Staying Fit with Continuous Glucose Monitoring
- Blessing Amatemeso
- Aug 21
- 4 min read
A few weeks ago, Mattel, in partnership with Breakthrough T1D, released the first ever Barbie with type 1 diabetes. I thought it was cute, but many did not.
I read comments under the post on Facebook, and one caught my attention.
"There's no way someone this slim has diabetes..." followed by some unmentionable words.
Comments like those are, perhaps, why the doll became necessary in the first place.
Nine years ago in 2016, the World Health Day theme was "Halt the rise, beat diabetes" which aimed to increase awareness about the rising prevalence of diabetes and its consequences, and to encourage action to prevent and manage the disease.
The campaign highlighted the need for increased access to diagnosis, treatment, and self-management education, as well as the importance of healthy lifestyles in preventing type 2 diabetes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched its first global report on diabetes, providing comprehensive data and analysis on the burden and consequences of the disease.
Because the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known and no specific environmental risk factors have been found, the known prevention strategies are targeted towards type 2 diabetes, causing a knowledge gap.
It is important to note that people with type 1 diabetes have deficient insulin production and also have high blood sugar.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body can no longer produce insulin—a hormone essential for allowing glucose (sugar) to enter cells for energy. This condition often begins in childhood or adolescence, but it can develop at any age. Unlike type 2 diabetes, it is not caused by lifestyle factors yet they are also prone to the complications of diabetes just like people with type 2 DM. People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin daily, either through injections or an insulin pump, to survive, unlike type 2 diabetes which can be initially managed by oral drugs.
Managing type 1 diabetes goes beyond just taking insulin. It requires constant attention to blood sugar levels, which are affected by food, activity, illness, stress, and even sleep. People with Type 1 diabetes need to count carbohydrates, monitor their glucose frequently, and be prepared to treat both low and high blood sugar events. Education, support, and access to the right tools are critical for living well with this condition.
For years, people with diabetes have had to rely on finger-prick tests—sometimes up to 8 times a day—to monitor their blood sugar levels. Each prick is a painful reminder of a lifelong condition, and often, those tests only provide a single snapshot in time. But blood sugar isn’t static—it fluctuates based on meals, stress, activity, sleep, and even hormones. This is where Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are changing the game.
A continuous glucose monitor is a small wearable device that measures glucose levels in real time, 24/7. A tiny sensor is inserted just under the skin—usually on the arm or abdomen—which measures glucose in the interstitial fluid (the fluid between cells). The sensor sends data to a display device, like a smartphone or smartwatch, updating every few minutes.
Modern CGMs can store trends, alert users to sudden spikes or drops, and even sync with insulin pumps. Some can be worn for up to 14 days before needing replacement.
Pros of CGM
1. Real-time data: See glucose trends throughout the day and night.
2. Fewer finger pricks: Most CGMs require only occasional calibration (or none at all).
3. Alerts & predictions: Warn you before a hypo- or hyperglycaemic episode.
4. Better glucose control: Helps spot patterns and make informed decisions.
5. Remote monitoring: Caregivers can receive alerts too—useful for kids or elderly users.
6. Improved lifestyle tracking: You learn how food, sleep, and exercise affect glucose.
Cons of CGM
1. Cost: CGMs can be expensive and are not always fully covered by insurance.
2. Sensor replacement: Sensors must be changed every 7–14 days.
3. Accuracy limitations: Not always 100% accurate during rapid glucose changes.
4. Skin irritation: Adhesive may cause reactions for some users.
5. Learning curve: Understanding trend graphs and alerts takes some getting used to.
Despite the cons, CGM, like all technology is, and will continue to evolve but it already plays a very important role. An important component of diabetes management is monitoring the effects of therapy in real time.
CGM: Not Just for Diabetics
While CGMs were designed for diabetes management, non-diabetics—like athletes, biohackers, and health-conscious individuals—are increasingly using them. Why? Because glucose impacts energy, mood, focus, and fat storage. CGMs can help optimize workouts, avoid energy crashes, and understand how specific foods affect your body.
For example, someone might discover that a "healthy" smoothie causes a major glucose spike, leading to fatigue later. Or an athlete might use CGM data to fine-tune pre-workout meals for peak performance.
Bottom line: CGMs are more than medical devices—they’re real-time health monitors. Whether you're managing diabetes or just curious about how your body handles food and stress, continuous glucose monitoring offers insights that finger pricks never could.
The future of personalised health is continuous; CGM is on the train and Eustar and Gold is driving the train.
Contact us for all your health-related questions and health technology needs
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