What is the general opinion regarding CGMs, BG Meters and any which way comparisons?

[Gelphyn]

A search of DUK and this Forum in particular did not reveal what I am looking for, i.e., thoughts/comparisons between BG Meters and GSMs, and comparisons between different makes of GSMs. If you know differently please inform me.

I admit that about 10-12 years ago, and AFAIK not suffering from High Blood Sugar problems, a BGMeter was purchased along with all necessary items. I simply wanted to understand more about my body and it's state of fitness. The results of my learning were that either the Meter was not fit for purpose or I was rubbish at providing or 'collecting' samples. More recently I volunteered to take part in a survey relating to Covid-19 Antibodies, that following many unsuccessful attempts to 'draw' blood culminated in one so vigorous that several neighbouring patches were also soaked. So not wishing to to revisit a 'blotted copybook' I reviewed alternative means of BG monitoring by visiting any Diabetes Forum that could be readily found. Having just read a Post on the subject, the only memorable thing being 'Libre 2', very shortly afterwards a text was received informing that a Diabetes Monitor called Libre 2 was available on prescription from the NHS. The latter proved not to be the case for my situation, but after 6 or so various CGM reviews I returned to FreeStyle Libre 2 because they were offering 14 days Free Trial in the shape of a single Sensor that lasts 14 days. The appropriate App has been Downloaded ad Installed awaiting delivery of the Libre 2 Sensor. A No Brainer situation?.

I am aware of the ongoing costs involved with CGMs, but in my case I believe this is the best way to determine what foods present the biggest problems. If there unforeseen problems I may have to change course before investing any funds in the project.
Learning that Libre 3 has been available in Germany for approximately the last 2 months, with many improvements that include minute by minute automatic uploading to mobile phones, there would seem much to be looked forward to.

However other Manufactures are also moving forward so the ears and eyes of this Forum could help deliver the top solution to satisfy all Diabetes patients, regardless of the monitoring means.

Not beeping 100% settled on a solution I would appreciate input on BG Meters, like GCMs they are not all created equal and importantly costs need to be considered.

E.g., the Libre System, all [1; 2; 3:] apparently cost the same from the Manufacturer, are in the £100.00/month bracket when the Sensors are selectively purchased On-Line from Suppliers who may not be specialists. Bearing in mind this will not increase if the User wishes to capture every Before and After Event Result possible. Be aware that some CGMs are very expensive to operate, and I do not agree with the Libre Manufacturer that Sensor costs are widely manageable but are rather expensive.
I have no idea what the costs would be when a BG Meter and essential other items are used.

Input regarding real use costs of your system, BG or CGM, will be very much appreciated, including likes/dislikes/anything else that may be of interest to the Community, e.g., Free Trials, Offers, Cheapest availability and so on.

Thanks for your time reading this.

 

[rebrascora]

Your question seems quite complicated. All I can give you advice on is my experience of BG meters involving finger pricking and Libre 1 from a Type 1 diabetic perspective.
Libre is brilliant when it works but it isn't as reliable as we all would like and it doesn't totally replace a BG meter and it measures interstitial fluid rather than blood so there is about a 15min delay where it lags behind the blood reading. When your levels are stable the two should be pretty much the same but Libre often reads lower at low levels and higher at high levels. Sometimes it can be as much as 2mmols out and a finger prick may be necessary to determine a more accurate reading. Usually a few calibration checks in the first few days of the sensor will give you an idea of how accurate or otherwise it is. They can show very low readings during the night if you roll over onto the arm with the sensor as the compression affects the tissue surrounding the filament. For a Type 1 diabetic who needs to know if we are actually low and how low or high and how high, before we take hypo treatment or an insulin correction, a finger prick in these circumstances is recommended as the finger prick reading is considered to be more accurate. All that said, I absolutely love my Libre and it has revolutionized how I approach my diabetes management and definitely made life easier.

As regards BG meters, I have had Nexus Gluco RX and currently have a Caresens but both of these were provided on prescription. I would not want to self fund them as the test strips can be expensive. If I was self funding I would go with the Gluco Navii or the Spirit Healthcare Tee2. These are both recommended for reliability and economy of use by forum members here.

One of the NHS criteria for prescribing Libre sensors is if you need to test 8 or more times a day to manage your levels because that is the point at which it becomes cost effective to them but I believe the NHS have negotiated a discount on Libre and test strips for most prescribed meters run at about £15-£20 for a pot of 50, whereas the Gluco Navii is about £8.

If you have had problems getting a meter to work in the past, it may just be a question of not having developed a good technique and many people experience that at first but we can point you in the right direction for tips and tricks to get it right. That said there are some very cheap ones on the market which some members here have bought and found unreliable and sent back, so hard to tell without knowing more. It does sounds like it may be that your finger pricking technique needs work and some pointers from what you have mentioned.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I have no idea what the costs would be when a BG Meter and essential other items are used.

Fingerstick monitoring is generally more affordable than CGM, even if checking approx 6-8x a day.

The Gluco Navii and Spirit Tee 2 have pots of 50 strips for approx £8 which would be less than £36 for 28 days, vs just over £96 for 2 Libre sensors. You would have to get the reader on top of that, and perhaps some lancets (though I have always found the lancets in the box with a meter last years as they stay sharp and can be reused).

Other brands of meters have more expensive strips, but membets find those meters both affordable and reliable.