Choosing the Right “Diabetes Monitor” for You

Dexcom G7 applicator, sensor and iPhone showing a current glucose reading (smart devices sold separately).

The CGM Blog

You might be looking into “diabetes monitors” that monitor your glucose to help you manage diabetes, these include BGM or CGM systems. Learn which one may be right for you.

Individuals living with diabetes need to pay close attention to their blood sugar, or glucose levels as part of managing the condition. You may be familiar with the terms “diabetes monitor” or “blood sugar meter” which refer to what’s known as a glucose monitor, a device that allows you to see what your glucose level is in your body. There are three types of glucose monitors you can use to keep an eye on your glucose: blood glucose meters (BGMs), continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, and flash glucose monitoring (FGM) systems.

Diabetes Canada recommends that all individuals living with diabetes use glucose monitoring technology to assess how well their diabetes management plan is working and to detect and prevent hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar.¹ Understanding how glucose monitors work can help you make a more informed decision about which type of device might be best for you.

Choosing a “Diabetes Monitor” that Fits Your Lifestyle

It’s important to talk to your doctor and diabetes care team about glucose monitoring. They can guide your diabetes treatment plan and help determine what your glucose management goals should be. Managing your glucose is about ensuring that you feel your best as often as possible, limiting hypoglycemia, and working to reduce the risk of diabetes complications. In addition to discussing how glucose monitoring devices can support your diabetes management, it’s also a good idea to think about how they fit into your lifestyle—maybe you’re an avid traveller or someone who does demanding hands-on work; perhaps you’re managing a disability or other health challenges on top of diabetes.

Monitoring your glucose is a 24/7 job that can feel frustrating and overwhelming. Ideally, monitoring your glucose shouldn’t hold you back from enjoying meaningful activities and getting the most out of life. Consider choosing glucose monitoring technology that helps you improve your diabetes self-care routine while also supporting your mental and emotional well-being.

How Blood Glucose Meters Work

You may be most familiar with blood glucose meters (BGMs), also known as glucometers. This technology typically consists of a pocket-sized device you load with a disposable, single-use test strip. You need to prick your finger with a lancet—loaded into a separate lancing device—to draw a drop of blood that you then place on the end of the test strip. The test strip has a special enzyme on it called glucose oxidase. When blood touches this enzyme on the test strip, it creates a reaction that generates an electrical current. The meter reads the strength of this electrical current: the stronger the current, the more glucose in the blood.²

One of the challenges of using a BGM is that it can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. Here are just a few things to consider when using a BGM:

It takes time to wash your hands, prepare your BGM with a new test strip, and pick your finger, which can interrupt your day—especially when you need to test frequently.
You need to make sure that your test strips aren’t expired or damaged by high temperatures or moisture.3
To keep track of your glucose readings, you may have to manually write them down in a logbook (though some BGMs can display readings on mobile apps).
It’s likely that you’ll need to carry your BGM, logbook, and extra test strips and lancets with you everywhere you go.
If you’re planning to go on vacation, you also need to pack more test strips and lancets than you’ll use for your time away—and ensure that they are always with you in your carry-on luggage.

All of the steps required to use a BGM to monitor your glucose levels may make it less likely that you’ll test as often as you need to. Diabetes Canada suggests that individuals using insulin to treat diabetes test their glucose three times a day or more and that more frequent testing is typically needed to reduce hypoglycemia.¹ Studies have also shown that testing three or more times a day improves glucose control in individuals living with T2D who do not use insulin.¹

Even if you do test regularly, going through the process may be time-consuming and exhausting. Continuous glucose monitoring technology is another option for keeping an eye on your glucose levels that eliminates many of the challenges of using BGM.

How Continuous Glucose Monitoring Works

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems, also called real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) systems, provide greater insight into what’s happening with your glucose than a BGM. CGM systems are made up of a wearable sensor that’s inserted just below the skin. The sensor takes readings on a continuous basis and sends them to a display device, such as an app on your smartphone or a hand-held receiver.

How Do CGM Sensors Measure Glucose?

CGM systems measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid rather than your blood. Similar to BGMs, many CGM system sensors are coated in an enzyme that reacts to glucose in the interstitial fluid to create a measurable electric current. ^4,5 Interstitial fluid is the liquid that surrounds all the cells in the body. [1] It allows oxygen and nutrients, including glucose, from our blood to reach our cells so that they can function. ^5,6You can think of glucose molecules as cars and cells as houses. The bloodstream is like a major highway that allows glucose molecules (or the ‘cars’) to quickly move around the body. Interstitial fluid is like the small streets inside of a neighbourhood which allow cars to safely pull into driveways and garages.

Glucose levels change in the blood before they change in the interstitial fluid. It takes about five minutes for the glucose levels in the interstitial fluid to reflect the levels that are present in the blood. CGM systems like the Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7 CGM Systems can accurately measure the glucose levels in the interstitial fluid as it changes, eliminating the need for routine fingersticks.* With continuous glucose readings in the palm of your hand you don’t need to interrupt what you’re doing to stop and check your glucose levels, empowering you to take proactive action in the moment to stay in your target glucose range.

What is it Like to Wear a CGM System?

The design of the wearable sensor and transmitter can differ depending on the CGM system you choose. The Dexcom G7 CGM System has an all-in-one sensor and transmitter that’s attached to the body with a medical-grade adhesive. Dexcom G7 can be worn on the back of the arm or on the lower abdomen. Children ages two to six years can choose to wear it on their upper buttocks. You can wear the sensor for up to 10 days, plus a 12-hour grace period that gives you some extra time to swap out sensors. The Dexcom G7 sensor is painless to apply and it’s small, discreet, and comfortable enough that you might forget you’re wearing it. ^‡,6,7

The Dexcom G6 CGM System is the previous generation of Dexcom glucose monitoring technology. One of the main differences is that the sensor and transmitter are separate: the sensor is applied directly to the body and the transmitter clips onto the sensor. While the Dexcom G6 sensor needs to be changed every 10 days, the transmitter can be used for up to three months.

What are the Benefits of Continuous Glucose Readings?

Continuous readings give CGM systems, including Dexcom CGM Systems, enough data to provide real-time alerts that can let you know when important changes happen in your glucose, such as when you’re headed for a low. Additionally, you can connect Dexcom CGM Systems to the Dexcom Follow app which allows parents, family members, and caregivers to monitor glucose remotely on their own smart device.^†

Dexcom CGM Systems also connect to Dexcom Clarity, an app that allows you to seamlessly share your glucose data with your diabetes care team and view past glucose readings days, weeks, months, and even years into the past. With more glucose readings, Dexcom Clarity can provide insights into glucose trends over time to help you and your care team spot patterns and gain a deeper understanding of how well your diabetes management plan is working.

Diabetes Canada recommendations state that individuals living with T1D and those who experience hypo unawareness should use CGM to improve glucose control and prevent hypoglycemia. ^1,6,8Dexcom CGM Systems, including Dexcom G6 and Dexcom G7, are proven to help individuals lower their A1C, reduce hypoglycemia, and spend more time in their target glucose range (generally defined by Diabetes Canada as 3.9–10.0 mmol/L). ^9-15

Dexcom CGM Supports Everyday Diabetes Management

Finding the right glucose monitor can be life-changing. Dexcom Warrior Rana found that switching from a BGM to Dexcom CGM eliminated the need to wake up every three hours during the night to check her glucose, allowing her to get a better night’s sleep. “Using Dexcom CGM has really improved my lifestyle,” she says. “It has helped me reduce my stress and it has given me tremendous peace of mind.”

Using Dexcom CGM has also allowed Rana to experience more independence. She can go for long walks in her neighborhood or head out on a hike knowing she can view her glucose readings on her smartphone. With the intuitive visuals in the Dexcom app, Rana feels confident in understanding her glucose numbers and taking proactive action to stay within her target range.

Find Out if Dexcom CGM is the Right “Diabetes Monitor” for You

The right “diabetes monitor” or glucose monitor for you should help you achieve your diabetes management goals while supporting your overall well-being. Dexcom CGM can help you see how your glucose levels change in real time, without routine fingersticks.* Having better access to glucose data can help you and your doctor see what’s affecting your glucose levels and give you the opportunity to make more supportive diabetes management decisions. Using a Dexcom CGM System like Dexcom G7 can empower you to feel a little more confident managing your glucose so you can focus on doing what matters most to you every day.

Learn more about how Dexcom G7 works

* Routine fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
† Following requires the Dexcom Follow app and an Internet connection. Followers should always confirm readings on the Dexcom G7 app before making diabetes treatment decisions.
‡ Patients reported 94% of insertions were painless (mild, no pain).

1 Berard LD, et al. Diabetes Canada 2018 Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada: Monitoring Glycemic Control. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42 Suppl 1:S47-S53. doi:10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.007.
2 Diabetes Test Strips. Diabetes.co.uk. Updated October 29, 2023. Accessed December 15, 2023. https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes_care/diabetes-test-strips.html#google_vignette.
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12 Martens T, et al. Effect of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Glycemic Control in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Basal Insulin: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2021;325(22):2262-2272. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.7444.
13 Laffel LM, et al. Effect of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Glycemic Control in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2020;323(23):2388-2396. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.6940.
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