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Top 5 CGM Trackers: Find the Perfect Device for Your Needs

Angela Breslin, RN
December 24, 2023
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min read

Introduction to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

Are you struggling to manage your blood sugar levels amidst your busy lifestyle? Diabetes is indeed a challenging condition and keeping a tab on your glucose levels can feel like a mammoth task. But what if we told you there’s a convenient high-tech solution - a Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) tracker, which promises to make managing diabetes less of a chore and more of a breeze?

CGM devices are no less than a technological breakthrough for people who are managing either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. These devices, effectively known as CGM trackers, continuously track your glucose levels instead of just providing sporadic snapshots, ensuring round-the-clock monitoring. Their functionality lies in a tiny yet powerful sensor placed just under the skin, which works continuously to measure glucose levels. A transmitter then sends these results to a wearable device or your cell phone, helping you track your glucose levels in real-time.

From the myriad of hurdles in diabetes management like the rigors of fingerstick checks to the unpredictability in glucose reactions, we at ProMed DME understand your concerns. And, our mission is to ease your journey to good health.

Here's a quick snapshot of top 5 CGM Trackers: 1. Dexcom G7 2. Freestyle Libre 3. Eversense CGM 4. Guardian Connect System 5. Levels

Infographic explaining the working of a CGM device - cgm tracker infographic infographic-line-5-steps

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into each of these CGM trackers, rated on aspects like functionality, ease of use, cost, and compatibility to find the right solution for you.

What is a CGM Tracker?

A continuous glucose monitor, or CGM tracker, is a wearable device that tracks your blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. This tracking is done automatically every few minutes, providing real-time data on your blood glucose levels. A CGM tracker is an essential tool for diabetes management, but it can also be beneficial for people without diabetes who want to better understand how their diet and lifestyle choices affect their blood sugar levels.

How CGM Trackers Work

A CGM tracker has three main components: a sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver. The sensor is a small device—either disposable or implantable—that is inserted under the skin, often on the belly or arm. The sensor estimates the glucose level in the fluid between your cells, which closely mirrors the glucose level in your blood.

The sensor then sends this information to the transmitter, which wirelessly delivers the data to the receiver. The receiver could be a smartphone, an insulin pump, or a separate device. On this device, you can track your blood glucose levels in real-time, making it easier to manage your diabetes and make informed decisions about your diet, exercise, and medication.

CGM tracker and its components - cgm tracker

The Benefits of Using a CGM Tracker

Using a CGM tracker has numerous benefits, especially for those managing diabetes. Firstly, it provides real-time data on glucose levels. This continuous monitoring can help you spot trends and understand how different foods, activities, and medications affect your blood sugar levels.

Moreover, it provides an accurate and comprehensive picture of your blood glucose trends, which can help prevent health problems caused by diabetes. It allows you to make more informed decisions about your lifestyle choices and medication, leading to better diabetes management.

Additionally, CGM trackers can be used by adults and children alike. Some models can even be used by children as young as 2 years old. This versatility makes CGM trackers a viable option for a wide range of individuals.

At ProMed DME, we understand the importance of having a reliable and user-friendly CGM tracker. We work closely with healthcare providers to ensure you receive the best device for your specific needs. We handle all the paperwork, from getting a prescription from your doctor to verifying insurance, ensuring a worry-free process for you.

Understanding how CGM trackers work and their benefits is the first step in revolutionizing your diabetes management. In the next sections, we will delve deeper into the top CGM trackers available in the market.

Top 5 CGM Trackers

Navigating CGM trackers can be overwhelming. That's why we've curated a list of the top 5 CGM trackers that combine innovation, accuracy, and user-friendliness.

Dexcom G7: High Accuracy and Medicare Coverage

The Dexcom G7 is renowned for its exceptional accuracy and expansive Medicare coverage. With real-time glucose readings and a user-friendly application process, it's a preferred choice for many. Plus, it's been shown to effectively lower A1C levels and increase time in range, contributing to improved diabetes outcomes. The best part? Recent Medicare changes have made the Dexcom G7 accessible to millions more people, making it a highly affordable option for Medicare patients.

Freestyle Libre: Deep Insights into Glucose Levels

The Freestyle Libre is known for its painless application process and its ability to provide deep insights into glucose levels. By placing the sensor on your arm, you can track your glucose constantly throughout the day. This can help you understand what makes your sugar levels fluctuate and make informed decisions about food and exercise. Its affordability and availability to Medicare patients who manage their diabetes with insulin makes it a popular choice.

Eversense CGM: Long Sensor Life and Wireless Readings

While not mentioned in our research sources, the Eversense CGM is worth noting for its long sensor life and wireless readings. This CGM tracker is implanted under the skin for up to 90 days, providing continuous glucose readings without the need for frequent sensor changes. The data is then sent to a mobile app, making it easy to view your glucose levels in real-time.

Guardian Connect System: Quick Glucose Readings and Predictive Alerts

The Guardian Connect System offers quick glucose readings and predictive alerts that notify you of potential high or low glucose events up to 60 minutes in advance. While this CGM tracker wasn't specifically mentioned in our research, it's well-known in the diabetes community for its reliable performance and user-friendly design.

Levels: Real-Time Glucose Data and Personalized Advice

Lastly, Levels is a CGM tracker that offers real-time glucose data and personalized advice. It's an ideal choice if you're looking for an easy-to-use device that not only tracks your glucose but also provides actionable insights to improve your health. Please note that while Levels wasn't specifically mentioned in our research, it's a noteworthy option due to its unique approach to diabetes management.

At ProMed DME, we understand the importance of finding a CGM tracker that aligns with your lifestyle and medical needs. We're here to help guide you through the process and ensure you have the right tools to manage your diabetes effectively.

How to Choose the Right CGM Tracker

Selecting the right CGM tracker is crucial as it directly impacts your diabetes management. Here are some factors you should consider for making an informed decision:

Considering Connectivity and Scan Frequency

The frequency at which a CGM tracker scans your glucose levels and its connectivity are two pivotal aspects to consider. Real-time CGM systems continuously scan your glucose levels and automatically relay the data to your phone or receiver, sending regular alerts about your blood sugar. On the other hand, intermittent-scan CGMs require you to manually scan them with your phone or receiver to access the data.

Furthermore, you should consider whether you prefer to connect the CGM tracker to your smartphone or a receiver. If you choose to use your phone, examine the accompanying app's user-friendliness and any special features it might offer.

Understanding Test Types and Insurance Coverage

Another crucial aspect to consider when choosing a CGM tracker is the type of test it employs. This involves determining where on your body the CGM's sensor will be placed, how it's inserted, and how often it will need to be replaced.

Moreover, it's vital to check whether the CGM trackers you're considering are covered by your insurance. Investigate how much the components will cost to maintain and replace over time. At ProMed DME, we work closely with healthcare providers and insurance companies to help you navigate these costs and make the process as worry-free as possible.

Evaluating the Technical Aspects and Ease of Use

Understanding the technical aspects of a CGM tracker and its ease of use significantly influences your diabetes management. While CGM devices can revolutionize your diabetes management, it's crucial to learn how to use them correctly. Misuse can lead to inaccurate readings, which could result in incorrect treatment decisions.

At ProMed DME, we place a high emphasis on user safety. Our registered nurse on staff can walk you through how to use your CGM device safely, ensuring accurate readings and optimal diabetes management. We also provide resources to assist you in applying your CGM sensor correctly, such as our guide on how to apply the Freestyle Libre CGM sensor.

As you consider these factors, remember that the best CGM tracker for you is one that aligns with your lifestyle, medical needs, and preferences. We're here to help you find that perfect fit.

The Role of ProMed DME in Providing Quality CGM Trackers

Navigating continuous glucose monitoring can be overwhelming. But at ProMed DME, we aim to simplify the process by offering a comprehensive range of high-quality CGM trackers to suit your unique needs.

ProMed DME's Commitment to Quality and Customer Service

At ProMed DME, we understand that managing diabetes is a daily challenge. That's why we take a comprehensive approach to provide not just products, but complete solutions that enhance your health management journey.

Our selection of CGM trackers includes the highly accurate Dexcom G6 and G7 systems, and the long-lasting sensor embedded Freestyle Libre 2 and 3 systems. These devices provide real-time glucose readings, personalized alerts, and valuable trends to help you make informed decisions about your diabetes treatment.

But we don't stop at providing high-quality devices. We also offer a worry-free process where our knowledgeable staff contacts your doctor, gets the prescription, verifies insurance, and processes all paperwork on your behalf. This ensures you are stocked monthly with your CGM device and sensors, allowing you to focus on what’s important - managing your health.

How ProMed DME Works with Insurance to Minimize Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Understanding insurance policies can be a daunting task. That's why we have insurance specialists who run your insurance upfront and provide you with the estimated out-of-pocket cost associated with your order if your insurance does not fully cover the supplies.

We handle all the billing and insurance paperwork on your behalf, simplifying the process and lessening the complexity of your order. Our goal is to provide transparency and reduce your financial burden where possible.

In conclusion, our commitment to customer satisfaction, high-quality devices, and minimizing costs makes us a trusted partner in your health journey. We believe in empowering our customers with the right tools and support to manage their diabetes effectively.

No matter where you are in your diabetes journey, we're here to help. To learn more about our CGM systems, visit our Continuous Glucose Monitoring page today.

Conclusion: Finding the Perfect CGM Tracker for Your Needs

After an in-depth exploration of the top 5 CGM trackers, it's clear that these devices have revolutionized the way diabetes is managed. From the high-accuracy Dexcom G7 to the user-friendly Freestyle Libre offering deep insights into glucose levels, Eversense CGM with its long sensor life, Guardian Connect System with quick glucose readings, and Levels with its real-time glucose data and personalized advice, each of these devices offers unique features to suit different needs.

Recap of Top 5 CGM Trackers

  1. Dexcom G7: Offers high accuracy and is Medicare-approved, making it a cost-effective option for many.
  2. Freestyle Libre: Provides deep insights into glucose levels, helping users understand their body's reaction to food and exercise.
  3. Eversense CGM: Known for its long sensor life and wireless readings, providing continuous monitoring with minimal interruptions.
  4. Guardian Connect System: Offers quick glucose readings and predictive alerts to help manage blood sugar levels effectively.
  5. Levels: Delivers real-time glucose data and personalized advice, allowing users to track and manage their glucose levels in a personalized manner.

The Importance of Personalized Diabetes Management

Choosing the right CGM tracker is an essential step in personalized diabetes management. By understanding your unique needs and how different devices can meet them, you can make an informed decision that will positively impact your health. The goal is to find a device that not only tracks your glucose levels accurately but also fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.

At ProMed DME, we understand that managing diabetes is a personal journey. That's why we offer a range of top-quality CGM trackers along with the support you need to use them effectively. We're committed to helping you find the perfect CGM tracker for your needs, ensuring you have the tools to manage your diabetes confidently and successfully.

For more information about diabetes management and CGM trackers, explore our resource pages and ask a nurse for personalized advice. We're always here to help guide you on your journey to better health.

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