Using Technology To Monitor And Control Blood Sugar

Due to recent advancements in technology related to testing blood sugar levels, there are now a range of glucose (blood sugar) monitoring devices and applications available on the market that make diabetes management a little easier and a tad more fun.

Anyone with diabetes is familiar with using a glucose monitor.  This is important to provide information related to keeping blood sugar in check, which can be crucial for remaining safe and free of symptoms.  This information is also useful for learning about how specific foods, meals, and activities impact glycemic control.

This technology, however, should not be limited to just those with diabetes.  If you have pre-diabetes or known insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, it’s important to check blood sugar levels often to improve glucose control.  In fact, anyone interested in creating or maintaining optimal health may find checking blood sugar levels around meals helpful.

“ Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Ryun, Olympic track star

Hand-held Glucose Monitoring Devices

Most standard glucose monitors work by reading whole blood from a simple finger prick.  Most people find these finger sticks, using a standard lancing device, to be only slightly uncomfortable.  There is a device I recommend for my patients, called “Genteel”, which is a painless instrument to draw a drop of blood from the finger tips as well as other alternative testing sites.

In addition, there are a variety of glucometers, which have a wide range of features.  Some are very simple, others have a large type face, some report glucose levels more quickly, and others can sync with your computer or smart phone to make it easy for you to track your glucose levels. These features vary with the price of the glucose monitor that you choose, as do the size and appearance of the monitor.

Normally glucose monitors range in price from about $30-$100 and many are fully covered through insurance companies or free from companies who sell glucose test strips. The test strips are more expensive than the monitors themselves, and need to be contentiously purchased.

Independent testing has revealed that the Freestyle and Freestyle Light meter from Abbott seems to be the most reliable, accurate, and repeatable monitor.  If you do not have insurance benefits for a meter and strips, the Relion system available at Walmart is an affordable option.

Glucose Monitoring Software

Due to recently technological advancements in the market of glucose monitors, many people choose to use software that links their meter to their personal computer or smart phone. This makes it easy to store information related to glucose levels, track progress, and share with your health practitioner or diabetes educator if needed.

Smartphone Apps

There are a variety of apps available for the iphone and android platform which can make tracking glucose readings, diet and nutrition, and exercise easier and at least a bit more fun.

Glooko – (free) This app will track your food intake, exercise routine, blood sugar readings, and even medications.  Upload glucose readings directly from your meter, view the stats in raw or graph form, and easily share with your doctor or educator.

Diabetic Connect – (free)  One of the greatest benefits of the internet today is the ability to connect with others.  This app lets you interact with a huge network other others with diabetes to share recipes, challenges, and successes.

dbees – (free)  This is another good management app which helps you keep track of all the tasks and important information related to your condition.  One advantage of dbees is that it can be personalized to meet your needs.  It lets you manage insulin, medications, insulin pump, and diet.  It also creates reports that can be shared with your  health practitioner or educator easily.

Lose it –  (free)  If you need to lose weight, the Lose It app is probably the best on the market.  It allows you to track calories, fat, carbs, and fiber, plus activity levels and other factors related to weight loss.   There’s also a great network and support feature which lets you connect with others who use the app and system to lose weight.

mySugr – (free)  The my Sugr app is a little different.  It’s much more involved than your average blood sugar monitoring app, cut can also be more fun.  The app is based around “taming the diabetes monster” and allows you to earn points by logging readings, diet entries, and other important activities.  The website also has an “academy” which provides some great free diabetes education.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

Another option for people who are measuring frequently or want more data are glucose monitors that are “continuous monitoring systems”.  For example. The Medtronic Guardian RT is a continuous monitoring system that has an insert that is placed under the skin and can send a report on glucose levels multiple times per hour. Other similar devices are also available. These types of advanced monitors tend to be considerably more expensive than normal glucose monitors- usually around $600- $1300, plus materials. 

Some insurance companies may cover CGMs for certain patients, and this can be a convenient solution for those who have coverage or can afford it.  While this can be an attractive option for monitoring blood sugar, it’s not as simple as it might seem.  There are concerns that continuous monitoring systems may be somewhat inaccurate they need to be calibrated frequently using finger sticks.

While physicians and manufacturers hope to soon find even more options available for patients that need to track glucose levels and health indicators, as of now, pricking the finger for blood remains the most popular and accurate method. Using technology like the Genteel instrument, apps for your smartphone, and a good, reliable meter can keep you safe and help you optimize your blood sugar levels.

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe, professional tennis player.