We laid out the need for continuous tight diabetic control both before and subsequent to going on dialysis in previous blogs. While a pain in the rear, it is something that diabetics in general, and those with DKD (Diabetic Kidney Disease) MUST deal with.
In general, there are two ways to ascertain one’s degree of diabetic control, either via pricking the skin, gathering a blood sample with a test strip, and reading the resulting glucose with a device. Of course you could go to a lab, have blood drawn, and receive standardized results in a few days.
The second and more recent methodology is via a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor.) Yesterday I blogged about a third emerging methodology embedded in watches. I am currently using the Libre 3 Freestyle by Abbott and a watch. It is a follow on to their Libre 2 system which I also used for three months and is a vast improvement in many ways. BTW, Libre comes from the Latin word līber, via the French and Spanish libre; it shares that root with liberty. It denotes “the state of being free”, in the sense of “having freedom” or “liberty”. I’m certain in a marketing sense the word Libre somehow applies herein.
The Libre 3 system is more accurate, does not require an external reader, has an improved app, provides more or less continuous readings, and also provides a form of A1c readings named GMI (Glucose Management Indicator in mmol/mol%) as compared to its predecessor. It is night and day superior to finger pricks. While this is not a sales pitch for this system, it should be recognized that there are several competing products available; I’m just hands-on with the Libre. A quick Google will extoll its virtues for those interested.
Following are some screenshots of what I consider to be useful from Libre3. I use it daily, probably at least six times a day to check my glucose levels. It is often surprising how the body reacts from a glucose viewpoint to the intake of food and beverages and exercise. Just getting up in the morning results in a rising glucose level. It should also be noted that I pay for the Libre 3 system out-of-pocket. Since I take insulin only once a day, currently 8 units of Lantus, I am not eligible for ANY insurance support be it Medicare, Tricare For Life, or VA. It is costing me roughly $210/month for two senders which last 14 days per sender. To me it is more than worth the cost.
