Continuous Glucose Monitors: How do I Know If a CGM Is a Good Choice For Me?
What Exactly Is a CGM?
Imagine having a tiny, diligent assistant that keeps tabs on your glucose levels 24/7. That's a CGM for you! It's a small device you wear on your body that continuously monitors your blood sugar, providing real-time data without the need for constant finger pricks. Pretty cool, right?
How Does a CGM Work?
Here's the lowdown:
Sensor Insertion: A tiny microfilament sensor is placed just under your skin, often on the back of your upper arm or abdomen. Don't worry—it’s designed to be comfortable and is much less bothersome than those traditional finger sticks. Most people report they can barely feel it when applying the sensor, and each one lasts for 1-2 weeks so once it's on, most clients report forgetting it’s even there!
Data Transmission: This sensor measures glucose levels in your interstitial fluid (the stuff between your cells) and sends this info to a device, like your smartphone or a dedicated receiver.
Real-Time Insights: You get continuous updates on your glucose levels, allowing you to see trends, patterns, and how your body responds to different foods, activities, and even stress.
Why Use a CGM? Is a CGM a good choice for me?
Personalized Feedback: As we always say, the most important study is a study of n=1 (aka: a study of YOU)! A CGM is a great tool to understand how specific foods and health practices affect your blood sugar, empowering you to tailor your diet and lifestyle accordingly.
Proactive Health Management: It can help you spot both healthy and unhealthy patterns and make behavior and habit changes before issues arise.
Reduced Finger Pricks: You can enjoy the convenience of continuous monitoring without the constant need for fingerstick tests. It’s more convenient, and the data stream is more continuous - but there are differences in the type of data these two collection methods give. So read on to see if the finger prick method is still a good fit for you (either in addition to a CGM or in place of).
We are loving that CGMs are both gaining in popularity and accessibility! It used to be that these little devices were only available to diabetics, and sensors were rarely covered by insurance for pre-diabetic patients or anyone else.
Now that they’re available without a prescription and, honestly, are flying off the shelves, it’s time to debunk some common CGM myths. Let's clear up some misunderstandings, shall we?
Myth: CGMs are painful to use.
Truth: Most clients find CGMs comfortable. The insertion involves a tiny sensor under the skin, a filament that sits in the middle of a flexible circular patch. They’re less painful than finger pricks and only require re-application every 10-14 days.Myth: CGMs are only for people with diabetes.
Truth: While originally designed for diabetes management, we are now able to provide CGMs to individuals without diabetes to gain insights into their metabolic health. This is an amazing way to leverage our own health data & bio-individuality to act in a powerfully preventive manner. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider (send us a message if you’re looking to work with an expert on CGMs—we’re finally off the waitlist, woo hoo!) to determine if it's appropriate for you.Myth: You should never see your blood sugar spike or drop on a CGM; your blood glucose should be more or less flat.
Truth: It's normal to experience rises and falls in blood sugar. Your body is designed to adjust and regulate itself using insulin. However, we counsel our patients to look for more of a “rolling hills” pattern than a “rollercoaster” (with sharp spikes and steep drops). Monitoring these patterns helps you understand your body's responses to not only foods but also even things like stress and poor sleep. It is also essential to note that your blood sugar will rise and fall more aggressively with intense exercise—this is normal, and that’s why our app (Theia) allows you to log your lifestyle events and gives you a customized report!
We do, however, get many questions about specific women’s health conditions and CGM uses. A few cases where a CGM can be an extra powerful tool (and where we use them regularly with private practice clients) are:
PCOS & Insulin Resistance: Many women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience insulin resistance, which not only disregulates their blood sugar but also creates a cascade of hormonal imbalances. This dysregulation contributes to symptoms like high androgens, irregular cycles, weight gain, and fatigue. A CGM helps track how different foods and activities affect glucose levels, allowing for better management and a more customized plan to put your PCOS into remission!
Hormonal Fluctuations: Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone influence how our bodies process glucose, as well as our insulin sensitivity. This means blood sugar patterns and responses can shift throughout the menstrual cycle, impacting energy, mood, and cravings. CGMs offer insight into these shifts, helping women fine-tune their nutrition and lifestyle habits accordingly.
Gestational Diabetes Awareness: Pregnant women or those trying to conceive can use CGMs to detect early signs of blood sugar imbalances, reducing risks for both mother and baby. CGM use is also an excellent way to avoid glucola at the traditional 28-week screening and OGTT (oral glucose tolerance test). We often use CGMs with fertility clients (and into pregnancy) who have an elevated A1C and are in the prediabetic range and who are committed to preventing a GD diagnosis as much as possible!
Menopause & Blood Sugar Sensitivity: During perimenopause and menopause, hormonal changes affect insulin sensitivity drastically, leading to unpredictable glucose fluctuations (and absolutely not helping energy or mood stability). Using a CGM can help women adjust their diet and exercise habits to stay balanced, as well as gain a little sanity in understanding the crazy swings that seem to accompany this season of womanhood.
Tips for Accurate CGM Use
Proper Placement: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for sensor placement. Common sites include the back of the upper arm or the abdomen.
Calibration: Although this is far less common nowadays, some CGMs may require calibration with traditional fingerstick tests. You must understand your device's requirements, so read the instructions and talk to your doctor.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can affect glucose readings. Keep your water (and electrolyte) intake adequate.
Regular Maintenance: Replace sensors as recommended (most last 10-14 days) and keep your device clean to ensure accurate readings.
Pro Tip for Peeling: If you find your sensor is starting to peel up at the edges before you’re due for replacement (most common with the Freestyle Libre sensors that last 14 days, and especially with our athletes), we use a piece of KT tape or Rock tape over top of the sensor to secure it and get the full life out of it! This won’t affect the accuracy, and it’ll make sure your sensor stays put for its full life.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your (Unique) Health & Wellness
A CGM isn’t just a fancy gadget… It’s a powerful tool that gives you insight into how your body responds to food, stress, and movement. And for women like us, this data is crucial in understanding hormonal shifts, regaining control of our metabolic health, managing conditions like PCOS, and optimizing overall wellness.
If you're curious about trying a CGM, talk to your doctor or a functional medicine practitioner (feel free to send us a message; this is so much my favorite topic to talk about that it’s why I started the podcast - no joke)! The key is understanding your body’s bio-individuality and making choices that truly support your health, not just for this year but for a lifetime.
Need more guidance on metabolic health, hormone balance, or making sense of your CGM data? Let’s navigate this together. Click here to book a complimentary phone consult if you have questions, or a new patient consultation if you’re ready to rock and roll. We’ll help you plan the best next step toward feeling and functioning your best!
