Zoe - the health study and other CGM's

[Dicky300]

Has anyone used continual glucose monitors.

 

[Hopeful34]

A lot of people who post on this forum use cgm's or a flash glucose monitor. There are quite a few threads on it. Was there something particular you wanted to know?

 

[Antje77]

Has anyone used continual glucose monitors.

Sure!
We T1's on insulin usually get them as part of our treatment nowadays.

For the T2's it's not that obvious, but many people self fund, either once in a while to get some more insights, or on a daily base if they can afford it.

If you'd like to try, you can simply order a trial with Freestyle Libre here: https://www.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/getting-started/sampling.html
It does need a smartphone to work though.

Do you already use a glucose meter with fingerpricks?
Many of us find that Libre is brilliant for finding patterns and trends, but not as trustworthy as a fingerstick when it comes to absolute numbers.

 

[Rachox]

I’m a type 2 who doesn’t get any testing kit on prescription, but I fund Libres myself. I have learnt so much since using them, how my body reacts to different foods, what my blood sugars do while I’m asleep, stressed, exercising, doing nothing, getting stuck in a traffic jam, the list goes on…

 

[MrsA2]

I'm a T2 and use one every so often, mainly for the times when I can't be in full control of my food such as holidays or work trips.
Use was very helpful when I was learning what foods suit my body and which don't.
But at £50 for each 14 days, I limit myself to 2 or 3 a year

 

[Dicky300]

A lot of people who post on this forum use cgm's or a flash glucose monitor. There are quite a few threads on it. Was there something particular you wanted to know?

I understand the concept and I know friends , with T1 who use them but they are on NHS , for T" I would need to pay and I wondered if peopel find it useful. I am little scared of it becoming obsessive. Also do they always have to be on your arm?

 

[Dicky300]

I'm a T2 and use one every so often, mainly for the times when I can't be in full control of my food such as holidays or work trips.
Use was very helpful when I was learning what foods suit my body and which don't.
But at £50 for each 14 days, I limit myself to 2 or 3 a year

Thanks , that's the sort of experience I was looking for. They hand them out on the Zoe test , but not for T1 or T2?!?.
I go through stages of using the prick tests but I'm not sure I catch the peaks etc.

 

[Dicky300]

I’m a type 2 who doesn’t get any testing kit on prescription, but I fund Libres myself. I have learnt so much since using them, how my body reacts to different foods, what my blood sugars do while I’m asleep, stressed, exercising, doing nothing, getting stuck in a traffic jam, the list goes on…

Thanks for insight , do you notice other changes , mood, brain fog , other pains at different times as well. ?
would you share anything you've noticed about sleep. I read this article which related carbs at bedtime leading to sugar and then cortisol / adrenaline spikes at 3-4 am. Curious as I had a spate of waking with an immense sense of dread at 3.30 - 4.30 in the AM. no chance of getting back to sleep. I must add this was happening before I read article

 

[Dicky300]

Sure!
We T1's on insulin usually get them as part of our treatment nowadays.

For the T2's it's not that obvious, but many people self fund, either once in a while to get some more insights, or on a daily base if they can afford it.

If you'd like to try, you can simply order a trial with Freestyle Libre here: https://www.freestyle.abbott/uk-en/getting-started/sampling.html
It does need a smartphone to work though.

Do you already use a glucose meter with fingerpricks?
Many of us find that Libre is brilliant for finding patterns and trends, but not as trustworthy as a fingerstick when it comes to absolute numbers.

Thanks for the link.
Ironically , I've signed up for Zoe since posting . I like the idea of Libre, but not paying for it. Yes I do use prick tests. but I'm curious about when I'm asleep.
Also I usually 10/14 IF sometimes 8/16 and wonder if sugars are smooth during those times etc.

 

[Robbity]

I'm T2 and I used (and paid for) the original Libre sensors for about a year . I was already - and am still - using my (also self funded) glucose monitor and test strips. I've learmed a lot from both options and the sensors also confirmed most of the knowledge I'd aleady gained from finger pricking. My sensors consistently read 1-2mmol lower than my meter but patterns and trends matched. I've eaten a low carb normal fat/kerogenic type diet since my original diagnosis, so a lot of what I've learned has been related to issues other than diet.

I tend to do what I consider "erratic" fastring in that I let my body decide if and when I eat. Burning mainly fats as fuel means that my glucoss levels remain fairly stable within my chosen target range.

As for brain fog, I was eating a too high carb for diet a few years prior to T2, causing me to end up a complete brain fogged befuddled zombie, but cutting right back down on those extra carbs has put an end to that for me.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

@Dicky300 why don't you register for the free Libre trial?
It is available from their website and will give you a cheaper experience than the Zoe research.

Also, the 3-4am rise is likely to be Dawn Phenomenon. This is a liver dump first thing in the morning to give your body energy to start the day. It happens to most people regardless of diabetes.
There are numerous threads about it on the forum

 

[Rachox]

Thanks for insight , do you notice other changes , mood, brain fog , other pains at different times as well. ?
would you share anything you've noticed about sleep. I read this article which related carbs at bedtime leading to sugar and then cortisol / adrenaline spikes at 3-4 am. Curious as I had a spate of waking with an immense sense of dread at 3.30 - 4.30 in the AM. no chance of getting back to sleep. I must add this was happening before I read article

Just remember everyone is different, however here’s a screenshot of a typical daily graph for me. My blood sugars just gradually reduce overnight, I have a quick rise as I get up and eat (a low carb) breakfast. The following rise is when I was swimming, then typically my levels drop throughout the remainder of the day. Just to note I don’t eat lunch, I just have a couple of low carb snacks with coffee til dinner time in the evening. My low carb dinners don’t budge my readings by much.

 

[Dicky300]

Just remember everyone is different, however here’s a screenshot of a typical daily graph for me. My blood sugars just gradually reduce overnight, I have a quick rise as I get up and eat (a low carb) breakfast. The following rise is when I was swimming, then typically my levels drop throughout the remainder of the day. Just to note I don’t eat lunch, I just have a couple of low carb snacks with coffee til dinner time in the evening. My low carb dinners don’t budge my readings by much.
View attachment 61791

Thanks for sharing , that looks really level to me...something to aim for for me I think. Interesting the no lunch...I still out on lunch vs breakfast. .

 

[Dicky300]

@Dicky300 why don't you register for the free Libre trial?
It is available from their website and will give you a cheaper experience than the Zoe research.

Also, the 3-4am rise is likely to be Dawn Phenomenon. This is a liver dump first thing in the morning to give your body energy to start the day. It happens to most people regardless of diabetes.
There are numerous threads about it on the forum

thanks for pointer, I'll take a look around. It's normal with most forums , all the info is in here somewhere. I need to get this morning thing sorted though . I track my sleep . I can count on one hand nights over 6 hours and once/twice a week I'm going through a day on 3 1/2 hours sleep. It's been like this for 4 months plus

 

[Dicky300]

I'm T2 and I used (and paid for) the original Libre sensors for about a year . I was already - and am still - using my (also self funded) glucose monitor and test strips. I've learmed a lot from both options and the sensors also confirmed most of the knowledge I'd aleady gained from finger pricking. My sensors consistently read 1-2mmol lower than my meter but patterns and trends matched. I've eaten a low carb normal fat/kerogenic type diet since my original diagnosis, so a lot of what I've learned has been related to issues other than diet.

I tend to do what I consider "erratic" fastring in that I let my body decide if and when I eat. Burning mainly fats as fuel means that my glucoss levels remain fairly stable within my chosen target range.

As for brain fog, I was eating a too high carb for diet a few years prior to T2, causing me to end up a complete brain fogged befuddled zombie, but cutting right back down on those extra carbs has put an end to that for me.

Thanks for this, It makes me feel like on the right track but at a bit of a plateau. I'm low carb but I've been lapsing if I'm honest. I feel the weight of thirty years of habit vs 18 months of change. but getting there.

 

[KennyA]

Thanks for the link.
Ironically , I've signed up for Zoe since posting . I like the idea of Libre, but not paying for it. Yes I do use prick tests. but I'm curious about when I'm asleep.
Also I usually 10/14 IF sometimes 8/16 and wonder if sugars are smooth during those times etc.

I tried the Libre on the free trial for much the same reasons . It isn't all that accurate or reliable in my experience but it does tell you what happens when you aren't testing (when it works).

It did show me something I'm not sure I could have found out any other way. This is that I sometimes have an abrupt BG drop (from a tandard low 5 to below 3) in the early hours followed by a steady rise, which is Dawn Phenomenon. This drop is accompanied by vivid dreams, night sweats, etc. I was obviously already aware of the dreams and sweats, and the dawn phenom, but not the BG fall.

I have no idea why this happens. A few other people have reported the same thing.

 

[Dicky300]

I tried the Libre on the free trial for much the same reasons . It isn't all that accurate or reliable in my experience but it does tell you what happens when you aren't testing (when it works).

It did show me something I'm not sure I could have found out any other way. This is that I sometimes have an abrupt BG drop (from a tandard low 5 to below 3) in the early hours followed by a steady rise, which is Dawn Phenomenon. This drop is accompanied by vivid dreams, night sweats, etc. I was obviously already aware of the dreams and sweats, and the dawn phenom, but not the BG fall.

I have no idea why this happens. A few other people have reported the same thing.

yes , just hearing about the Dawn Phenomenon makes me feel better ...It's not just me. Monitoring it seems the way forward. Thanks

 

[Zotato]

I self fund (only doing it for 90 days) libre 2 which is great in some respects. Gives a better understanding on what's happening during the day. It's always runs lower readings than finger prick but still accurate enough once you figure out out the slight difference.

 

[MrsA2]

@Dicky300 i get mine as birthday and Christmas presents...solves the problem of what to buy me as most gift type foods are off the radar. Also the holiday one seems cheaper than a new dress or swimsuit, or a meal out.
I'd suggest going for the free one then at least one more. Then in that time try one eating as you do to see what's going on normally, then in the second one try a few carby foods. It's so motivating to see high numbers as really graphically shows what to avoid.

 

[Antje77]

@Dicky300 i get mine as birthday and Christmas presents...solves the problem of what to buy me as most gift type foods are off the radar.

This is a very expensive present to ask for, depending on your relation with the giver and their finances.
Perfect if you have family or friends giving such big presents as a rule, not very feasible for most people I think.
Asking for a donation towards buying one could work though!