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Tracking Blood Sugar

eric.jain.name

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Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#31

Post by phililippe »

fareesh wrote: post #16

When I lived in Canada I used to occasionally see infomercials about blood sugar monitors that didn't require pricking fingers - are those considered to be any good or is it some kind of infomercial scam? If they are considered to be mostly accurate, why can't that technology be used instead of having a 5mm needle in your body, which probably feels uncomfortable, particularly for the elderly.

My son use it since a year and measures are accurate for normal glucose concentration but not for higher ones. The device also includes a classic finger reader for double checks. The French healthcare reimburse 2 devices per month, which is perfect.

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#32

Post by westwooded »

jwr wrote: post #3

The Freestyle Libre requires a prescription (why?) — is there another similar system that does not?

If I'm not a diabetic but just want to track my blood glucose, will a doctor still prescribe me one? Will insurance balk at it? Any estimates as to final cost?

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#34

Post by SpikeDad »

jwr wrote: post #20
troydavis wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. In the US, all similar products require a prescription. This is by far the best available option (no fingerstick calibration, longest-lasting sensor, easy mobile app, etc.). Basically, get this one. It’s $80 including 1 month of sensors. I believe the thinking is that people need a professional to discuss results with. I understand that perspective, but I don’t agree with it, and I definitely don’t agree that hav…

Thanks for clarifying. As a side note, I think this requirement is completely bogus. You should be able to get any "read-only" medical device you want, anytime you want, especially in a country where there is no universal healthcare. I see a contradiction where on one hand the authorities say: we have to protect you so that you don't harm yourself and on the other the same authorities say: your health is your respons…

You need a prescription because it's a continuously attached invasive medical device. You don't need prescriptions for finger stick devices so that's the only difference between them.

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#35

Post by SpikeDad »

I'm curious about this. Theoretically healthy people shouldn't care about their blood sugar since your body normally regulates your blood glucose using insulin and other hormones.

If you're wondering if you may be pre-diabetic then wouldn't an A1C test (home tests available and are very accurate) be a better diagnostic test?

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#36

Post by SpikeDad »

Engineering-MD wrote: post #22
troydavis wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Per the people I know who have tried it, including the author of this post, it's totally painless. One can debate whether or not a filament you can't feel is invasive, but for all practical purposes it's the same as no filament. For clarity: the measurement you pasted is the length of the filament. The width/thickness is ridiculously tiny. Basically, this product has the same UX as a nicotine patch.

From a design perspective definitely invasive. Design strategies and regulations change greatly for products which penetrate the skin. But you are correct in that it is a patient friendly device without the associated burden of lost invasive devices.

From an FDA perspective invasive also. Otherwise you wouldn't need a prescription.

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#37

Post by SpikeDad »

troydavis wrote: post #9
jwr wrote: post #3

The Freestyle Libre requires a prescription (why?) — is there another similar system that does not?

No. In the US, all similar products require a prescription. This is by far the best available option (no fingerstick calibration, longest-lasting sensor, easy mobile app, etc.). Basically, get this one. It’s $80 including 1 month of sensors. I believe the thinking is that people need a professional to discuss results with. I understand that perspective, but I don’t agree with it, and I definitely don’t agree that hav…

Didn't realize that. I occasionally use a finger stick A1C to compare to my lab test and it's very accurate (within 0.2 units).

It does seem like a helpful tool to screen.

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#38

Post by SpikeDad »

fareesh wrote: post #16

When I lived in Canada I used to occasionally see infomercials about blood sugar monitors that didn't require pricking fingers - are those considered to be any good or is it some kind of infomercial scam? If they are considered to be mostly accurate, why can't that technology be used instead of having a 5mm needle in your body, which probably feels uncomfortable, particularly for the elderly.

Monitors that don't need a finger stick can take blood from other body areas, usually the forearm. The theory is there are less nerves in places other than the finger.

The result is not considered as accurate compared to finger sticks but it's an option for people that can't really stick their fingers I guess.

They're mostly the more modern ones that don't need much blood. Also the ones I've purchased have a special attachment for the lancet device to accommodate the different location.

The ads do seem to imply that you don't need to use a lancet but that's just marketing and advertising. You still need to use a lancet to get a drop of blood.

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#39

Post by DavideNL »

lucas_membrane wrote: post #25

I've been using one of these for about 6 weeks, and I find it is not very accurate, but the convenience that allows checking the readings very often nearly makes up for the huge error bars. The libre freestyle 14-day is usually within 15 mg/dl when the reading is between 80 and 100, but above that range, it is usually off by 20 to 30 percent of the correct value (not 20-30 mg/dl) and mine has never read much higher t…

> and I find it is not very accurate

i have the same experience, the Libre was very inaccurate for me as well.

> There is a far better wearable system ready to go but not in production, a combined sensor and automated insulin dispenser, that has passed human trials, but no one wants to go into production with it because of liability issues.

Well there's this, even if it's not a "100% pancreas replacement" yet: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/minimed-670g-insu...

"Automatically adjusts your basal (background) insulin every five minutes based on your CGM readings."

Re: Tracking Blood Sugar

#40

Post by DavideNL »

SpikeDad wrote: post #35

I'm curious about this. Theoretically healthy people shouldn't care about their blood sugar since your body normally regulates your blood glucose using insulin and other hormones. If you're wondering if you may be pre-diabetic then wouldn't an A1C test (home tests available and are very accurate) be a better diagnostic test?

That way you can detect a problem, yes.

But HBA1C can sometimes still be good, even for people who have high & low glucose peaks.

Maybe because the average value will still be good if you have equal peaks "up" as "down"? i don't know..

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