Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) Tracks Glucose Levels

The Center for Endocrinology at Mercy in Baltimore utilizes continuous glucose monitoring to help patients manage Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Mercy Medical Center’s expert team of endocrinologists is joined by certified diabetes educators to help patients monitor their blood sugar levels and develop a diabetes management plan.

What is Continuous Glucose Monitoring?

A Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) records blood sugar levels throughout the day. The CGMS shows a person with diabetes exactly what their blood sugar levels are between fingersticks. Data is collected for at least three consecutive days and downloaded to an external computer for analysis.

The detailed computer graph shows patients with diabetes what really happens to their blood sugar levels during sleep, exercise or when taking medication. The CGMS can take 288 blood sugar readings a day by monitoring levels every 11 seconds and averaging them every five minutes. The continuous glucose monitoring system is approved by the FDA.

How is Continuous Glucose Monitoring performed?

The continuous glucose monitoring system is performed by:

• Inserting a tiny sensor just beneath the skin of the abdomen.
• Connecting the sensor to a small, handheld monitoring device. The monitor can be worn up to 72 hours. The CGMS can record a blood sugar measurement every five minutes.
• Entering fingerstick blood sugar readings into the monitor for calibration.
• Entering a diary of food eaten and medication taken into the monitor.
• Pushing simple buttons on the monitor to enter the time of meals, exercise or any other events that should be remembered.
• Removing the sensor at the end of day three and downloading the data. The data is graphed to show patients a complete look at sugar levels and identify areas of improvement.

When is Continuous Glucose Monitoring the best option?

Endocrinologists specializing in diabetes may recommend continuous glucose monitoring for people diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Monitoring blood sugar levels is one step in developing an appropriate diabetes management plan to keep blood sugar at a normal level.