GP Dr Ashrafi said monitoring tools are important in diabetes care. (Image: Babak Ashrafi/Getty)
The technology available on the NHS to help patients manage diabetes has changed dramatically over the last decade. For many, the hassle of regular finger-prick tests has been replaced by glucose monitors that take continuous readings, offering a more detailed picture. Dr Babak Ashrafi, a GP with Superdrug Online Doctor, said blood sugar monitoring is “one of the most important tools in diabetes care because it helps people understand how well their condition is being controlled over time”.
He added: “Monitoring can be carried out through finger-prick testing, HbA1c blood tests or newer technologies such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). We often see people looking for greater insight into their diabetes management, and understanding blood sugar levels is a key part of that. By tracking glucose levels, people can better understand how factors such as food, exercise, medication and illness affect their diabetes and work with healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about their treatment.”
Here, Dr Ashrafi answers some common questions about technology to monitor blood sugar.
What are continuous glucose monitors?
CGMs have been rolled out on the NHS in recent years, with many patients opting for this more convenient method of tracking blood sugar.
Dr Ashrafi said: “CGMs are small wearable devices that track glucose levels throughout the day and night. Rather than relying only on occasional finger-prick checks, CGMs provide ongoing readings and can alert users when their glucose is rising or falling.
“This can be particularly helpful for reducing the risk of hypos, as people may be warned before their blood sugar drops too low.”
NHS guidance says CGMs can help people manage blood glucose levels, while Diabetes UK notes they can be used to check sugar levels during the day and night.
What are the advantages of CGMs over finger-prick tests?
Dr Ashrafi said: “Finger-prick tests remain an important tool in diabetes management, but they only provide a snapshot of blood glucose levels at a single point in time. CGMs offer a much broader picture by showing trends and patterns over hours and days.
“However, longer-term measures such as HbA1c testing remain important too, as they help provide an overview of average blood sugar control over several months.
“Together, these tools can help people build a more complete understanding of their diabetes.”
Users can view data from CGMs on a smartphone (Image: Getty)
What are some of the latest features offered by CGMs?
CGM technology is becoming increasingly advanced, Dr Ashrafi said. He added: “Many devices now offer phone connectivity, trend arrows, alerts for high and low glucose, data-sharing with healthcare teams or family members, and insights into overnight patterns.
“Some newer systems are also beginning to use predictive technology to warn users about potential glucose changes before they happen, which may be especially useful overnight.”
The Express recently spoke to one of the first patients to try a new CGM that uses artificial intelligence to forecast glucose levels over the next 30 minutes, two hours and overnight.
How can people find out more about CGMs?
Dr Ashrafi said: “Anyone interested in using a continuous glucose monitor should speak with their GP or diabetes specialist team, as eligibility for NHS-funded CGMs depends on individual circumstances.
“For those looking to better understand their blood sugar levels, Superdrug Online Doctor offers at-home HbA1c diabetes tests, which measure average blood glucose levels over the previous two to three months.
“These can be a useful way to monitor diabetes control and support conversations with healthcare professionals about ongoing management.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
