Today I have some updates about continuous glucose monitoring. Those of you who have seen my previous videos know how important I believe continuous glucose monitoring is for patients and providers. Until now, all of the continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have required regular calibration. This means patients have to prick their fingers to calibrate the monitor two to three times a day, which is bothersome, but not that much considering all of the data you get from a CGM.
But now, the first ever factory-calibrated CGM has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and should be available by the end of the year. This CGM has already been on the market in Europe. It is called the FreeStyle Libre, and it has even been available over-the-counter in some countries. This is pretty amazing—it's almost like wearing a Fitbit, except that it is a monitor to check blood sugar.
To me, this widens the application. It is simple and it replaces fingersticks. This is a plus not only for our type 1 diabetics who need a lot of monitoring, but also for type 2 diabetics who may need more episodic monitoring.
The Libre comes in a box comprising two pieces: the device that inserts the monofilament under the skin, and the sensor itself.
Pediatric Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
COMMENTARY
'Now Is the Time to Learn' About CGM
Anne L. Peters, MD
DisclosuresNovember 10, 2017
Today I have some updates about continuous glucose monitoring. Those of you who have seen my previous videos know how important I believe continuous glucose monitoring is for patients and providers. Until now, all of the continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have required regular calibration. This means patients have to prick their fingers to calibrate the monitor two to three times a day, which is bothersome, but not that much considering all of the data you get from a CGM.
But now, the first ever factory-calibrated CGM has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and should be available by the end of the year. This CGM has already been on the market in Europe. It is called the FreeStyle Libre, and it has even been available over-the-counter in some countries. This is pretty amazing—it's almost like wearing a Fitbit, except that it is a monitor to check blood sugar.
To me, this widens the application. It is simple and it replaces fingersticks. This is a plus not only for our type 1 diabetics who need a lot of monitoring, but also for type 2 diabetics who may need more episodic monitoring.
The Libre comes in a box comprising two pieces: the device that inserts the monofilament under the skin, and the sensor itself.
Medscape Diabetes © 2017 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: 'Now Is the Time to Learn' About CGM - Medscape - Nov 10, 2017.
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Authors and Disclosures
Authors and Disclosures
Author
Anne L. Peters, MD
Professor of Clinical Medicine; Director, Clinical Diabetes Programs, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
Disclosure: Anne L. Peters, MD, has disclosed the following financial relationships:
Served as director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: (current consultant): Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Novo Nordisk
Served as a speaker or member of a speakers bureau for: (current speakers bureau member): Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Eli Lilly and Company; Novo Nordisk; Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Served as a consultant or ad hoc speaker/consultant for: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; Abbott Laboratories; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Dexcom; Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Roche; sanofi-aventis