A continuous glucose monitor (“CGM”) is a device that measures glucose levels throughout the day, including while the user is sleeping. These devices can provide up to 288 glucose measurements every 24 hours. A traditional glucose monitoring test (such as testing via fingerstick) is just a snapshot in time. (See the figure below.)

Continuous glucose monitoring allows the user to see what is happening between individual glucose meter tests, including some levels that may not have been detected. (See the figure below.)

Why Continuous Glucose Monitoring?
In many cases, traditional blood glucose testing does not tell the whole story of diabetes control, even for people who monitor frequently. Continuous monitoring is different from traditional blood glucose monitoring in several ways

Trends
CGM shows your glucose trend over a period of time. The trend shows the increase or decrease in glucose, as well as how fast it is happening. This trend information together with the glucose value shows you patterns and problems that traditional glucose testing may miss.

Alerts
CGM allows you to set a target range for your desired glucose. When your glucose goes above or below this range, an alert automatically lets you know.

All day and night
A CGM device measures glucose levels throughout the day and night. This device provides many more measurements compared with traditional glucose monitoring in a each 24 hour period.

¹ Source: Garg et al. Improvement in Glycemic Excursions With a Transcutaneous, Real- Time Continuous Glucose Sensor.
Diabetes Care, January 2006.