The Best Continuous Glucose Monitors
WIRED November 27, 2023
Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, are an excellent way for people with diabetes or prediabetes to manage their condition. We tested some of the leading models to see which is best for you.
AFTER MY A1C test revealed prediabetes, I was determined to take steps to avoid the damaging effects of high blood sugar, including kidney disease, heart disease, and vision loss. I was unsure what to do, since I’m average weight, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. I didn’t want to randomly experiment, then wait for my next A1C test to reveal whether my actions had made a difference. I needed to know how my behavior impacted my blood sugar.
Luckily, this information is provided by a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a quarter-sized disk worn on the back of the upper arm. CGMs are only approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use by people with diabetes, and they require a prescription to purchase. While Medicare and most insurance programs won’t cover CGMs for people with prediabetes, some experts say CGMs are helpful for those at risk of diabetes. Eugene E. Wright, Jr., a doctor and medical director of performance improvement at the South Piedmont Area Health Education Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, agrees. “CGMs are very useful for people with prediabetes, since diabetes complications can be reduced with early diagnosis and treatment,” he says. He adds that “research shows the benefits of early and aggressive treatment can last for 40-plus years.”
I selected four CGMs that are widely available, reasonably priced, easily applied, and use a smart phone as a transmitter: Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2, Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3, Dexcom G-7, and Nutrisense.
