If you or someone you love is diabetic, you are likely aware of the significant health issues that can result from blood glucose levels being too high or too low—from periodic bouts of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) that make you feel weak or light-headed (yet can lead to diabetic coma, a life-threatening crisis) to long-term issues such as diabetic retinopathy that can cause blindness and higher risk for strokes.
And we know that to avoid these peaks and valleys, diabetics have traditionally used fingersticks to monitor their blood glucose at various times of the day.
What you may not know, however, is that there is a better way to more precisely manage diabetes. In contrast to fingersticks, which give a snapshot of glucose levels at the moment of the testing, there is now a way to monitor your glucose continuously to facilitate much better glucose management.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) gives you a complete picture of your glucose levels and provides you with trends, so you can make more informed diabetes management decisions, and it is so easy to use.
A new CGM product that has diabetics raving is The FreeStyle Libre 3 System from Abbott Laboratories. It is FDA approved for adults and children (4 years old and up
With the FreeStyle Libre 3 System, you simply apply a thin adhesive-backed sensor (the smallest currently on the market) to the back of your upper arm so the sensor can continuously measure your real-time glucose readings, which are displayed on your smartphone. The sensor stays on for up to 14 days, and showers or swimming are no problem.
In addition to real-time glucose readings, the app allows you to view your previous glucose readings, reports, and trends anytime, anywhere. The app also allows you to share your readings, which is ideal for parents with diabetic children or to share with your doctor.
While it is advised that users of a CGM still use a fingerstick occasionally if you feel “off” or suspect a reading is not right based on how you feel, you will also want to verify readings with a fingerstick when the optional alert tells you that your glucose level has just gone too high or too low.
The Freestyle Libre 3 system is available only through medical supply providers, not pharmacies. For most patients, the System is covered by Medicaid and Medicare; and the System sensors usually cost no more than $40 per month for those with private insurance.
At Mid-Atlantic, we take care of the insurance billing for you, so monitoring your glucose level has never been so easy and the supplies are sent discreetly right to your home…just as we do for incontinence products.
For more information about the new Freestyle Libre 3 system, or any other medical supply products and equipment, please contact our customer service team and we will be happy to help answer questions.
To read about the research and studies related to the Freestyle Libre 3 System or to see videos of patients and what they have to say about CGM, visit Abbott Laboratories’ website.
Gift Ideas for Diabetics
Mid-Atlantic offers diabetics a variety of products, from syringes to these handy organizer/travel packs. Check out these and more products in our online store.
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