Doctor checking Dexcom sensor on Keary and Zola's arms - Use overpatch as instructed.

Diabetes discussions: better doctors appointments with Dexcom Clarity

What is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology and how does it help people with diabetes manage their glucose levels?

Dr. Bogdanovics and Dexcom Warrior Keary discuss their experiences living with diabetes and how CGM feels like putting on glasses for the first time. Compared with using fingersticks and a traditional blood glucose meter, Keary shares “it’s like you see a whole new world, you’re taking in so much detail, so much information.”

The ability to see real-time data and trends isn’t only beneficial for people with diabetes, but also for their care teams. Dr. Bogdanovics, a practicing endocrinologist said, “It really doesn’t give us a lot of information when somebody comes into the office with just a hemoglobin A1C. But when they come in with a Dexcom CGM report, I can see how much time is spent low, how much time is spent high, how much time is spent in that target range. It’s a whole lot better.”

Watch the video to learn more about the benefits of CGM or read the discussion below.

The views expressed in this conversation are the speakers’ own and are not intended to be medical advice. Please consult your provider regarding your individual health needs. Keary and Dr. Bogdanovics are paid spokespersons of Dexcom, Inc

Video Transcript

Keary: I’m Keary and I have had Type 1 diabetes for seven years. I’m also a mom to a daughter with Type 1 diabetes who has also been diagnosed for seven years.

Dr. Bogdanovics: Do you use a continuous glucose monitor?

Keary: I do. We’ve been using Dexcom CGM for almost the entire time we’ve been diagnosed. And it has been an absolute game-changer. As a mom to a daughter^† with Type 1, it’s really allowed me to give her freedom and independence as she feels ready for it.

Dr. Bogdanovics: It certainly has been a game-changer.

Keary: Yes. How has it been a game-changer for you?

Dr. Bogdanovics: I’ve had diabetes for a long time.

Keary: Longer than me.

Dr. Bogdanovics: In those days, we had insulins that maybe weren’t as good as today. But the biggest problem was lows. Waking up in an emergency room low, and that’s pretty stressful for everybody. Parents, spouses, kids. It improved life for everybody, not just me.

Keary: It really does. I feel like it has made the whole journey feel easier.

Dr. Bogdanovics: What do you like about your CGM? I mean, what information do you get from it when you’re checking it yourself?

Keary: I feel like it’s allowed me to do diabetes in the best way possible. I feel like it’s giving me so much information to make really informed decisions ^‡ on how I manage, how I exercise, how I eat, how I sleep. And have the best health possible and set my daughter up for the same thing.

Dr. Bogdanovics: Do you usually talk about your Clarity ^§ report when you see other doctors?

Keary: I feel like it makes our time really efficient. They’re not asking, “So what are your numbers like?” They can pull everything up and see everything right there ^¶. And I feel like just helps us to be on the same page, moving towards the same goals.

Dr. Bogdanovics: I like to have my patients check their Clarity ^§ at least once a week. Prior to them coming in, I usually pull up their reports. The visit is so much more effective. And time and range has been something that we’re changing to following medicine. So it really doesn’t give us a lot of information when somebody comes into the office with just a hemoglobin A1C. But when they come in with a Dexcom CGM report, I can see how much time is spent low ^||. How much time is spent high. How much time is in that target range. It’s a whole lot better.

Keary: The way I explain it is, you don’t have CGM and it’s like you’re walking around and you don’t have the best vision. And you’re not wearing glasses, and everything is foggy and blurry. And then you introduce CGM, and you put those glasses on. It’s like you see a whole new world. You’re taking in so much detail, so much information. And that information allows you to make more informed decisions on management ^‡.

Dr. Bogdanovics: I like that. Yeah, it really is. You’re in the fog when you’re just doing a couple of finger sticks a day.

Keary: Absolutely.

Dr. Bogdanovics: When patients come in with an Ambulatory Glucose Profile or AGP that I can look at even that morning by Clarity, it just makes the visit so much more productive and efficient. In the old days, I’d look at an A1C, I wouldn’t know what to do. Now I can actually look at trends. I can look at overall range. It makes your visit more productive. As opposed to just staring at a couple of fingersticks on a bloody logbook. And a hemoglobin A1C in the lab reports. Keary, it’s so nice to meet you. Thanks for coming by and best of luck for you and Zola.

*Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.

Keary: Thank you for chatting. I really appreciate your perspective and experience and just this time that we’ve had together.

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Keary and Dr. Bogdanovics are paid spokespersons of Dexcom, Inc. ^†Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring system is indicated for people with diabetes ages two years and older. ^‡Arrow must be displayed with glucose number to make treatment decisions. ^§An internet connection is required for users to send their glucose data to Dexcom Clarity via a compatible smart device: dexcom.com/compatibility. Healthcare providers will only be able to view a user’s glucose data if the user elects to share it with them through Dexcom Clarity. ^||Battelino T, et al. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(8):1593-1603. ^¶Compatible smart device sold separately. To view a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom.com/compatibility.

BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and its components according to the instructions for use provided with your device and available at https://www.dexcom.com/safety-information and to properly consider all indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and cautions in those instructions for use may result in you missing a severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) occurrence and/or making a treatment decision that may result in injury. If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.