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Glucose Monitors

PhilTCas

Newbie
Messages
2
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
I do not have diabetes
I’m currently pre-diabetic with a HbA1c of 42. I’ve seen a lot of advertisements for CGM’s and wondered if they any help in lowering my level over time? I’ve completed a 9 month NHS Second Nature course so know a decent amount about food types/portion control etc. I managed to get a reduction to 41 but sadly I’ve crept back up to 42. Just wondering if a CGM may give me useful information to help lower my level. I’ve read they tend to over read and report higher than real levels so insure.
TIA
Phil
 
Hi and welcome to the forum @PhilTCas . A CGMs are useful, but pricey. They are useful because, as the name suggests, they continuously monitor your blood sugars, via your interstitial fluid. You can see how your body is dealing with the foods you eat. CGM 's produce a graph that show your blood sugars in near real time.

I have attached a recent graph from my Free Libre 2 cgm. You can see from my graph I did very well with my food choices in the AM. I had something for lunch that gave my blood sugars a little rise, but on the whole I'm pleased because the graph remains relatively smooth.

I have attached another graph from a month or so ago. It's a little more bumpy. I had some gluten free toast, and you can see the result, my blood sugars shot up, and likely remained up for sometime. I know toast sends me up, so I try and avoid it.
So, this is how a CGM can help you understand how well your body deals with the foods you eat.
Ed spelling
 

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Hi and welcome to the forum @PhilTCas . A CGMs are useful, but pricey. They are useful because, as the name suggests, they continuously monitor your blood sugars, via your interstitial fluid. You can see how your body is dealing with the foods you eat. CGM 's produce a graph that show your blood sugars in near real time.

I have attached a recent graph from my Free Libre 2 cgm. You can see from my graph I did very well with my food choices in the AM. I had something for lunch that gave my blood sugars a little rise, but on the whole I'm pleased because the graph remains relatively smooth.

I have attached another graph from a month or so ago. It's a little more bumpy. I had some gluten free toast, and you can see the result, my blood sugars shot up, and likely remained up for sometime. I know toast sends me up, so I try and avoid it.
So, this is how a CGM can help you understand how well your body deals with the foods you eat.
Ed spelling
That’s really helpful. Thank you
 
You are very welcome @PhilTCas. Feel free to ask questions, members are only too willing to chip in with their own experiences. Many members have had great success with low and very low carb diets, check out some of the foody sub forums. :)
 
both abbots and dexcom do free trials so nothing really to lose in trying them out :) make wee notes of what foods work better for you during this time can be a bit more experimental than normal. you can get 25 days free (between libre+dexcom) make sure to take advantage of that if considering using that way you'll know after both trials finish which you prefer and which appears to be more accurate (ensure to do a few finger pricks to check... be aware readings will not match finger pricks little bit of lag, amongst other reasons that they can be out (eg compression lows), can take a little time before readings start to match better (8-24 hours or so).
 
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