Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
1–10 of 61 posts
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#2Rather interesting, it just occurred to me that I don't remember what Type 2 diabetic patients that I have worked with in the past did for their blood sugar monitoring. For the most part, I think very few of them monitored daily. Most of their blood sugar testing (fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin a1c) were done at clinic visits.
The only times I can remember daily glucose monitoring was for the insulin dependent (as they need regular monitoring to make sure they are using the right amount of insulin), or those who we were trying to track to give the doctor more information on how to treat, but also to push the patients into making lifestyle changes (not eat that sugary meal in the morning if their blood sugar is already high when they wake up, for example).
Glad to see that the evidence suggests no different in A1c outcomes regardless of what is done.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#3My A1c was awful before I started finger pricking and continued to be so until I started using a CGM. I have dropped to pre-diabetic levels now. I think the problem is the method. I can see why the study came to this conclusion using finger-pricking but having an easier method of checking would probably change the outcome of the study.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#4My A1c was awful before I started finger pricking and continued to be so until I started using a CGM. I have dropped to pre-diabetic levels now. I think the problem is the method. I can see why the study came to this conclusion using finger-pricking but having an easier method of checking would probably change the outcome of the study.
Concur. I was diagnosed with T2 about 3 weeks ago. I’ve been on a CGM for about two weeks. It’s been invaluable. Also much less uncomfortable since I’m not tearing my fingertips up.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#5My A1c was awful before I started finger pricking and continued to be so until I started using a CGM. I have dropped to pre-diabetic levels now. I think the problem is the method. I can see why the study came to this conclusion using finger-pricking but having an easier method of checking would probably change the outcome of the study.
Concur. I was diagnosed with T2 about 3 weeks ago. I’ve been on a CGM for about two weeks. It’s been invaluable. Also much less uncomfortable since I’m not tearing my fingertips up.
May I ask what you guys are using?
I've seen the freestyle libre but it still seems like a costly option that most probably couldn't afford.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#6Earlier quoted context omitted.
Concur. I was diagnosed with T2 about 3 weeks ago. I’ve been on a CGM for about two weeks. It’s been invaluable. Also much less uncomfortable since I’m not tearing my fingertips up.
May I ask what you guys are using? I've seen the freestyle libre but it still seems like a costly option that most probably couldn't afford.
The Libre.
It is somewhat costly ($38 every 2 weeks) but for me it's worth it.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
Concur. I was diagnosed with T2 about 3 weeks ago. I’ve been on a CGM for about two weeks. It’s been invaluable. Also much less uncomfortable since I’m not tearing my fingertips up.
May I ask what you guys are using? I've seen the freestyle libre but it still seems like a costly option that most probably couldn't afford.
I started out with a Dexcom but this insurance year they decided they weren't going to cover it because T2D doesn't have a benefit (allegedly). Maybe as a result of this study? I switched over to the Libre and I'm paying $85 out of pocket every month which is worth the ROI. The Dexcom is way more expensive.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
May I ask what you guys are using? I've seen the freestyle libre but it still seems like a costly option that most probably couldn't afford.
I started out with a Dexcom but this insurance year they decided they weren't going to cover it because T2D doesn't have a benefit (allegedly). Maybe as a result of this study? I switched over to the Libre and I'm paying $85 out of pocket every month which is worth the ROI. The Dexcom is way more expensive.
Alas, the Dexcom is more accurate and has better calibration, but the Libre if far better covered by insurance options. Self-hackers have to pony up.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#9I know someone who works at a clinic that serves diabetics without health insurance who cannot afford routine glucose monitoring. A majority of the patients show up with A1C of 10 or higher, often much higher. If uncorrected, this is tragic. A finding that most people will not find a way to comply effectively with a plan to scientifically manage T2D is not, to me, a convincing reason to make scientific management less available to all.
Re: Routine glucose monitoring may be unnecessary for people with Type 2 diabetes
#10It wasn't for me. Individual anecdotal stories aren't evidence but without consistent feedback it's easy to get back into poor habits. When I eat a Twizzler and see my blood glucose spike at 180-200 FOR 1 TWIZZLER then it's the feedback I need.
It's no different to me than frequent weighings. I'm sure some people don't need or want the feedback but for me it's essential.
And using a CGM (I use 14 day Lifestyle) I can get readings whenever I want and also get data like trends that I can't get from finger sticks. I can see my blood glucose overnight for example which helps me tailor my meds and food to avoid the common overnight glucose rise that's pretty common.
So sorry NYTimes article but I'm going to disagree. I don't think enough people are encouraged to use CGM for example so that some real data can be extracted on diet compliance.