Glucose sensing technology – a diabetes GPS

Technology changes lives

In the past, you could only see your glucose levels at the time of your fingerprick check and in a record book when your diabetes health professional looked at it.

Being able to see a more complete picture of glucose levels can help you and your health professional make informed decisions about your diabetes care.

Glucose sensing devices are very popular and are being used by people of all ages with different types of diabetes. Some people use them to reduce their number of routine fingerpricks; others want to detect potentially dangerous hypos; and others want to improve and fine tune their diabetes management.

Most people find these new devices easy to use, but using them can mean more diabetes care tasks to complete and there is some technological savviness needed.

Some people find the amount of information about glucose levels overwhelming to start with, but most people soon adjust.

Using a new device and having more information can provide an insight into how situations such as exercise, snacking or drinking alcohol can affect glucose levels. This information can then provide extra motivation to make lifestyle changes.

NDSS subsidy

There is a subsidy through the NDSS to access a glucose monitor for eligible candidates. Others who can afford the full cost of the systems and sensors use them because they feel that the sensing technology helps them to better manage their diabetes. Unfortunately, for many people with diabetes, using glucose sensing technologies can be costly, but using a sensor can sometimes be just as helpful, especially before seeing their diabetes health professional. The extra glucose level information can be very helpful for making informed medication dose adjustments.

Talk to a diabetes educator

If you’re thinking of buying a glucose sensing device, talk to your diabetes nurse educator (DNE) first to help you decide which device is right for you. Your DNE can:

1. Teach you how to use the device
2. Help you understand the results
3. Help you with any diabetes management care changes you might need

Checking glucose by traditional fingerprick measures glucose in small blood vessels.

Glucose sensing devices measure glucose in the interstitial fluid (fluid between the cells) using a small sensor filament that sits under the skin.

A glucose level taken from the blood vessels of a finger will be different to a glucose result under the skin. This is because blood glucose is always 5-10 minutes ahead of interstitial glucose, especially during periods of rapid change. For instance, straight after a meal and during or after exercise.

This doesn’t mean sensor readings are inaccurate. However, there could be a chance of irregular readings when:

• The sensor is not inserted according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• You’re dehydrated
• The hole on the Freestyle Libre sensor is covered

The use of glucose sensing devices can mean less ‘routine’ fingerpricks, but there are times when a blood glucose reading should be measured:

• When glucose levels are rising rapidly, sensor readings may be lower than blood glucose
• When glucose levels are falling rapidly, sensor readings may be higher than blood glucose
• To confirm hypo and recovery from hypo
• If symptoms don’t match sensor readings

Types of glucose sensing systems

There are two main types of glucose sensing systems to choose from: continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and flash glucose monitoring (FGM).

Below is a table outlining the systems and some of the similarities and differences between each:

Both types of glucose sensing devices

• NDSS subsidy available for people with type 1 diabetes in eligible groups (no subsidy available for people with type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes mellitus)
• Devices are approved as accurate for use in Australia
• Research shows use can improve glucose levels
• Research shows use can decrease hypoglycaemia
• Detect glucose levels that you wouldn’t otherwise see
• Trend arrows help to see the rate and direction glucose is changing
• Understand how food, insulin, glucose lowering medication, other medication, exercise, alcohol and illness affect glucose levels
• Be informed about when glucose levels are above and below target
• Readings can be downloaded to computer using free software, with various reports available to see ‘patterns’ of glucose levels
• Readings can be shared with others via phone app link

Checking and acting on glucose levels are important parts of diabetes management. Devices that can make these tasks easier and less painful are welcome and can even be lifesaving. This is especially true with hypoglycaemia. Many people with diabetes are afraid of hypoglycaemia; and this fear can prevent them from living life to the full. Being able to see glucose levels and the direction they’re heading in with trend arrows can mean people with diabetes are more confident and safer to participate in activities such as exercise and driving.

If you’re keen to explore how glucose sensing technologies can give you more insight into your diabetes management, talk to your diabetes nurse educator (DNE) or contact the Diabetes Victoria Helpline on 1300 437 386 to speak with one of our DNEs.

To find out more about available devices and the NDSS subsidy criteria, head to the website.

To find out more about the current special offers (available until 31 December 2020) for first time users of the Freestyle Libre, click here.