Caption: Mary Thompson, RN and Diabetic Educator, trains Dennis Beauchamp, Sr. how to use the continuous glucose monitor.

Diabetics hear a lot of talk these days about continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and for good reason. The CGM gives valuable information on how your blood sugar fluctuates so you can fine-tune your diabetes care and meal plan.

Think of it like driving a car. Glucose levels are constantly on the move.  Relying solely on fingersticks for checking your glucose is like being blindfolded and only peeking every once in a while — this is just not enough visibility, especially if your diabetes is not under control. 

If you are one of the estimated 1,381 diabetics in Ste. Genevieve ask yourself these questions:

·Is your diabetes under control?

 Is your A1C above the recommended 7%? 

·Are you having episodes of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar? 

·Have you had diabetes ketoacidosis or unexplained high blood sugars? 

·Are you having high blood sugars after you eat a meal? 

·Do you have gestational diabetes? 

If the answer is yes to any of these questions you are a candidate for a three-day continuous glucose monitor.

Dennis Beauchamp, Sr. of Ste. Genevieve County has experience with the CGM. His physician, Dr Raju,  was able to see his continuous blood sugars over the course of three days and then adjust his diabetes medication as needed.  Mr. Beauchamp repeated the monitor to see if the medication changes were effective and if other changes were needed. 

“This continuous glucose monitor was not complicated at all and it really didn’t bother me to wear the sensor,” Beauchamp stated.  “My doctor was able to adjust my diabetes medicine after wearing the monitor. It was easy. Anyone can do it.”

Mary Thompson, RN and Certified Diabetes Educator at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital says the CGM is simple to insert. 

“The CGM has a sensor inserted just under the skin on the abdomen and is worn discreetly under your shirt for 72 hours,” she said. “The simple insertion procedure is done at the hospital. The continuous glucose monitor is easy to use and usually takes about 20 minutes to insert the tiny catheter and train you on its use.  To calibrate the monitor, you must check your blood sugar four times per day. We teach you how to document your blood sugars, exercise sessions, and food intake, make sure you’re comfortable with wearing the monitor before you leave for home.”

Thompson explained that the really great news is that while you are wearing the monitor it will take 288 glucose readings per day and save a glucose measurement every 10 seconds. Daily fingerstick measurements represent but a few minutes of the day, and do not show the direction or trend of your blood sugar.  This allows fluctuations to be missed, especially at night.

At the end of three days, the information is down-loaded to the computer and is organized into charts, graphs and tables.  Your primary care practitioner can then use this information to make medication changes, evaluate behavioral changes, and identify the effect of food, exercise, medications and insulin on your blood sugar numbers.

Talk to your physician about scheduling this valuable monitoring tool, which has been beneficial to diabetics for nearly three decades now.  You may call Thompson at Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital at 573-883-7743 for any questions about diabetes management or the continuous glucose monitor.