hype?
If you’re looking to optimize your health and make data-driven decisions about your lifestyle that are tailored to your body’s needs, then the answer is YES – CGM technology is absolutely worth the investment.
It’s worth it if you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to start with lifestyle changes. Or if you’re sick of wasting time and effort on strategies that don’t work for you. Let data guide the way.
If you like learning about your body, and want to find out what lifestyle strategies are going to support your best metabolic health now and into the future, this technology can provide invaluable insights.
Conclusion
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology provides real-time glucose data, showing you how your lifestyle (diet, physical activity, stress and sleep) affects your glucose levels. CGM technology used to require a prescription and a diabetes diagnosis, but with the new over-the-counter CGM systems, anyone can get access to this data.
The new over the counter CGM systems are expanding accessibility of CGM data, and making this technology more cost-effective, with a subscription costing as little as $89 per month. If you’re looking to optimize blood sugar regulation, your health, and your metabolism, CGM data can be a valuable tool to help you achieve your goals.
Use CGM data to supercharge your metabolism and boost energy!
If you are interested in learning HOW TO USE CGM data to stabilize your blood sugar levels, rev up your metabolism, and boost energy, my eBook is for you! The CGM Blueprint: A Guide to Using Glucose Data to Supercharge Your Metabolism and Boost Energy helps you understand how your lifestyle is impacting your health and walks you through exactly how to use your body’s glucose data to get results for YOUR body!
