Some people diagnosed with diabetes will need to regularly self-check their blood glucose levels in order to make management decisions about, for example, their diet and medication doses, and also watch for symptoms of hypo- or hyperglycaemia.
 
This is done by pricking your finger with a small needle, putting a drop of blood on a testing strip and then using a blood glucose meter to check your level. The frequency you do this depends on your individual circumstances; but the drawback of a fingerstick (or fingerprick) test is that blood glucose levels vary at different times of the day, and any reading taken in this way can only tell you what your level is at that particular moment. Some people are understandably reluctant to test themselves several times a day.

 

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) can do away with the need to fingerstick test and help people with diabetes monitor their glucose levels in real time. This isn't blood glucose monitoring, however, because CGM measures the glucose in your interstitial fluid around your body’s cells.

It works by placing a small sensor underneath the skin — which stays there for a few days or up to a week before it needs to be replaced — with a transmitter sitting on top of it. The transmitter sends data wirelessly to your compatible smart device or your receiver and displays your glucose trends so you can easily see when it's high, low or within range.  In addition, CGM systems provide proactive audible alerts and alarms directly to your compatible smart device or receiver.  To analyse your CGM glucose patterns and trends, web-based reporting systems are also available.