PADIGAR TANTRY, MD Hope Health
In the United States, 34.2 million adults, or approximately 11.3% of the population, have diabetes.
Insulin is a key hormone involved in diabetes as it helps the body regulate blood sugar levels.
In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin. In type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, the body produces insulin but cannot use it effectively.
Many people with diabetes require regular insulin injections to keep blood sugar levels stable. By tracking blood sugar levels, diabetics can determine how much insulin their body needs and when they need it.
Insulin was invented nearly 100 years ago, and the technology to combat diabetes and its complications has evolved rapidly since then.
In 1965, Ames developed the first blood glucose test strip. While other options like blood glucose meters have been around since 1970, the continuous glucose meter (CGM), which received FDA approval in 1999, is a key to personalized care and the ability to make diabetes more personal to the individual patient. Designed to give you a complete picture of your impact.
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CGM is a small wearable tool that helps track blood sugar levels. It consists of a sensor, usually placed just under the skin on the abdomen or arm, and connected to a transmitter.
The sensor measures glucose levels in bodily fluids under the skin and sends the information to an app on your phone or another handheld reader. This technology allows you to read your blood sugar level every few minutes, 24 hours a day. Blood glucose readings can be plotted on a graph where you can see your current blood glucose levels and trends. The CGM checks levels on a fairly constant basis and in most cases should be changed every 7-14 days in exchange for a new monitor.
These continuous glucose level readings are very useful in knowing how factors such as medications, certain foods, exercise and stress affect your daily glucose levels. Every patient is different, so getting detailed measurements can help determine which factors specifically affect blood sugar levels. You can also change your diabetes regimen accordingly. Some of the newer CGMs also include alarms that let you know when your sugar levels are high or low. This feature has proven advantageous in alerting patients to spikes and dips. You can also share CGM data with your family. Families can predict and manage dangerous highs and lows to keep them within target ranges.
Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes benefit greatly from CGM with improved glucose control, quality of life, and overall health outcomes. For type 2 diabetics, CGM is most helpful for those receiving multiple daily insulin injections and those at risk of low sugar. CGMs currently on the market include Freestyle Libre 2 & 3, Dexcom G6, Guardian Sensors, and Eversense. Choosing a continuous blood glucose meter depends on your preferences, ease of use, and insurance coverage.
Choosing the best method for monitoring your glucose levels is a personal decision. For more information on continuous glucose monitors and whether they are right for you, contact HopeHealth’s Diabetes Nutrition Institute at (843) 667-9414. Call us to become a patient or visit us online at hope-health.org.
Dr. Tantry serves endocrinology patients at HopeHealth Medical Plaza in Florence. He received his doctorate from the Tbilisi State Medical University in Tbilisi, Georgia. He completed an internal medicine residency at his Consortium of USF Morsani School of Medicine/HCA West in Brandon, Florida, and an Endocrinology Fellowship at his USF Morsani School of Medicine in Tampa, Florida. A board-certified physician in internal medicine, Dr. Tantri speaks English, Hindi, Oriya and Kannada.
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