So how does a cgm work without actually drawing blood?
So how does a cgm work just being stuck on the arm? The really cool part is that the cgm is part of biotechnology. Maybe we can think of it as a medical enhancement that helps you know what is going on with your blood levels, and it is part of a process of you gaining more vital feedback from your body to help you make the best choices with the food you eat.
How does a cgm work?
The cgm is put on with an applicator. There is a strong adhesive to hold it in place for several days. Inside the cgm is a small input/output memory board with a battery and a transmitter to send the data to your phone. The small, flexible filament is placed in the arm fat where it measures the glucose levels from the tiny capillaries of blood vessels.
It's important to put the cgm on a part of your arm that won't get scraped off when you go around a wall. I usually put it on the back of my arm where the skin hangs down instead of on the side of the arm.
This is a cgm that has used up its two week life span. Some think there's a needle that stays in the skin, but that's not true.
The sensor is like a flexible data ribbon with small microchips on it. When it is first applied, it follows behind a needle to insert the filament.
The needle retracts and leaves the filament in the arm. So it's more like having a thread or small piece of string in the arm.
Once applied, the device takes about an hour to configure and start giving blood glucose readings.
This will help you stay within the boundaries of healthy glucose levels.
How does a cgm work and how do you put it on?
It's really important to prepare the arm to receive the device so it stays there the full two weeks without falling off. The adhesive on the device works really well as long as it can stick to new and clean skin. Remember, if you don't strip the extra layer of dead skin off with an alcohol wipe, the device may fall off with the dead skin in a few days.
Removing the cgm device from the box and preparing it to stick to your arm is really easy. It's natural to be nervous the first or second time, but it get's easier as time goes on. You will also learn to rely on the device to help you control your glucose levels.
I am using a Freestyle Libre 3. The application can be found in the Google Play Store and installed on your phone. One more thing, please make sure to enable Bluetooth devices on your phone. The device transmits through Bluetooth. Once you physically attach the cgm to your arm, you will need to launch the Freestyle Libre app.
I decided to create a video of how to properly remove the cgm device after it's two week service expires and it now needs to be pulled off and thrown away. The hardest part is cleaning the residue from your arm with alcohol. Also, I always like to alternate arms with each device. Just a preference here, but feel free to do as you wish.
I want to address some concerns that I've heard. Some people feel that they can't imagine wearing a device that has a needle sticking into the arm. They are afraid to bump it or even sleep on it to prevent it from driving further into the arm. Please understand that there is no needle.
Now let's install the Freestyle Libre 3 app on your phone. This is the Android app.
Lets click on your settings button.
Ok, good job there, now click on the connections tab.
We see that the Bluetooth button is turned off, but it needs to be turned on to receive data from the device.
Let's turn that Bluetooth button on by pressing on it. Once you turn it on, you won't have to keep doing it. The cgm will send constant signals to your phone. It will even store data for hours when the phone is out of range. Once your phone comes back within range, the data will catch up.
Next, you will go the Google Play store to download the app.
Open the Play store and type in the words "Freestyle libre 3". This will bring up the app so you can install it.
This will launch the Abbott program and the software app will load on your phone.
Next, you will see the window where the app needs to make contact with the device.
If you have installed the app on your phone before you put on the device on your arm, you will now prepare your arm and install the device also known as a sensor. You will need to touch the sensor with your phone and you will here loud beeps. From that point, the device will need an hour to start measuring your glucose levels.
This will be the start of a new world of information from your body. It is an excellent tool to help you control your blood glucose levels. If you have questions and want to know more about this cgm device, you can visit the Freestyle Libre 3 website.