Monitor Blood Sugar Without a Finger Prick (2024)

Managing diabetes can now be done with blood sugar monitors that don't require a finger prick. A variety of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can accurately check your blood sugar throughout the day via a small sensor inserted under the skin.

The sensor is usually not even detectable once it's placed, and since it constantly measures internal glucose levels, you don't need to prick your finger to get a blood sample. Although, some devices may require a finger prick to initially calibrate the device.

These monitors are useful for people who have type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, especially those who take insulin. Different types of CGMs are appropriate for different needs.

Monitor Blood Sugar Without a Finger Prick (1)

How Continuous Glucose Monitors Work

While some of the features of various CGMs differ, they all consist of the same basic system that allows them to measure real-time sugar levels.

These monitors usually consist of three parts:

  • Sensor:There are two types of sensors. One is inserted into the skin with a small needle and is replaced within a week or two (depending on the brand). Another option is to have an implantable sensor, which is a small pellet around 18 millimeters long; it's placed under the skin for several months. These sensors measure blood sugar in the fluid between cells, rather than glucose found in blood.
  • Transmitter:A wireless transmitter is attached to the sensor and sends the glucose readings to a receiver.
  • Receiver:The device that picks up the transmission can be a stand-alone portable monitor, an app on your phone, or part of an insulin pump that automatically delivers insulin to the body when needed.

The regular sensor can be inserted at home by you or another person. The implantable sensor is placed under the skin in an office by a healthcare provider.

Depending on the exact device, your sensor might be inserted in your abdomen or arm. An adhesive patch goes over the skin to hold the sensor and transmitter in place.

After the sensor is placed, it may take some time (30 minutes to two hours) for the system to warm up or calibrate. Some devices require you to do a finger prick at this point so it can set up an accurate starting reading.

You can usually set various alerts or personalized ranges on the monitor. The device will alert you (with a sound or vibration) when glucose levels are too high or too low. It will also notify you when the sensor needs to be replaced.

Tracking Your Sugar Intake

Some CGMs allow you to record food and beverages you consume so you can better manage your diabetes. You may also be able to track physical activity and medications, all of which affect your blood sugar.

Types of Sugar Monitors Without Finger Pricks

There are two broad categories of continuous glucose monitors:

  • Real-time: These devices automatically measure glucose and send a reading to your monitor without being prompted.
  • Intermittently scanned: These devices require you to scan the sensor to get a reading.
  • Doctor-managed: This type of device is put in place by a healthcare provider and is used for a short period to gather data about your blood sugar levels to help your provider make a treatment plan.

Brands of CGM

The best type of CGM depends on your individual needs. These are some of the popular devices available today.

  • The FreeStyle Libre system: With one version available just for adults and one for children over 4 and adults, this system provides real-time glucose readings every minute. It's replaced every 14 days.
  • Abbott Freestyle Libre 2 Plus: For ages 2 and older, this system measures glucose every minute. It is replaced every 7 days.
  • Abbott Freestyle Libre 14: For ages 18 and older, it also measures glucose every minute and is replaced every 7 days.
  • Dexcom G6: For ages 2 and up, this system measures glucose every 5 minutes and is replaced every 10 days.
  • Medtronic Guardian Connect: Appropriate for ages 14 to 75, this system sends readings to your monitor every 5 minutes. It's replaced every 7 days.
  • Senseonics Eversense: This is an implantable sensor for ages 18 and older. It sends readings every 5 minutes. It's replaced after about 180 days.

Over-the-Counter CGMs

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved one continuous glucose monitor that's available over the counter without a prescription.

The Dexcom Stelo Glucose Biosensor System is for adults with diabetes who don't use insulin.

Benefits

Continuous glucose monitors have become increasingly easier to use and the readings more accurate over the past few years. Arm systems now offer accuracy of up to 95% and abdomen devices are up to 93% accurate.

CGM devices test the fluid in the space around the body's cells, which is just as effective for glucose monitoring as blood from capillaries (small blood vessels, such as in your fingertip).

Other advantages of CGMs over traditional fingerprick monitoring include:

  • Easier to track blood sugar: Studies have shown that people with diabetes who test their blood frequently have steadier glucose levels. They also have a lower A1C, which is a measurement of long-term blood sugar control.
  • Better at preventing low blood sugar: CGM devices are better at preventing hypoglycemia, including nighttime hypoglycemia.
  • Fewer to no fingerpricks: While some systems require you to test blood from a finger prick to set up the monitor or confirm accuracy, you don't need multiple pricks each day. This is both more convenient and less painful.
  • More affordable: Another advantage of a CGM is that it may reduce the cost of diabetes care. According to a 2020 study, people living with diabetes who use continuous glucose monitors may cut their annual cost of medical care by more than 50% compared to those who use finger prick tests.

Limitations of Continuous Blood Sugar Monitors

While CGMs are convenient and can monitor blood sugar without finger pricks, they do have some drawbacks.

The first concern is that the results may be inaccurate. For this reason, it's recommended that if you get an alert that your blood glucose is too high or too low, you should verify the level with a finger prick blood test before you take actions such as increasing your insulin dose.

Other issues with CGMs include the following:

  • Learning how to use the system and set preferences is time-consuming.
  • It may make you feel overwhelmed with information, which can also make you second-guess choices about food and lifestyle.
  • Some people develop "alarm fatigue," which means they are annoyed by frequent or false alerts.
  • You may feel uncomfortable with the sensor attached to your body.
  • The adhesive can cause skin irritation.

Cost of Continuous Glucose Monitors

The cost of continuous glucose monitors is usually covered by private insurance or Medicaid if your provider recommends one for you. You may need to meet certain requirements for coverage. For instance, insurers may only cover the system if you receive insulin via a pump or need to do four or more finger stick tests a day.

The products should be fully covered by Medicare if you qualify.

Without insurance, you may pay between $2,500 and $6,000 annually for CGM. The starting price for glucose monitoring devices is $220 per month with prices for other devices ranging from $1,000 to $1,400 and replaceable sensors costing $35 to $100 every seven to 10 days. Replacement batteries cost about $500 per year.

However, manufacturers offer coupons and savings programs to reduce the cost for those without insurance.

Who Should Use Blood Sugar Monitors Without Finger Pricks?

CGMs can be used by people trying to control their diabetes. They are typically recommended for adults with type1 diabetes who have high A1C levels. Some devices are also approved for children over age 2 with a healthcare provider's prescription.

These devices are also effective for people with type 2 diabetes who are dependent on insulin.

In addition, healthcare providers may recommend CGMs for other conditions that impact glucose levels, like:

  • Prediabetes
  • Obesity
  • Insulinoma, a rare tumor that releases excess insulin and causes severe low blood sugar.

FDA Warning About Phone Apps

The FDA has issued a warning regarding smartwatches and phone apps that claim to be able to measure blood sugar. These applications, which are not connected to sensors in the body, do not accurately measure blood glucose values.

Summary

Continuous glucose monitors are blood sugar monitors that do not use finger prick tests to measure glucose throughout the day. A sensor inserted or implanted into the arm or abdomen sends regular readings of glucose to a monitor. If your blood sugar is too high or too low, an alert goes off, or an automatic insulin injector may be triggered.

These monitors are convenient and avoid the pain of constant finger pricks. There are some downsides to the system, but for many people, they prove to be easy to use and may help you manage your diabetes.

Monitor Blood Sugar Without a Finger Prick (2024)

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