FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor • Hacker News Board

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#21

Post by csours » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:10 PM UTC

I wish Theranos had worked on a more reasonable goal - like an implantable CGM.

I had T2D, well controlled now, my A1C is below the diabetic diagnostic range.

I used CGMs, and they taught me a lot about how my body reacted to food and exercise.

But I sweat a lot and they would always fall off, halving the useful life of each monitor. I would probably still use them from time to time if they didn't sweat off; and if an implantable version was available for a reasonable price (under $500, with no ongoing costs), I'd probably get it.

I feel like a lot of prediabetic people could learn a lot about their situation with this. I think this is a very good thing.

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#22

Post by uxamanda » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:11 PM UTC

rkagerer wrote: post #12

When your smartphone becomes a critical health device to support/treat a condition I wonder how that will impact case law around things like police confiscation.

Interesting, never thought about that. Also wonder what happens in Airplane mode / poor reception?

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#23

Post by akulbe » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:12 PM UTC

polishdude20 wrote: post #7

post_break wrote: post #5

Can we do CPAP machines next?

Technically you can buy them on Facebook marketplace, craigslist etc

Not really. It's against ToS in both cases, to sell used medical equipment.

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#24

Post by hanniabu » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:14 PM UTC

gamepsys wrote: post #14

I like this trend of the FDA making more and more things OTC.

Don't be fooled by the reason though

> The markup on OTC products is generally higher than on prescription medications.

https://www.eposnow.com/us/resources/how-do-pharmacies-make-....

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#25

Post by dumbfounder » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:15 PM UTC

post_break wrote: post #5

Can we do CPAP machines next?

I had to buy one for a friend. But then he ordered a new one and all he had to do was send them a picture of his old one (after some persistence). It’s ridiculous.

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#26

Post by saagarjha » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:15 PM UTC

rkagerer wrote: post #12

When your smartphone becomes a critical health device to support/treat a condition I wonder how that will impact case law around things like police confiscation.

What happens when an officer confiscates your glucose monitor today? I assume you die and they claim they did it for some valid reason or the other.

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#27

Post by hammock » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:15 PM UTC

uxamanda wrote: post #22

rkagerer wrote: post #12

When your smartphone becomes a critical health device to support/treat a condition I wonder how that will impact case law around things like police confiscation.

Interesting, never thought about that. Also wonder what happens in Airplane mode / poor reception?

CGMs use bluetooth

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#28

Post by Johnny555 » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:15 PM UTC

RobotToaster wrote: post #2

So the ones already all over amazon aren't supposed to be there?

I don't see any non-prescription CGM's on Amazon, are you using Amazon USA? I searched for "CGM" and "Continuous Glucose Monitor", and only found test-strip devices and CGM devices on Amazon Pharmacy available with prescription.

What search string are you using? Can you post one?

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#29

Post by shanselman » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:16 PM UTC

uxamanda wrote: post #22

rkagerer wrote: post #12

When your smartphone becomes a critical health device to support/treat a condition I wonder how that will impact case law around things like police confiscation.

Interesting, never thought about that. Also wonder what happens in Airplane mode / poor reception?

it's all BLE and works great on an airplane as long as BT is on

Re: FDA clears first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

#30

Post by philsnow » Wed, Mar 06, 2024, 7:18 PM UTC

I dove into CGMs a little bit about a year ago, mostly just for fun. Yes, I paid money to some online prescription mill for CGMs (Abbott Freestyle Libre 3, IIRC), and then put one in my arm (the applicator is a short syringe section that has the monitor tube threaded into it, so the tube stays in your arm and your skin under the monitor remains broken) for a couple weeks. Just to see how various foods would affect my blood glucose, to see whether the “facts” I’m telling my kids about the glycemic index of various foods actually has the expected impact on a measurable result. You know, as you do. For fun.

(It actually was fun, and I’ll do it again when the data ecosystem improves.)