Please remember all changes in insulin regimens must be discussed with your diabetes team first!!!  Below is information to assist you in being more informed when speaking with them.

What is the difference between testing and using a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

Glucometers are portable devices that read glucose levels from a blood sample that is placed on a tiny test strip. Test strips are discarded after a single use.  Some meters store a limited number of glucose results in memory. The results can be downloaded into a computer.

A glucose sensor is a tiny electrode that is inserted under a patient’s skin (subcutaneous tissue) and continuously records glucose levels around the clock. The sensor is worn for up to three days before it is discarded and replaced by the patient.  Glucose readings are transmitted to a monitor or insulin pump
where the values are displayed. Trend reports and charts can
be viewed after data is downloaded to a computer.

posted with permission from 2006 Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.

DexCom Seven

NEW! The DexCom Seven PLUS

It’s wireless, water-resistant, easy to use, with a seven day sensor. It has the smallest and lightest Sensor and Transmitter Pod available. Enter activities and events that may impact your diabetes management (like insulin dosing, exercise, food intake, etc.) to help you improve your control over time.  Accuracy in the "hypo-zone" sets the PLUS apart from the competition. Plus, the SEVEN's built-in Hypo-Safety-ALARM gives you a second level of awareness that no other brand offers. This fixed ALARM lets you know if your glucose levels are at, or below, 55 mg/dL, and cannot be turned off.  Customizable alerts and re-alerts. Largest available widescreen display with easy-to-read glucose trends. Home Screen shows your 3-hour trend, trend-arrow, and current glucose value, so you can have a complete look at your glucose at a glance. Calibrate at any time with your favorite glucose meter. Rechargeable Receiver and built-in Transmitter power.   Available in the US. Awaiting Health Canada approval for sale in Canada.

Navigator®

The FreeStyle Navigator® has a 3"x2.5" monitor, 1"x2"transmitter/sensor, and each sensor is to last 5 days.  Sensors have a 5mm cannula with 21 gauge sensor probe and are inserted at 90 degrees with an automatic insertion device. Start-up initialization time is 10 hours. Calibration takes place at 10, 12, 24 and 72 hours and then no calibration for the final 2 days of the 5 day wear. User set alarms on high/low. Alarms are based on Vector Technology that will alarm 10 or 30 minutes ahead of when it thinks you well reach that number. 10, 20 or 30 minute predictive low/high alarms. Displays glucose readings every 1-2 minutes. 5 TRU® Directional Glucose Arrows indicating rate and direction of change.  Review glucose data over the past 24 hours. Set to alarm or vibrate. Waterproof for 3 feet up to 30 minutes. Transmitter batteries are watch batteries that should be changed monthly. The monitor uses 2 AAA batteries.  10 foot range with snooze alarm and 1 hour silence.  Uses a built in Freestyle monitor. Has Precision Link Diabetes Data Management Software®.  Accuracy: Consensus Error Grid:  85.5%A , 99.1% A+B Clarke Error Grid compared to YSI:  81.7% A, 98.4% A+B Mean ARD 12.8% Median ARD 9.3%

Available in the US

MiniMed Paradigm® REAL-Time System

The Real Time System weighs 4oz, uses the Paradigm 522/722 screen, and transmitter/sensor size is 2"x1.5"/.75" diameter. Sensors last 3 days and have a 14mm cannula with 23 gauge sensor probe which is inserted at 45 degrees with a Sens-serter or manually. Start-up initialization time is 2 hours. Calibration is 2 hours after insertion, within the next 6 hours after the first and then every 12 hours.  An alarm will sound if calibration does not take place. Predictive alarms for high/low at 10, 20 or 30 minutes. Displays glucose numbers every 5 minutes. Displays directional graphs for 3 and 24 hours. Displays rate of change. Review glucose data for the last 24 hours. Will vibrate, use and escalating alarm or both.  Transmitter is waterproof but not recommended for use in hot water. Transmitter batteries last 9 months. The monitor uses 1AAA battery. Has a 6 foot range. Snooze alarms at both the high and low alarm settings. Uses Medtronic Carelink Online software. 6 month waranty on transmitter. Real-Time accuracy: MARE:16.59%-24.84% Clarke Error grid -96% in A+B and 61.7% in A.  MARD (mean) -17.32% MARD (median) -12%. 

Available in the US and Canada

Information from www.diabetesnet.com , www.medtronic.com, www.diabeteshealth.com

 Taken in part from http://www.diabeteshealth.com/media/pdfs/PRG1208/DH_CGMs_08-09.pdf

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