What CGM systems are available in 2018?
View diabetes educator Gary Scheiner’s in-depth article about Dexcom, Abbott and Medtronic CGMs available in 2018
2016 CGM Reviews
View diabetes educator Gary Scheiner’s reviews of 2016 CGMs
Like insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems all have certain basic properties in common.
Features common to all CGM systems:
- System includes a subcutaneous sensor, transmitter (Separate or built in).
- Wireless system between transmitter and receiver.
- Waterproof sensors/transmitters (receiver/display not waterproof).
- Multiple on-screen trend graphs.
- Direction and rate-of-change arrows
- Mechanical device used to insert sensors.
- Sensors may be re-usable; sensor life varies from person to person.
- Warmup period (with no data) at beginning of sensor session.
- Some lag time between blood glucose (fingerstick) and subcutaneous glucose (sensor) values.
- Backlogged data reported to receiver/app when in range
- Events such as food, insulin or activity can be logged
- Insurance coverage varies from plan to plan.
- Minimal skin irritation, even with prolonged sensor life.
- 30-Day Money-Back guarantee
But each CGM also has unique features that make them better choices for certain individuals. Read our list of the pros and cons of some of the continuous glucose monitors available now.
Senseonics Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitor ReviewIntegrated Diabetes Services2018-12-05T21:01:54+00:00
Pros & Cons of the Senseonics Eversense Continuous Glucose Monitor
Unique Advantages: Pros
- Approved Sensor life 90 days
- Variety of vibrate & audio alerts via phone app
- Transmitter vibrates for alerts when out of range of phone
- Data back fills when away from phone/receiver
- Real time alerts for high, low, rate of change, or predictive low
- Not impacted by acetaminophen use
- Real-time sharable data
- Transmitter can be removed and replaced without sensor change
- Least medical waste
Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- Sensor insertion (and removal) requires incision in physician’s office
- 24 hour warm up period after insertion
- Requires twice-daily calibration
- Transmitter requires daily or bi-daily charging
- Data upload not compatible with third party software
- Not Medicare approved
- Data not collected if transmitter not worn
Medtronic Guardian3 – 670G or Guardian Connect CGM ReviewIntegrated Diabetes Services2018-12-06T15:20:38+00:00
Pros & Cons of the Medtronic Guardian3 – 670G or Guardian Connect Continuous Glucose Monitor
Unique Advantages: Pros
- Available with 670G integration or Guardian Connect app (but not both)
- Approved Sensor life 7 days (sensors may be reused)
- Customizable alerts for different times and days
- Single-button insertion
- Vibrate & audio alerts only limited by phone’s options (Guardian Connect only)
- Real time alerts for high, low, rate of change, or predictive low/high
- Real-time sharable data (Guardian Connect only)
- Sugar IQ companion app generates reports, indicates patterns/trends (Guardian Connect only)
Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- 2 hour warm up time
- Complicated taping procedure
- Multiple tapes can cause skin skin issues
- Requires at least once calibration every 12 hours
- Stops generating data if not calibrated
- Transmitter requires 10-20 minute charge every 7 days
- Only compatible with Medtronic pumps, apps, and uploading
- Guardian Connect Apps available only on Apple devices
- Impacted by acetaminophen use
- Fair accuracy
More Articles about the Medtronic 670G
670G and Me: Insights and Incites on Medtronic’s Latest System, by Gary Scheiner
Loop vs. 670G: A Case Study in Government Oversight vs. Grassroots Innovation, by Gary Scheiner
Point/Counterpoint: IDS Clinicians Offer Different Perspectives on the Medtronic 670G
Medtronic 670G: Changing the way we think about diabetes management, but in a good way?, by Alicia Downs
Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor ReviewIntegrated Diabetes Services2018-12-05T21:06:12+00:00
Pros & Cons of the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitor
Unique Advantages: Pros
- No calibration needed
- Calibration available to improve accuracy
- Approved Sensor life 10 days
- Customizable alerts for different times and days
- Single button push insertion
- Vibrate & audio alerts
- Interoperability to Tandem X2 pump
- Sends data to phone app (and apple watch), receiver, or pump.
- Real time alerts for high, low, rate of change, predictive urgent low
- “Always sound” feature can sound alerts when phone is on silent.
- Not impacted by acetaminophen use
- Real-time sharable data
- Approved for children over 2
- Medicare approved
- Clarity companion app automatically uploads data, generates reports
Potential Drawbacks: CONS
- Transmitter must be replaced every 3 months
- Lots of medical waste with sensor inserters
- Occasional delays receiving product orders and technical support
- Re-use of sensors involves a difficult process
- Costly sensors and transmitters