Colette Morris has found a revolutionary solution to her diabetes struggle – a monitor on her arm. This constant data feed to her mobile phone offers insights into the foods and stresses that affect her blood sugar levels.
However, not everyone is on board with this technology. While Morris has found success with it, some of her siblings who also have diabetes are not fans of the sensors and false alarms that come with them.
For individuals like Morris’ siblings, the traditional finger-stick tests continue to work well. Despite the availability of high-tech monitoring, they are able to maintain safe A1C blood sugar levels without needing to know their blood sugar levels every hour.
The market for continuous glucose monitors has seen a rapid increase, yet there is limited data demonstrating their value, given the significant investment required to use them.
Thankfully, HealthPartners has stepped in to address this uncertainty, launching a groundbreaking real-world clinical trial to compare the effectiveness of monitors to traditional blood tests in managing diabetes.
This head-to-head study, involving over 300 Minnesotans, has recently received additional funding to expand its scope.
With the evolution of glucose monitors that transmit blood sugar readings to mobile devices, the primary question remains – does continuous blood sugar data lead to better diabetes management and prevention of complications?
Regardless of the means, monitoring blood sugar is critical for individuals with diabetes to avoid hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, which have immediate and long-term consequences.
This economic question is significant, considering that type 2 diabetes has become a $5 billion problem for Minnesota, affecting both medical costs and worker productivity.
Dr. Thomas Martens, a leader of the study, emphasizes the importance of using glucose data to enhance diabetes management, especially given the financial burden faced by many Americans in affording their diabetes care.
Speaking of financial burden, costs for insulin have soared, making it challenging for many individuals to manage their diabetes effectively.
For Morris, a consultant for the study, the continuous glucose monitor has been an enlightening tool in understanding how various factors influence her blood sugar levels over her 18-year journey with diabetes.
Her experiences with diabetes have led her to discover unique ways to manage her blood sugar levels, including keeping Swedish Fish in her coat pockets to quickly raise her blood sugar when needed.
