Decoding Diabetes Monitoring: CGM vs. BGM Explained
Periodic blood sugar monitoring, along with diet and physical exercise, is important for managing type 1 diabetes, and especially the ones on insulin. This can be done in two ways – traditional glucose monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Each of these techniques offers unique benefits to users. This post discusses these techniques in detail and offers tips on selection.
Overview of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM)
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) and Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM) perform the same function – monitoring the glucose levels in the blood. However, specific differences exist in their approach. The following pointers will help you understand it better.
Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM)
• Devices Required: For blood glucose monitoring, you will require devices like blood testing meter, a finger prick device, some test strips, and a lancet, which is a short, fine needle. In addition to this, you will need a sharps bin, so you can throw the needles safely.
• Personalized Management: By doing BGM, you will receive immediate results of your blood glucose levels. This would help you adjust your insulin dosage, diet, physical activity, and so on.
• Portability: Blood glucose meters are usually compact-sized, making them easy to carry in your bag. You can dispose of the needles in dustbins. This type of monitoring suits people with a hectic or active lifestyle involving regular traveling, gym workouts, swimming, and so on.
• Ease of Use: BGM devices like Clarity BG1000 Blood Glucose Monitoring are easy to use. A user has to do a simple fingerpick to receive a glucose reading. This makes it accessible to people of all ages.
• Cost Effectiveness: Blood glucose monitoring using a blood sugar testing meter, a finger prick device, and lancet has been around for a while, and is affordable compared to CGM systems. However, CGM systems are affordable for people with insurance coverage.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
• Devices Required: A continuous glucose monitoring system like FreeStyle Libre 2 comprises a sensor, a monitor to display the information, and a transmitter to transmit the sensor data to the monitor. This method is non-invasive as the sensor is usually applied to the upper arm, where it remains untouched.
• Real-Time Data: CGM offers real-time glucose readings at any time of the day. It takes readings from the interstitial fluid in the body, and offers insights into glucose fluctuations.
• Immediate Alerts: Unlike blood glucose monitoring systems, many advanced CGM systems, such as Dexcom G6 and G7 send alerts to users on their high or low glucose levels. This helps prevent episodes of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia before they escalate. These alerts can be particularly beneficial for individuals with impaired hypoglycemia awareness.
• Quick Trends Analysis: CGM systems such as Dexcom G6 &G7 offer data on trends such as midnight lows or post-meal spikes, thereby allowing users to make informed decisions on the medication, diet, and lifestyle.
• Non-invasive Technique: CGM doesn’t require finger pricks as compared to traditional BGM, which makes users comfortable.
Side-by-side Comparison of Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM) and Continuous Glucose Monitoring
After gaining an insight on the benefits and features of BGM and CGM, let’s compare them side by side.
• Method of Measurement: In BGM, a finger prick is used to obtain the blood sample, which is further tested using a handheld meter. However, in CGM, the sensor is attached to the body and can continuously monitor for the next 10-12 days, depending on the type of CGM used.
• Frequency of Monitoring: In BGM, blood testing is performed at certain times of the day, say a couple of hours after meals. In CGM, blood glucose monitoring is performed 24 hours a day. It measures the glucose levels in the interstitial fluid beneath your skin. The data is updated on the transmitter every few minutes, so you can see it anytime.
• Alerts and Alarms: BGM doesn’t provide alerts on low or high blood glucose levels. Generally, users analyze the low and high values based on the readings on their handheld meter. However, CGM systems send customizable alerts to the readers, informing them of the high and low glucose levels. This helps users make informed decisions about their treatment.
• Accuracy: BGM systems are proven to offer accurate values of blood glucose levels if performed correctly. However, the readings may be affected due to factors such as diet, diabetes medicine, illness, stress, exercise, and so on. These variations do not generally affect the CGM systems, but occasional discrepancies are reported between the blood glucose and interstitial fluid monitoring.
• Costs of Monitoring: CGM systems have evolved over the years and are nowadays developed to help people gain access to their glucose data easily. This makes them more expensive than BGM systems. Generally, CGM systems are covered by insurance to compensate for the costs. However, BGM systems cost less upfront and the meters and test strips are usually affordable.
The choice between these two systems would depend on an individual’s personal preferences, healthcare needs, lifestyle, etc. While both these techniques are equally beneficial for diabetes monitoring, in certain circumstances, choosing a single option may be challenging for some people. The next section discusses how to choose between these approaches.
How to Choose the Right Monitoring Technique?
Blood Glucose Monitoring
• Individuals Who Have Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body produces insufficient insulin or doesn’t use insulin effectively. It may affect anyone over 45. An inactive lifestyle, stress, and being overweight are some of the causes of this type of diabetes, and this can be easily controlled by making lifestyle changes, following a healthy diet, and exercising. However, some people may be required to take intensive insulin therapy. BGM works best for individuals who have Type 2 diabetes who are not undergoing intensive insulin therapy or those who have controlled their sugar levels through lifestyle changes. These individuals do not require continuous monitoring.
• Individuals May Not Like Wearing Sensors: Some individuals may not be comfortable wearing sensors due to discomfort associated with wearing them on the body. Blood glucose monitoring systems work for such individuals.
• Those Looking for an Affordable Diabetes Management Solution: BGM is a cost-effective option for people looking for affordable diabetes management solution. The cost of test strips and BGM devices is lower than CGM systems.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
• Individuals Suffering from Type 1 Diabetes: Type 1 diabetes is a condition where the body stops producing insulin. Individuals develop this type of diabetes in their childhood and people have to take insulin injections to control the disease.
• Pregnant Women Suffering from Gestational Diabetes or Pre-Existing Diabetes: CGM is beneficial for pregnant women suffering from diabetes because finger pricking at regular intervals may not be an option for them. CGM allows them to check their glucose levels without taking any extra efforts. These glucose levels will help ensure optimal glycemic control for the health of the baby and mother.
• Individuals with Unstable Blood Glucose Levels: CGM is recommended for people with unstable glucose levels because they will receive real-time data on their devices, allowing them to manage their diet, lifestyle, and insulin dosages.
By now, you may have realized that both CGM and BGM play important roles in diabetes management; however, the effective monitoring strategy would vary for every individual. If you have been considering CGM for your diabetes monitoring, buy them from a trusted supplier like Pharmalynk. We are one of the most trusted platforms for buying Dexcom CGM G6 and G7, Clarity BG1000 Blood Glucose Monitoring, FreeStyle Libre 2 and Libre 3 Sensors that are used for Continuous Glucose Monitoring. Do you have any queries on ordering, shipping, and payment? Feel free to contact us at 714-202-0474 or visit at the Pharmalynk Online Store.