Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

For people with diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is a modern alternative to frequent finger sticks. At Endocrine and Psychiatry Center, endocrinology specialist Rakesh Patel, DO, and the team of experts help patients with CGMs in their Houston and Katy, Texas, offices. To learn more about CGMs and how they can make your life easier, call the nearest office or schedule your appointment online now. 

What is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)?

CGM systems measure your blood glucose levels using a sensor implanted in the skin of your upper arm. With a CGM, you can see your blood glucose levels at any point in time and can also view your history over the prior hours or days.

Who needs continuous glucose monitoring?

If you have diabetes, a CGM system could make your life much easier. While most people who use CGMs have Type 1 diabetes, a growing number of people with Type 2 diabetes use CGMs to monitor their disease more effectively. 

If you find it inconvenient or difficult to use your blood glucose meter many times during the day, CGM offers a much easier solution. 

How does continuous glucose monitoring work?

The Endocrine and Psychiatry Center recommends Eversense®, the only 6-month CGM system available today. The team places the small sensor in your upper arm during an office visit. 

A smart transmitter sits on your arm atop the sensor. It has a rechargeable battery. The smart transmitter adheres to your arm with a comfortable adhesive patch, which you replace daily.

Because the adhesive patches are waterproof and the transmitter is water-resistant (to a depth of 3.2 feet), you can wear it in the shower or bath.  

The smart transmitter continually sends information to your smartphone app (The Eversense XL app), where you can see your current and past blood glucose levels on an easy-to-view screen.

The Eversense CGM provides on-body vibration to alert you to high and low blood glucose levels. You’ll use your blood glucose meter twice a day to verify your blood glucose levels. If your Eversense CGM alerts you to abnormal readings, you’ll confirm them with your blood glucose meter.

What are the advantages of a continuous glucose monitor?

Many people with diabetes have finger sticks with their blood glucose meter up to a dozen times a day. A CGM allows you to avoid that discomfort and inconvenience, and it gives you more frequent data regarding your blood glucose levels. 

In addition, a CGM helps you recognize patterns in your blood glucose so you can plan your diet and medication doses more effectively. With the real-time alerts, you can take steps to fix high or low blood glucose right away, before you experience a life-threatening problem like diabetic ketoacidosis. 

To learn more about CGMs, call Endocrine and Psychiatry Center or book your consultation online now.