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- Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are small, wearable devices that continuously measure a person’s blood-glucose levels
- Largely used in place of traditional glucose meters and regular finger sticks
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- A sensor just under the skin measures the tissue-glucose levels in real time; CGMs are mostly worn on the upper arm or abdomen
- The levels are then relayed to a receiver, smartphone or watch, or insulin pump which displays the readings
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- Fewer finger sticks
- Shows where your glucose is NOW and where it is trending
- Alerts you when your blood sugar is too low and too high
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- You need to wear the CGM all the time (24/7) to get the most benefit
- Glucose readings are available all the time—this can be overwhelming for some people
- They provide more glucose data to share with healthcare providers and family members
CGM Systems Approved in the United States
| Abbott FreeStyle® Libre 2 | Dexcom G6® | Medtronic Guardian™ Connect | Senseonics Eversense® | |
| Ages | 4+ | 2+ | 2+ | 18+ |
| How Does It Attach to the Body? | Sensor is inserted in 1 step, and integrated adhesive holds it in place | Sensor is inserted in 1 step, the transmitter is attached to the sensor, and integrated adhesive holds the sensor and transmitter in place | Sensor is inserted with the use of a Medtronic one-press insertion aid, then the sensor and transmitter are held in place by an outer adhesive | Sensor needs to be inserted by a health care provider, then the transmitter sits outside the body and is held in place by an adhesive |
| Location | Back of arm | Abdomen, arm, or upper buttocks | Abdomen, back, or arm (14+) | Upper arm |
| Automatic Reading | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| How Do I View Data? | Reader or Smartphone (LibreLink app for iOS or Android or FreeStyle Libre 2 app for iOS) | Smartphone (Dexcom CLARITY for iOS or Android), smartwatch, or receiver | Smartphone (Guardian Connect app for iOS or Android) | Smartphone (Eversense Mobile app for iOS or Android) |
| Alerts | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| How Do I Share Data with Family Members? | LibreLinkUp app | Dexcom G6 app | CareLink website | Eversense NOW app |
| How Many Fingersticks to Calibrate? | None | None | 2 per day | 2 per day |
| How Long is the Sensor Used? | 14 days | 10 days | 7 days | 90 days |
| Automated Insulin Delivery and/or Insulin Pump? | No | Tandem t:slim X2™ or Omnipod DASH® | MiniMed™ 770G or 630G | No |
Getting a CGM
If you think a CGM might be right for you, consult with your physician. Visit DiabetesWise.org for information about:
- Other people’s experiences using each type of CGM
- Key questions to ask your diabetes care team
- Support resources
Consult JDRF’s Health Insurance Guide to learn about insurance coverage of CGMs.
Download JDRF’s CGM Fact Sheet [PDF] to compare the different FDA-approved CGMs.
Other Resources
Learn more about the FreeStyle Libre 2, and read the story of Hannah M., a graduate student who has been using CGM technology since elementary school but now uses a FreeStyle Libre 2.
Consult other JDRF and Med-IQ T1D resources for healthcare professionals.
Original content developed by Med-IQ in collaboration with JDRF.
Content developed by JDRF with financial support from Abbott, the makers of FreeStyle Libre 2.
