Top Suppliers for CGM

Living with diabetes can be hard enough. You shouldn’t have to worry about sticking yourself with needles multiple times a day. Instead, ask your doctor about Continuous Glucose Monitoring (or CGM). These systems are composed of a small sensor and transceiver device that constantly monitor your blood sugar levels. To learn more about how CGMs work and discover if it is right for you, read this article.

US Med has a number of CGM devices to sell, but you may still be confused about the different manufacturers. What are the top suppliers for CGM devices, you may be wondering? If this is the case continue reading; in this article we will discuss Dexcom, Abbott, and Eversense, the top suppliers for CGM.

What to look for in a CGM supplier

CGMs have only been on the market since 1999. The Medtronic MiniMed was the first CGM approved by the FDA. Since that time three other companies have entered the CGM market: Abbott, Dexcom, and Eversense. But, how do you choose between them?

Finding a CGM supplier with products that will work for you can be overwhelming. But, this article is here to help. Keep in mind the following factors when looking for a good CGM supplier.

1) No matter which supplier you choose, you will be receiving a good product. All of the products from these suppliers have been proven successful and have undergone rigorous testing prior to FDA approval.  The best CGM supplier is the one who makes a product that will work for you and your lifestyle. US MED’s available CGMs can be found here.
2) Is calibration required? Calibration is the process by which your CGM knows your unique blood glucose levels. When your CGM calibrates it takes fingerstick blood glucose readings at specified periods. These readings are then turned into a baseline calibration, which helps your CGM stay accurate. However, not all modern CGMs require calibration. So, if you do not want to worry about this step, we’d recommend purchasing the Freestyle Libre.
3) How long is the sensor life? Sensor life is another important factor to consider when looking for a CGM supplier. The longer the sensor’s life, the more time you have without changing it. Longer sensor life also saves you money because you do not have to purchase a new sensor too often.
4) Approved for what ages? Depending on who you are purchasing the CGM for, this can be a make-or-break category. If you have a child that needs a CGM, then you need to purchase from a supplier whose products are approved for young children. If you are purchasing the CGM for yourself or another adult, then your CGM supplier options are larger. All CGM suppliers’ products are approved for people at least 18 years old and up.
5) Cost? Cost is going to be an important consideration for anyone. The higher the cost, the harder it will be for some people to purchase from a CGM supplier. Also, keep in mind that not all insurance companies will cover CGMs from all suppliers. Make sure to check with your insurance company before making your purchase.

Top suppliers for CGM

Abbott

Abbott is the manufacturer of the Freestyle Libre 14-Day System and The FreeStyle Libre 2. The revolutionary FreeStyle 14-Day CGM was approved by the FDA in 2008. The Freestyle Libre was transformational for people with diabetes because it does not require fingerstick calibrations. In fact, the device cannot perform calibrations at all.

The Freestyle Libre has other important features that have put Abbott ahead of the competition as well. First, it stores a whopping ninety days of your blood glucose data. Second, the sensor lasts for fourteen days, which is a longer life than the Dexcom products. Finally, the Freestyle Libre is quite affordable and most often covered by insurance plans.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 was approved by the FDA in 2020 and is Abbott’s first CGM system approved for children as young as 4 years old. Looking for an in-depth comparison between both of Abbott’s FreeStyle CGM models? We’ve got you covered!

Dexcom

Dexcom was the second company to have its CGM approved by the FDA. The Dexcom CGM was approved in 2006. Now the supplier is on models G5 and G6. Clearly, Dexcom continues to improve and refine its offerings–you will never have to worry about Dexcom’s products being out-of-date.

Both the G5 and G6 are user-friendly and convenient. They are approved for ages two and up, which makes them a great option for families whose children are living with diabetes. The G5 requires fingerstick calibration twice daily; however, the G6 does not require any calibration. Unlike the Freestyle Libre, the G6 does have a calibration option. The sensor life of the G5 is seven to fourteen days, while the G6’s sensor life is ten days.

A definite bonus for the G6 is its increased compatibility with smart devices, including the Apple watch. See more app and device compatibility for the G6 CGM here.

Eversense
Eversense is the most recent CGM supplier to have a product approved by the FDA in 2018. It is an implantable CGM system, and so has a sensor life of three months. Their sensor life is much longer than any other CGM system on the market. And, the sensor itself is extremely tiny. You will never know that it is underneath your skin.

Additionally, the Eversense CGM system does not require fingerstick calibration. And, all of your blood glucose data is sent wirelessly every five minutes. Eversense’s CGM system takes all of the guesswork out of diabetes management.

Conclusion

Living with diabetes doesn’t need to be a chore. By finding a great CGM system from one of these suppliers, you can get accurate and life-saving glucose data easily. No longer do you have to rely on painful fingerstick pricks. Abbott, Dexcom, and Eversense have all created products on the cutting edge of technology to help make managing diabetes safer, more convenient, and pain-free.

Try one of the systems offered by US MED and feel the difference for yourself.