New device to get episodes of low blood sugar
Posted on: 22/Sep/2016 9:43:05 AM
Researchers from the University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden, have developed a new flash blood sugar monitoring system cuts down on episodes of low blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes. The new Freestyle Libre sensor, a small device thats worn on the upper arm, automatically checks blood sugar every 15 minutes and stores the information. A separate reader device, when held close to the sensor, can display current glucose level, glucose readings over the past 8 hours, and whether glucose has been rising or falling. This can be repeated as often as desired.
Speaking about this, the researchers said, Patients marked increase in self-monitoring frequency after they started using the Freestyle Libre device resulted in an almost immediate reduction in hypoglycemia both during day- and night-time. We think these improvements resulted from increased attention to blood glucose levels. For many individuals, hypoglycemia is a barrier to optimum glucose control.
Novel sensor-based systems to monitor glucose hold great promise as an effective alternative to conventional self-monitoring of blood glucose. My guess is that this type of device will replace conventional self-monitoring of capillary blood glucose in subjects with insulin-treated diabetes in the near future. For those who are very well controlled, wearing Libre reduces hypoglycemia and promotes frequent glucose monitoring. The device tends to be nearly cost neutral this is great benefit driving adoption even if not reimbursed.
