This past year I was diagnosed as "pre-diabetic". I browbeat my primary care provider into a prescription for a CGM. It has been one of the most valuable tools in my toolkit to get my blood sugar down. I am now officially no longer "pre-diabetic". I still have more to go as my average glucose is 94, and I want to get it down to the mid-80's. The FDA is making a huge mistake by restricting prescriptions to "full diabetics". Why wait until the physiological damage is done?? A CGM and recommendation for keto or carnivore diet would drastically decrease the cost of health care in the long term.
It really doesnt make sense. You would think the CGM makers would be pounding the doors down wanting more sales and no doubt they would get them too if it was allowed. Why regular people cant get them is insane. Imagine if only those with high blood pressure could buy a BP Monitor?
I have hear rumors about the FDA removing the requirement for the Rx … I really hope they are true. The more people who see this “lightbulb moment” the healthier our whole country would be
I use mine as a weapon in battle. Glucose feeds cancer and I am wearing mine especially during chemotherapy to withhold dietary sugars and pairing therapeutic ketosis with my infusions 😊👍
This was the primary driver for me to get a CGM. My current chemo treatment is driving up my BG readings from day one. I went from a fasting BG of 89 and an A1C of 6.0 in February (not great, but Ok) to my current A1C of 8.9. I had to say something to my PCP every time I saw him and he blew me off. It took saying it to my onco team week after week for them to send a referral to diabetes treatment to get him to send prescription for CGM. I still haven't gotten any other treatment feedlot asking. After my last treatment (1st with CGM) my BG went from 180 to over 500. It stayed over the 350 threshold for almost 12 hrs despite fasting. I am not sure what will kill me first, the cancer or the diabetes. I keep working on getting as close to zero carb as possible and hope that will help both.
I saw your original video on this. A couple weeks later I went with my diabetic, non insulin dependent husband to his doctors visit. The doctor had just finished wearing hers for ten days. She had gotten it as a sample. She gave him a simple monitor to wear for ten days. I do not remember him doing a 12 hour wait to set the monitor. Anyway it was very helpful for him. He got to see how much snacks spiked his sugar, also ice cream. He has cut out snacks but still eats ice cream. I can only do so much to support his diet. 🤷🏼♀️
@Sufficient4UsIsAllah well, I grew up in a family of alcoholics. Most of them got sober along the way. Being a Child of Alcoholics is also a thing and in fact AlAnon is a group that supports them. AlAnon and Alcoholics Anonymous are based on The 12 Steps to find recovery. 12 Steps talk a lot about consequences for one’s actions and setting boundaries. It’s important to set your own boundaries with the people you care about. That boundary can be to not take someone’s actions personally. Their actions are their own choices. They are adults and they don’t usually make choices to hurt others. Don’t let their choices hurt you. That’s your choice. AlAnon is a great place to learn about this. The meetings, both virtual and in person are no charge. They are also nice and understand if you say, I don’t feel comfortable talking right now. One more point, not all alcoholics drink alcohol. They are called dry drunks and are often in more denial than the “wet” ones. By your question I can tell you are a very caring sibling. Take care of yourself too.
One of the best things I did for my health this past year is the CGM. It lets me see what foods, lack of rest, infections, and stress will do to my glucose levels. Expensive, but worth it. Thank you, Dr. Boz for opportunity.
I just bought keto-mojo, maybe I’ll get CGM at next stage. Seeing the numbers is a game changer. Brought me to new level. I am rewatching Dr Boz videos now with fresh eyes now I have numbers and can relate to them with personal experience. 🤩
Love my Freestyle Libre 3 for $75 per month as a Type 2 Diabetic. No insulin or other Diabetic meds other than gabapentin and lowest dose statin. Cgm has kept me accountable with great labs including a1c around 5.2 for past 3 years.
I don’t need a prescription in Canada. I just go to the pharmacy and buy a continuous monitor that is good for two weeks for $100 cdn. Freestyle Libre. I don’t need a doctor’s permission to monitor my blood glucose levels in Canada.
Even in Indonesia, the country considered as 3rd world country, I can go to online shopping, buy Libre for US$ 60, delivered right to my door. No prescription needed as well. I never knew it needs prescription in the States
@@fradesjo I think Americans can too but in order for insurance to cover the cost the physician has to order it. It doesn’t make sense that you and I can just go to a pharmacy and buy it without a Rx
@@robertlyons991insurance isn’t going to cover it unless you’re diabetic. Supposed to be available without rx now, but the only way I could see to get it was online from the company. They want to see whose buying I guess.
I, too, was fascinated by the way my eating was affecting the spikes. I spent a good amount of time analyzing the data. I have been wearing mine for several months now and still amazed at my CGM. I have learned so much on how my body and glucose are affected by different kinds of food and how long it takes to recover. REAL eye opener!!
I'm an insulin dependent diabetic. I use the Libre 3. I put the next sensor on my other arm 12 hours before my current sensor expires, once it expires, I scan the new sensor. This makes my new sensor already seasoned and my readings have been more accurate. Since March 2024, I've dropped from 58 units of long acting insulin to 36 units. My short acting insulin has dropped too. I've lost 15 lbs. It's been easier because I can see what spikes my levels and adjust. It's a game changer for me! I'm currently 95% in range and my A1C is 5.9... lower than it's been in many years! I've been diabetic for more than 40 years, diagnosed at 16 years old. It took a long time for me to agree to putting "spy wear" on my body, but I don't look at it that way anymore! I talked my brother into using one and he loves it too. We have contests on who's levels are better. 😂❤
Thank you for this. I got my own CGM (no prescription) to help me understand what happens when I eat or move or sleep. I was diagnosed a year ago with type II and now I am in remission with an A1C of 5.1. I am learning and losing weight while feeling great!🎉
@@DoctorBoz it’s an ongoing challenge. Lost 35lbs over a year. I’m thankful for channels like yours, Westman, Berry, Berg and more to get educated. I’m freaking out my hmo doc. Blood is going in the right direction. 😎
I bought Freestyle Libre when I was already ~1.5 months on strict Keto diet and it was the best experience to prove that I'm doing everything correctly and if my fasting is good for me. It was a proof that Keto works. Perfectly flat sugar levels. Even during stressful situations at work. Every single meal was ok, no sugar spikes and I was not crazy about super expensive organic food. Just regular, wisely chosen products with close to zero or zero carbs.
Best thing Ive ever done for my health!! And yes! Huge wakeup call to my insulin resistance and how my body works!! I recommend 100% thanks Dr..Boz!!!🎉🎉
00:00 🩺 Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are typically FDA-approved for diabetics who inject insulin; non-diabetics might need a prescription for self-study purposes. 00:42 💸 CGMs can be costly, around $200/month excluding additional expenses for test strips, glucose meter, or doctor's visits for the prescription. 01:09 ⏰ Monitoring blood sugar can become a time-consuming distraction; spikes might not return to baseline as quickly as expected. 01:36 🧘 Understanding individual blood sugar spikes: Some spikes, like those induced by sauna sessions, might have beneficial effects. 02:16 🍷 Lifestyle habits significantly impact blood sugar; alcohol consumption can affect numbers for days. 02:30 📊 Calibrating CGMs accurately within the first 12 hours is crucial; improper calibration can lead to inaccurate readings and false alerts. 02:59 🚨 Understanding and managing alerts: Not all alerts might be relevant for non-diabetics; learning to disable unnecessary alerts can be crucial for a better experience. 03:25 💡 Despite challenges, CGMs can be valuable for health monitoring and biohacking; accessing a prescription might involve an online process for non-diabetic users.
I was going to use one of those CGMs. Just to monitor for a month or two. No diabetes. Wanted to know my limitations on regular everyday consumption and certain foods snacks, sweets,fruits,etc. I really like. My doctor agreed to give me a two month prescription. Decided not to after my great A1C results. Looks like I’m on the right course. It was a proactive thing with health and didn’t care about the cost.
I wore one for 8 weeks and it was hugely insightful. I think everyone should be prescribed one for personal use to inform individuals of how food and activity affects them!
Just exactly what I have been looking for. A reasonable way to acquire a GCM. Seems like they don’t want us to have this information. Seems ridiculous to need a prescription. If gcms could be obtained easily anywhere without prescription, the food and health industry would be forever changed and I mean in a very good way. Thank you Dr. Bos for making this available.
Levels also has a non doc prescription but pricey. I think it’s $200 for year PLUS $200 a month to have it continuously. You can opt to just get a month at a time but they will still charge you the “membership fee”. It’s been life changing for me.
And none need them more than people with type 1 diabetes who spend thousands on their health over and above. Once all T1D can have one at a low cost, then normal people can get one. But only after the type ones.
My insurance is covering my monthly CGM sensors and I was just pre-diabetic back in June. I've turned that around since June and lost 30 pounds and now have an A1C of 4.8. They told me they don't want me using insulin so they will cover it so I learn what was causing issues for me. They have been covering mine for 6 months now.
I love this! You aren’t trying to mislead anyone. You are spelling out the whole truth. Then, if you still want the device, you can get it here. Most influencers just talk up the product then you are over your head before you know what to do.💜. I’m good for now.
I got an Rx from you and Meaningful medicine. Thank you, the process was so easy. Only 24 hours in and it is eye opening. My recent A1C came back at 6.0%, normal fasting glucose, and it made no sense because I’ve been eating less than 20 gms of carbs a day, resistance training and walking 5 days per week. At my goal weight, normal blood pressure. so I needed to see my average glucose levels in a day. So far I’m no where near an average glucose to correlate with an A1C of 6.0
Dexcom's Stelo is $100 for 2 devices. It's over the counter so no prescription needed. Each device lasts 15 days. If you aren't diabetic or pre-diabetic, you only need to do this for a couple weeks to gauge which foods and drinks are problematic. For me, it was Cauliflower pizza (100 Grams of carbs), Oat milk lattes (15-30 grams of carbs) often first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and any alcoholic drink. High intensity activities like playing soccer also spiked but that is normal from what I researched.
Thank you for this video. I think anyone should try a Continuous Glucose Monitor at least once. Depending on the brand, one CGM will work for 10 days or for two weeks. Notes: 1. I don't think the sauna raised your blood sugar as much as you think. The CGM is temperature sensitive, and will show a higher meter reading when it gets warmer. This could happen in a sauna or hot shower. I cannot say reliably how much the rise in the meter reading is due to the meter getting warmer, and how much is your body actual metabolic response. One clue, if you take a quick hot shower, then get out of the shower and look at the graph from the CGM, you will see the meter reading spiked very fast when the shower started. Usually the sugar in the interstitial fluid, which is what the CGM measures, takes five or ten minutes to track your blood serum. When you see an instantaneous spike, that's a clue the CGM was affected by heat. 2. People using CGM should understand that it ONLY MEASURES GLUCOSE. Not Fructose. When you eat fruit, it is a mix of glucose and fructose. Fructose is by far more damaging. So if you eat some fruit and see a spike, consider it the tip of the iceberg. The Glucose measurement is the tip of the iceberg. The Fructose, which CGM does not measure, is the seven-eighths of the iceberg submerged which you do not see. Other compounds you will not see on the meter are lactic acid (yogurt, sour cream, sauerkraut), and alcohol of all kinds (wine, whiskey, and "alcohols" such as inositol, sorbitol), and vinegar. This means a high reading on the CGM does mean you ate the wrong kind of food, but a low reading does not mean you avoided foods diabetics should not be using, such as alcohol. 3. Many doctors and patients use CGM not to educate which foods to avoid and how long to fast, but rather to enjoy more of those foods more often and know when to "fix it" with a dose of insulin. This is an abuse of the CGM. The goal should always be to lower insulin by proper diet, not to increase insulin to pander to addiction. This is true even for type 1 diabetics, who must inject insulin, but still should aim to reduce the dosage, not increase the dose to eat more carbs.
The book "Rethinking Diabetes" by Gary Taubes is a history of how diabetes treatment developed over the past 200 years. It is a bit nerdy so if you just want to know what to eat, keep listening to Dr Boz. Among other things, the book describes the history of glucose monitoring devices and how the how a large part of medical establishment developed the attitude that diabetics should eat "normally" (that is about 50 percent carbs) and use insulin injections to raise their insulin to deal with the carb overload. A tragic story, when you consider the suffering that millions of people had to endure because of complying with incorrect advice from their doctor.
I bought a Stelo, and it's absolutely the best thing I could've done for my life. I'm not diabetic. I'm pre-diabetic. I want to know what my blood glucose is doing at all times. I'm using it as a tool.
I am non-diabetic and a runner. I wanted to see what my blood sugar looked like as I trained for a half marathon. My Dr. Got me the prescription no problem and my insurance covered half the cost too. So it doesn’t hurt to check with your doctor and you might be surprised that your insurance might cover some of the cost. Check with both. My monitor was soooo insightful. I learned so much from wearing it for a couple of months
10 years ago not sure how many people had heard the term "glucose spike". To my mind, how bad really is a glucose spike?? Are our bodies not capable enough? Are we overthinking it?
Yes in a normal healthy body and life there are spikes too. Only regular spikes can cause damage to or cause. Higher risks to cardiovascular disease, eye damage and kidney failure. Mind you we are talking spikes and valleys like the Himalayas. Not the occasional bumps you see in the graph. Turns out all healthy people are patients who suffer from fashion.
CGM's are a game changer! Food and diet industry probably hate CGMs and will do everything they can to prevent their use by all. I found that zero sugar, no sugar food items raised my glucose!!
@michelleduncan6260, Agreed that industry will try to prevent people from knowing how bad processed foods are for us. Would you be willing to share some of the no sugar foods that raised your blood sugar? Thanks!
I’m lucky. Some insurances do cover CGMs for diabetics who aren’t using insulin, and my plan is one of them. I will campaign nonstop for every diabetic, no matter if they use insulin or not, to have access to, and coverage for, CGMs.
Dear Dr. Boz, I thank you very much for your videos which are very insightful and valuable. Regarding the Continuous Glucose Monitor I would just like to mention one issue: The CGM constantly emits an electromagnetic field/radiation, as it is regularly connecting with the little machine that indicates the numbers. As I am personally sensitive to certain frequencies, I cannot spend a lot of time around a person with a CGM. And it would not come to my mind to have one attached to my own body. I would be interested about your views on this, especially if it is possible that everybody, whether s/he feels it or not, can be affected by this sort of radiation. I am aware that there are many different frequencies, and that different people react sensitively (or not) to different frequencies. I am personally sensitive to frequencies emitted by mobile phones/antennas/wifi/bluetooth as well as the frequencies emitted by induction cookers.
Hi I don't own one but I looked at the ones for sale here in the UK. You can get ones that don't connect permanently and only give you a reading when you actually scan the sensor with a phone or reader device. I wouldn't want the EMFs either from a device that is permanently emitting.
'If im not going to sweat, i might aswell stay home'. Great advice doc. Not everybody sweats when they workout. Any type of movement is beneficial, especially for blood sugar levels. Im very disappointed that this is your advice. You spent the entire video telling us about the cons of the cgm, as a matter of fact the entire premise, including the videos front picture screams 'dont do it', but you end with 'i think these a great tools, i love biohacking'. What terrible mixed messages to tour viewers.
Mine has been absolutely worthwhile.... I had major issues with hypoglycemia both on a standard diet and ketovore which crash my metabolism. So, I've been using it and I've found reactive hypoglycemia from carbs. The best fix I've found is just increasing my protein intake which keeps me from going low, keeps my metabolism up, and actually helps me lose weight. The only real downsides are that sleeping on the arm it's installed on can cause fake low readings making the low alarm go off and the $150 every 28 days for the libre 3 sensors.
I got a Stelo (which does not require a prescription). I love having data that is available almost immediately (it updates every 15 minutes). Blood glucose doesn't usually change that much in 15 minutes. I'm so glad that I got it, and I may wait awhile before getting another. I've got a pretty good idea of what works for me now and I'm always within 99% of my target range, even though I'm using the lower range designated for people who have never been diagnosed as diabetic. I like that it gives me feedback, not only on how high it goes, but also on how long it takes me to recover. This shows me the level of my insulin sensitivity. I also now have concrete feedback on the value of walking after a meal, to recover a normal range of glucose. p.s. The Stelo costs $100/mo. or $90 with a subscription.
OMG I have ben wearing one for 20 days and I also have noticed spikes in my readings at night then again in the morning. I had been allowing thins back in my diet that are not good for me.... Now I see even though I workout, and eat well, take supplements and fast, I still have some early signs of IR, so I am working on that. I got my CGM gifted to me so I have 30 days to track.. then I will prob buy 2 more months to make sure that I have fixed my IR!! Very good investment for long term health and to actually know how diff foods affect you!!
My doc wrote my prescription, but told me I’m on my own to pay for it. This post is helpful but I’m wondering what makes my feet tingle. Ugh. And if Im eating ANYTHING carb then my nerves respond… eventually. Im t2. I just dont grasp it. And Im so fearful of the damage to my nerves eventually. But my doc says Im worrying for nothing. I disagree.
When I fast on most days of the month my chronic nerve pain disappears and it’s like being free as a bird and living again. The only times I do still get nerve pain when fasting is the day before my period, and I think when I’m ovulating. I get so happy fasting and not being in pain I don’t look forward to my first meal and I try to stick to keto-friendly foods - or at least super low carbs. But it’s often hard when family around.
@@DoctorBoz I bought a keto-mojo last week. It’s amazing to see what’s going on. I’ve just finished a 50 hour fast and took numbers. I wanted to test the advice that you shouldn’t fast before period. I’m due on tomorrow. And yes, the numbers this morning are SO far away from the numbers I had a week ago. Really not good at all and I’ve been strict and ate pure keto before the fast. These 50 hours felt like 72 and didn’t get the ketone buzz either. Very interesting.
I'm a diabetic and can't get my sensors because you have people who are not diabetic buying them. what a great world we live in! Don't worry though you can still buy them for your dog or cat.
Guys I have to say something !! Medical services are the worst in the world ! It is a total business of making money ! Period You go to the doctor good or semi good and after you leave you are totally sick ! Doctors do not know !! This lady doctor she is reasonable and good , she makes a lot of sense unlike the doctor ( robot ) that you go visit , he will meet in a very mechanical way without solving the root of the problem ! Just a band aid It is very sad situation indeed and the main culprit is the insurance companies
The part that often gets left out in discussions of CGMs is their lack or real time accuracy. As is also the case with finger prick blood glucose meters these devices are commonly off by as much as 15% or more either high or low. Since you never know whether a particular reading is on the high or low side this leaves you with a window of vulnerability of 30% or more. When I hear folks seemingly confident of point spreads of 10/15 points meaningfully reliable I am caught between laughter and tears. These devices can be useful for insulin dependent diabetics as they titrate their insulin regimens. And if used carefully they can detect the early onset of Type 2 diabetes. But as a tool to be used to rate athletic performance and training protocols they are an expensive tech toy which can actually screw up rather than fine tune your workouts. s
the spike at the sauna is not your blood sugar spiking. the sensor is affected by the heat and that’s why you are seeing the spike, so fear not. This is according the the manufacturer. One one of his podcasts, Dr Ben Bickman saw this spike on his, and mentioned this to the CGM maker and that was their answer. Cheers.
Anyone who has a diabetic in their family history and doesn’t want to be a diabetic, needs to get CGM and learn how to eat when to eat how much to eat, only way to live healthy, great tool to learn how your body reacts to different types of foods.
0:40 "You'll be looking at $200 a month and that's not including the test meter and strips"?? I'm confused. WHAT cost an extra $200 a month if not the required equipment?? Once you have the meter, the strips and the lancet needles what else are you talking about???
I found mine (Freestyle) to be aggravating in that the alarms can't be muted. I always had to remind myself that this was intended for those with T2D. The proximity alarm drove me nuts. I plan to use it again when I'm in a position to deal with the distractions it presents.
Every gestational diabetic mother should hands-down use a CGM. I recommend the Libre 3 since you don’t need a reader or calibration (it has a “calibration period” if you use it to dose insulin, but doesn’t require any manual work), and if the sensor falls off you can get a free replacement.
You need a CGM, regardless what this lady says. Do not rely on influencers like she is. Learn about your body as much as you can. There's no such thing like 'spending too much time' with it. The more you know the less you'll eat junk food. Sauna reduces my blood glucose levels, not raising it.
I’ve been dealing with blood sugar stuff for a while, but unswt has made it so much easier to figure out what works for me. The AI sugar tracker shows me exactly how different foods affect my levels, and it’s been a game changer. If you’re looking for something easy and helpful, definitely give it a go!
My CGM has given me so much actionable information!! As Dr Boz knows, the only way to get fasting glucose average down was??? FASTING! That was the key. When I first got the CGM I couldn’t get it below 100 even with some mild intermittent fasting. Tried weeks of strict keto then carnivore. Same. Started exercising and that helped a little bit. Then I started longer fasting and exercising while fasted. THAT was the key! Now I can do alternate day (no eating Tuesday/Thursday and one meal on Saturday) and trying to go to the gym harder on fasting days and that is maintaining my 80 ish average. Whew! 😅
She said that a glass of wine would not only spike her glucose level, but it would stay that way for days. I´ve found similar results by eating something sweet like grapes, and I cannot figure out how it stays high for so long because of one event like that. It´s as if the body can react in ways that make no rational sense to the mind. Mind is way behind. It does not understand the body.
My Stelo (no prescription needed) was still reading 15 to 20 points high after two days. On another channel person that wears a Dexcom G7 said that they get the best readings by placing it on the thigh. So I took off the sensor on my arm and placed the second one on my thigh. Have to see how that works. I contacted Stelo and said I had a defected sensor. So hopefully, they replace the first sensor.
So here it is 7 months since you posted this video. I think within the past week the FDA okayed CGMs for non-diabetics. I’m hoping that means insurance & Medicare will approve a prescription for a CGM (even for just a few months), and that you do a new video when they do.
Getting a CGM is fine if you have no issues with an allergic reaction to adhesive and I mean any adhesive. My skin will turn red and raw to the point of blisters and getting bloody if I just wear a bandaid so a CGM is out for me. I am not a diabetic, nor am I a pre diabetic but I been Keto for a while now and would like to monitor my blood sugar range, I am currently using a pretty accurate regular glucose monitor which works fine for me.
I am NOT a diabetic, but I do assist 2 Veterans who are, and both are using the Dexcom system. I do agree you should not be applying the sensor near bedtime. However, based on my observations and several phone calls to Dexcom support in the first 12 hours, you should not be chasing the Dexcom to calibrate. Let it go and stick check about 6 hours and continue 4 to 6 hours later. I guess everybody has their own opinion on this. What I have discovered is if you calibrate early you can almost expect to recalibrate to correct that first one.
Wrist based cgm's are beginning to be available, tho I understand they're not terribly accurate, yet. Hopefully they'll improve. Apple is developing a cgm for its AppleWatch, but looks like it'll be a few years before it's out for sale. Looking forward to that!
They are completely useless and a scam. Unless the reading is done with interstitial fluid or capillary blood, the results are worthless. This has been proven, and is the reason why Apple has yet to bring one out.
I saw a video of a guy with type 1 diabetes compare those with a cgm. Wrist monitors (he tested 3 different ones) were very inaccurate when it came to blood glucose spikes.
I find CGMs to be consistently inaccurate compared to blood testing with my FORA glucose & ketone monitor. Whenever the Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre CGMs alert me to too low or to higher blood glucose readings (e.g. 119); I prick my finger and the readings are 10-30 points higher or lower: I don’t understand why this is happening. Is it because I’m pretty lean to begin with (BMI 17.8-18.5)? I’ve also re-calibrated multiple times to no avail.
Same here. Can’t believe they need a cgm to make healthy choices. Any good dietitian and doctor can tell you the things they discovered by spending $200 a month. Our burden is their hobby.
the sauna thing.... the device is very sensitive to temperature. It goes up every time i take a hot shower. it's not really the bg, it's just the device getting hot.
Same experience. I checked my glucose while in the sauna, no spike. Even though I spiked on my CGM. Same thing when I go outside in the cold or into an air conditioned cooler like the produce cooler at Costco. CGM shows glucose is going way low, while finger sticks over the same period show no change in glucose. Same when I exercise. It's pretty annoying that ambient temperature change affects how the device reads your glucose.
Love my CGM. I’m 59. Once I hit menopause…. IF I have an evening with carbs or dessert, my blood glucose levels will stay in the 90’s low 100’s during the day for 3-4 days before dropping back to their baseline. I’m thankful that I’ve been checking my numbers sporadically since about 2010. I’d have no clue that they were starting to creep. Everyone, should start checking their BS so you have a base number. Things change & I’ve had to become way more disciplined in my eating habits. Which is good, because it was hard to practice what I heard being preached until REALITY came knocking on my door!
Definitely haven’t found anything near that price. I tried to get a Dexxcom6, (having read good reviews for them) to manage pre-diabetic hypoglycemic episodes. Insurance would not cover it because I’m “not a diagnosed diabetic on medication. “ Walgreens called and said, “we want to tell you how much this will cost before we fill the prescription - it’s 1700.00.” “Okay, that’s pricey, but I’ll spring for that monitor/meter.” The pharmacist replied, “No, it will cost about 1700.00 PER MONTH, for the electrode patches - that’s not counting the meter. “ Obviously, prices vary between brands, and maybe the Dexxcom6 is a fancy one, but how can anyone afford it without insurance?
Call around to other pharmacies, check different brands. My freestyle is about 900 for three month supply through CVS. My insurance covered about 8%, they had a coupon for about 190, and my out of pocket was 225. Decimal was a lot higherper sensor and they need to be replaced every ten days. I calculated that the Dexcom would have been at least 10X's the price.
My insurance has been covering the libre freestyle 2.. Its not always accurate but it gives a point of reference to operate from.. combined with a finger stick its been a good tool to help me control my type 2
Did you try different types of alcohol to see if some caused much greater spikes rhan others? Many have sugars added, though, Id be very interested to know how clear spirits with just sparkling water, spike your blood sugar, because theyre devoid of any added sugars.
I am a prediabetic. I used dexcom G7 CGM. On the first two days, the readings went insanely high. I kept double-checking with Contour nexGen Glucometer that persistently showed 1.5 to 2.5 mmols lower readings. I kept observing and on the fourth day realized that the readings were kind of stabilizing in terms of glucose spikes but still showing higher figures. I am now convinced that the prick method is the best despite all the pain and blood. CGM are nothing more than a general idea about your blood sugar patterns and cannot be relied upon. If you have to confirm every suspicious reading on a Glucometer then what is the point using such an expensive method? I'll throw it away after ten days and never use again.
I’d pause before throwing it out & not trying again. The first device for me (& many of my patients) is a lot of device learning. I don’t mean PERSON learning … I mean device. The number of calibrations on my first device was not what I expected either … but the second device the data leveled out … and it improved so much by the third device that I literally checked my blood sugar 2-3 times in the whole 10 days. Just my thoughts. I understand the frustration
I have heard that the inexpensive CGM machines can be purchased for about $100 on eBay or at Walmart without a prescription. Is this what others are finding in the USA? I believe Libre is the most inexpensive brand. It is only the sensors that require a doctor's prescription, right?
The type of CGM matters. The Libre 3 is by far superior-no calibration or meter required. It alerts my phone too so I don’t need to wait on a data dump at the end of the day on a separate reader.
Mine seems to show that my blood sugar drops then spikes during my sleep, and could be the cause of my terminal insomnia. I’m not really concerned about spikes after eating, I’m more interested in the overall picture and patterns as my long term A1C tests are always good.
The other thing to be aware of when using a CGM is that the trading you have is not the actual reading of Glucose at the time of the reading it is a predictive estimate. I wondered why I would get a high level alarm and then that number was never reached. You need to pay attention to the number and the trend arrow. I am not sure if this is all CGM or just freestyle libre 3
As a pre Type 2 I found my CGM very useful to week out extreme spiky foods. At night, strange things happen to my glucose as I have been alerted several times once with a 36 mg/dl reading. Strange thing is I feel no difference between 37 mg/dl or 456 mg/dl (I had this). Type 1s tell me they notice the difference.
What is this "insulin resistance" term meaning, everyone is throwing around?? How would I know if have it? Low BMI, fasting insulin-4.1,NF-50 (but high bg till rode bike). Known since a kid felt shaky from sugar, so age other stuff. Triglycerides are usually 50's-70's. Think my issue is reactive hypoglycemia. Do wonder lately if have enuf glycogen or storage(or not enuf insulin or excess glucagon) area as got a meter and sometimes high bg (2 hrs after eating broccoli and Turkey) Am not Keto, just eat mostly real food. Realize hi midnight free cortisol can raise it as well (did a saliva cortisol lab).
Also, the keto mojo reader seems to be a lot less accurate in my freestyle, which I’ve used for years and compared to my test seems to be more accurate. I’ve done a control test on the new keto mojo reader, and it seems to read correctly according to the control test. What can you tell me if anything?
Thanks for the video. I noticed that if I'm doing something fun like e-foiling that my blood sugar levels spike big-time,like 180! Is this unusual or bad for me? It's physically stressful as I am new to the sport, but it just seems odd that it spikes when hadn't eaten anything to bump it.
How come a type 1 diabetic has glucose dumped from the liver that makes sugar high but why does it not do they when glucose levels go low? Like too much exogenous insulin? Why doesn’t the liver bring the level back up like a non diabetic?
I’m curious as to how your sleep is. Those hypoglycemic numbers at nighttime spikes cortisol - hence poor sleep. 50-60 is hypoglycemia. Idk why you consider it as ok.
That was during the CGM warm up period when the thing is wildly inaccurate. It reads wacky low and high for the first 12-24 hours for no reason. Quite annoying.
If you have an iPhone and the dexcom g7 app /. Go to “history” (found at the bottom), click on it. Click the “+” sign. Click on Blood Glucose. Do a test with your glucose blood monitor and get a reading. Then in the app click on USE as Calibration. And enter the value and click save. I calibrate about twice and when the monitor readings are stable. You will have a better calibration that way. Hope that helps.
![Dr. Boz [Annette Bosworth, MD]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/wmxkT94LN1N2ujFLA7_YMlEgwZG_rqBnqbjh6BAjMU4gOD-oNLizrcDRL-9WuOoWlzs0_dMyfQ=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
This past year I was diagnosed as "pre-diabetic". I browbeat my primary care provider into a prescription for a CGM. It has been one of the most valuable tools in my toolkit to get my blood sugar down. I am now officially no longer "pre-diabetic". I still have more to go as my average glucose is 94, and I want to get it down to the mid-80's. The FDA is making a huge mistake by restricting prescriptions to "full diabetics". Why wait until the physiological damage is done?? A CGM and recommendation for keto or carnivore diet would drastically decrease the cost of health care in the long term.
It really doesnt make sense. You would think the CGM makers would be pounding the doors down wanting more sales and no doubt they would get them too if it was allowed. Why regular people cant get them is insane. Imagine if only those with high blood pressure could buy a BP Monitor?
Crooked Pharma does not want you to have a CGM to self study and heal.
They makes mo money on insulin and drugs than cgms.
T
It's all about the Benjamin's. Pharmaceutical companies would rather everyone be sick.
I have hear rumors about the FDA removing the requirement for the Rx … I really hope they are true. The more people who see this “lightbulb moment” the healthier our whole country would be
You are assuming the FDA has our well-being in mind…and not continuing consumers for their Pharma products and pushers
I use mine as a weapon in battle. Glucose feeds cancer and I am wearing mine especially during chemotherapy to withhold dietary sugars and pairing therapeutic ketosis with my infusions 😊👍
God bless you!!
This was the primary driver for me to get a CGM. My current chemo treatment is driving up my BG readings from day one. I went from a fasting BG of 89 and an A1C of 6.0 in February (not great, but Ok) to my current A1C of 8.9. I had to say something to my PCP every time I saw him and he blew me off. It took saying it to my onco team week after week for them to send a referral to diabetes treatment to get him to send prescription for CGM. I still haven't gotten any other treatment feedlot asking.
After my last treatment (1st with CGM) my BG went from 180 to over 500. It stayed over the 350 threshold for almost 12 hrs despite fasting. I am not sure what will kill me first, the cancer or the diabetes. I keep working on getting as close to zero carb as possible and hope that will help both.
You think youre aware and yet you’re letting them poison you with chemo.
glucose feeds cancer" god that's a dumb thing to say
@@JohnLawson-jo7gz Really John? How does cancer get it's nutrients? Do you have this information?
I saw your original video on this. A couple weeks later I went with my diabetic, non insulin dependent husband to his doctors visit. The doctor had just finished wearing hers for ten days. She had gotten it as a sample. She gave him a simple monitor to wear for ten days. I do not remember him doing a 12 hour wait to set the monitor.
Anyway it was very helpful for him. He got to see how much snacks spiked his sugar, also ice cream. He has cut out snacks but still eats ice cream.
I can only do so much to support his diet. 🤷🏼♀️
@Sufficient4UsIsAllah well, I grew up in a family of alcoholics. Most of them got sober along the way. Being a Child of Alcoholics is also a thing and in fact AlAnon is a group that supports them. AlAnon and Alcoholics Anonymous are based on The 12 Steps to find recovery. 12 Steps talk a lot about consequences for one’s actions and setting boundaries.
It’s important to set your own boundaries with the people you care about. That boundary can be to not take someone’s actions personally. Their actions are their own choices. They are adults and they don’t usually make choices to hurt others. Don’t let their choices hurt you. That’s your choice.
AlAnon is a great place to learn about this. The meetings, both virtual and in person are no charge. They are also nice and understand if you say, I don’t feel comfortable talking right now.
One more point, not all alcoholics drink alcohol. They are called dry drunks and are often in more denial than the “wet” ones.
By your question I can tell you are a very caring sibling. Take care of yourself too.
One of the best things I did for my health this past year is the CGM. It lets me see what foods, lack of rest, infections, and stress will do to my glucose levels. Expensive, but worth it. Thank you, Dr. Boz for opportunity.
Me too.
Every time I go without it I find myself slipping
I just bought keto-mojo, maybe I’ll get CGM at next stage.
Seeing the numbers is a game changer.
Brought me to new level.
I am rewatching Dr Boz videos now with fresh eyes now I have numbers and can relate to them with personal experience.
🤩
Love mine and so glad my doctor was 100% on board! Costco (in the United States) has great price since not covered by insurance
How much for the 3 pak, do u know?
@@YeshuaKingMessiah no, I only get 2 per month
$65 for a month
Wow! Thanks for Costco advice. I get mine thru Levels. Year prescription fee plus about $200 a month.
Love my Freestyle Libre 3 for $75 per month as a Type 2 Diabetic. No insulin or other Diabetic meds other than gabapentin and lowest dose statin. Cgm has kept me accountable with great labs including a1c around 5.2 for past 3 years.
Your last sentence above is exactly WHY the medical community does not want this. Healthcare is a business not a vocation.
I don’t need a prescription in Canada. I just go to the pharmacy and buy a continuous monitor that is good for two weeks for $100 cdn. Freestyle Libre. I don’t need a doctor’s permission to monitor my blood glucose levels in Canada.
Hmm. This makes me wonder if I could simply buy one online from a Canadian merchant? 🤔
I’m really wanting this because I am using the over the counter finger stick but it’s not sanitary when I’m out and about.
Even in Indonesia, the country considered as 3rd world country, I can go to online shopping, buy Libre for US$ 60, delivered right to my door. No prescription needed as well. I never knew it needs prescription in the States
@@fradesjo I think Americans can too but in order for insurance to cover the cost the physician has to order it.
It doesn’t make sense that you and I can just go to a pharmacy and buy it without a Rx
@@robertlyons991insurance isn’t going to cover it unless you’re diabetic. Supposed to be available without rx now, but the only way I could see to get it was online from the company. They want to see whose buying I guess.
I, too, was fascinated by the way my eating was affecting the spikes. I spent a good amount of time analyzing the data. I have been wearing mine for several months now and still amazed at my CGM. I have learned so much on how my body and glucose are affected by different kinds of food and how long it takes to recover. REAL eye opener!!
I'm an insulin dependent diabetic. I use the Libre 3. I put the next sensor on my other arm 12 hours before my current sensor expires, once it expires, I scan the new sensor. This makes my new sensor already seasoned and my readings have been more accurate.
Since March 2024, I've dropped from 58 units of long acting insulin to 36 units. My short acting insulin has dropped too. I've lost 15 lbs. It's been easier because I can see what spikes my levels and adjust. It's a game changer for me! I'm currently 95% in range and my A1C is 5.9... lower than it's been in many years! I've been diabetic for more than 40 years, diagnosed at 16 years old.
It took a long time for me to agree to putting "spy wear" on my body, but I don't look at it that way anymore! I talked my brother into using one and he loves it too. We have contests on who's levels are better. 😂❤
Thank you for this. I got my own CGM (no prescription) to help me understand what happens when I eat or move or sleep. I was diagnosed a year ago with type II and now I am in remission with an A1C of 5.1. I am learning and losing weight while feeling great!🎉
Wow .. your A1C is better than mine
@@DoctorBoz it’s an ongoing challenge. Lost 35lbs over a year. I’m thankful for channels like yours, Westman, Berry, Berg and more to get educated. I’m freaking out my hmo doc. Blood is going in the right direction. 😎
@@DoctorBoz Does that mean you're close to becoming a prediabetic?
@@JC-gw4jl With an A1C of 5.1 the writer is well below "pre-diabetic" status.
I bought Freestyle Libre when I was already ~1.5 months on strict Keto diet and it was the best experience to prove that I'm doing everything correctly and if my fasting is good for me. It was a proof that Keto works. Perfectly flat sugar levels. Even during stressful situations at work. Every single meal was ok, no sugar spikes and I was not crazy about super expensive organic food. Just regular, wisely chosen products with close to zero or zero carbs.
Great job!
Best thing Ive ever done for my health!! And yes! Huge wakeup call to my insulin resistance and how my body works!! I recommend 100% thanks Dr..Boz!!!🎉🎉
00:00 🩺 Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are typically FDA-approved for diabetics who inject insulin; non-diabetics might need a prescription for self-study purposes.
00:42 💸 CGMs can be costly, around $200/month excluding additional expenses for test strips, glucose meter, or doctor's visits for the prescription.
01:09 ⏰ Monitoring blood sugar can become a time-consuming distraction; spikes might not return to baseline as quickly as expected.
01:36 🧘 Understanding individual blood sugar spikes: Some spikes, like those induced by sauna sessions, might have beneficial effects.
02:16 🍷 Lifestyle habits significantly impact blood sugar; alcohol consumption can affect numbers for days.
02:30 📊 Calibrating CGMs accurately within the first 12 hours is crucial; improper calibration can lead to inaccurate readings and false alerts.
02:59 🚨 Understanding and managing alerts: Not all alerts might be relevant for non-diabetics; learning to disable unnecessary alerts can be crucial for a better experience.
03:25 💡 Despite challenges, CGMs can be valuable for health monitoring and biohacking; accessing a prescription might involve an online process for non-diabetic users.
I was going to use one of those CGMs. Just to monitor for a month or two.
No diabetes. Wanted to know my limitations on regular everyday consumption and certain foods snacks, sweets,fruits,etc. I really like.
My doctor agreed to give me a two month prescription.
Decided not to after my great A1C results. Looks like I’m on the right course.
It was a proactive thing with health and didn’t care about the cost.
I wore one for 8 weeks and it was hugely insightful. I think everyone should be prescribed one for personal use to inform individuals of how food and activity affects them!
Type 2 here, and I learned how to time my eating, exercising, etc. by seeing what my readings were and at what time, activity, etc.
Just exactly what I have been looking for. A reasonable way to acquire a GCM. Seems like they don’t want us to have this information. Seems ridiculous to need a prescription. If gcms could be obtained easily anywhere without prescription, the food and health industry would be forever changed and I mean in a very good way. Thank you Dr. Bos for making this available.
Levels also has a non doc prescription but pricey. I think it’s $200 for year PLUS $200 a month to have it continuously. You can opt to just get a month at a time but they will still charge you the “membership fee”. It’s been life changing for me.
And none need them more than people with type 1 diabetes who spend thousands on their health over and above.
Once all T1D can have one at a low cost, then normal people can get one.
But only after the type ones.
My insurance is covering my monthly CGM sensors and I was just pre-diabetic back in June. I've turned that around since June and lost 30 pounds and now have an A1C of 4.8. They told me they don't want me using insulin so they will cover it so I learn what was causing issues for me. They have been covering mine for 6 months now.
Wow. That is so encouraging. and you live in USA? I am asking with genuine curiosity
Such wonderful news, keep healthy, take care of yourself.
I love this! You aren’t trying to mislead anyone. You are spelling out the whole truth. Then, if you still want the device, you can get it here. Most influencers just talk up the product then you are over your head before you know what to do.💜. I’m good for now.
Here's a request, could you please do a tutorial video on calibration for cgm?
I got an Rx from you and Meaningful medicine. Thank you, the process was so easy. Only 24 hours in and it is eye opening. My recent A1C came back at 6.0%, normal fasting glucose, and it made no sense because I’ve been eating less than 20 gms of carbs a day, resistance training and walking 5 days per week. At my goal weight, normal blood pressure. so I needed to see my average glucose levels in a day. So far I’m no where near an average glucose to correlate with an A1C of 6.0
Dexcom's Stelo is $100 for 2 devices. It's over the counter so no prescription needed. Each device lasts 15 days. If you aren't diabetic or pre-diabetic, you only need to do this for a couple weeks to gauge which foods and drinks are problematic. For me, it was Cauliflower pizza (100 Grams of carbs), Oat milk lattes (15-30 grams of carbs) often first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and any alcoholic drink. High intensity activities like playing soccer also spiked but that is normal from what I researched.
Thank you for this video. I think anyone should try a Continuous Glucose Monitor at least once. Depending on the brand, one CGM will work for 10 days or for two weeks.
Notes:
1. I don't think the sauna raised your blood sugar as much as you think. The CGM is temperature sensitive, and will show a higher meter reading when it gets warmer. This could happen in a sauna or hot shower. I cannot say reliably how much the rise in the meter reading is due to the meter getting warmer, and how much is your body actual metabolic response. One clue, if you take a quick hot shower, then get out of the shower and look at the graph from the CGM, you will see the meter reading spiked very fast when the shower started. Usually the sugar in the interstitial fluid, which is what the CGM measures, takes five or ten minutes to track your blood serum. When you see an instantaneous spike, that's a clue the CGM was affected by heat.
2.
People using CGM should understand that it ONLY MEASURES GLUCOSE. Not Fructose. When you eat fruit, it is a mix of glucose and fructose. Fructose is by far more damaging. So if you eat some fruit and see a spike, consider it the tip of the iceberg. The Glucose measurement is the tip of the iceberg. The Fructose, which CGM does not measure, is the seven-eighths of the iceberg submerged which you do not see. Other compounds you will not see on the meter are lactic acid (yogurt, sour cream, sauerkraut), and alcohol of all kinds (wine, whiskey, and "alcohols" such as inositol, sorbitol), and vinegar. This means a high reading on the CGM does mean you ate the wrong kind of food, but a low reading does not mean you avoided foods diabetics should not be using, such as alcohol.
3.
Many doctors and patients use CGM not to educate which foods to avoid and how long to fast, but rather to enjoy more of those foods more often and know when to "fix it" with a dose of insulin. This is an abuse of the CGM. The goal should always be to lower insulin by proper diet, not to increase insulin to pander to addiction. This is true even for type 1 diabetics, who must inject insulin, but still should aim to reduce the dosage, not increase the dose to eat more carbs.
The book "Rethinking Diabetes" by Gary Taubes is a history of how diabetes treatment developed over the past 200 years. It is a bit nerdy so if you just want to know what to eat, keep listening to Dr Boz. Among other things, the book describes the history of glucose monitoring devices and how the how a large part of medical establishment developed the attitude that diabetics should eat "normally" (that is about 50 percent carbs) and use insulin injections to raise their insulin to deal with the carb overload. A tragic story, when you consider the suffering that millions of people had to endure because of complying with incorrect advice from their doctor.
I bought a Stelo, and it's absolutely the best thing I could've done for my life. I'm not diabetic. I'm pre-diabetic. I want to know what my blood glucose is doing at all times. I'm using it as a tool.
I am non-diabetic and a runner. I wanted to see what my blood sugar looked like as I trained for a half marathon. My Dr. Got me the prescription no problem and my insurance covered half the cost too. So it doesn’t hurt to check with your doctor and you might be surprised that your insurance might cover some of the cost. Check with both.
My monitor was soooo insightful. I learned so much from wearing it for a couple of months
10 years ago not sure how many people had heard the term "glucose spike". To my mind, how bad really is a glucose spike?? Are our bodies not capable enough? Are we overthinking it?
Yes in a normal healthy body and life there are spikes too.
Only regular spikes can cause damage to or cause. Higher risks to cardiovascular disease, eye damage and kidney failure.
Mind you we are talking spikes and valleys like the Himalayas. Not the occasional bumps you see in the graph.
Turns out all healthy people are patients who suffer from fashion.
CGM's are a game changer! Food and diet industry probably hate CGMs and will do everything they can to prevent their use by all. I found that zero sugar, no sugar food items raised my glucose!!
@michelleduncan6260, Agreed that industry will try to prevent people from knowing how bad processed foods are for us. Would you be willing to share some of the no sugar foods that raised your blood sugar? Thanks!
I’m lucky. Some insurances do cover CGMs for diabetics who aren’t using insulin, and my plan is one of them. I will campaign nonstop for every diabetic, no matter if they use insulin or not, to have access to, and coverage for, CGMs.
Dear Dr. Boz, I thank you very much for your videos which are very insightful and valuable. Regarding the Continuous Glucose Monitor I would just like to mention one issue: The CGM constantly emits an electromagnetic field/radiation, as it is regularly connecting with the little machine that indicates the numbers. As I am personally sensitive to certain frequencies, I cannot spend a lot of time around a person with a CGM. And it would not come to my mind to have one attached to my own body. I would be interested about your views on this, especially if it is possible that everybody, whether s/he feels it or not, can be affected by this sort of radiation. I am aware that there are many different frequencies, and that different people react sensitively (or not) to different frequencies. I am personally sensitive to frequencies emitted by mobile phones/antennas/wifi/bluetooth as well as the frequencies emitted by induction cookers.
Hi I don't own one but I looked at the ones for sale here in the UK. You can get ones that don't connect permanently and only give you a reading when you actually scan the sensor with a phone or reader device. I wouldn't want the EMFs either from a device that is permanently emitting.
'If im not going to sweat, i might aswell stay home'. Great advice doc. Not everybody sweats when they workout. Any type of movement is beneficial, especially for blood sugar levels. Im very disappointed that this is your advice. You spent the entire video telling us about the cons of the cgm, as a matter of fact the entire premise, including the videos front picture screams 'dont do it', but you end with 'i think these a great tools, i love biohacking'. What terrible mixed messages to tour viewers.
Mine has been absolutely worthwhile.... I had major issues with hypoglycemia both on a standard diet and ketovore which crash my metabolism. So, I've been using it and I've found reactive hypoglycemia from carbs. The best fix I've found is just increasing my protein intake which keeps me from going low, keeps my metabolism up, and actually helps me lose weight. The only real downsides are that sleeping on the arm it's installed on can cause fake low readings making the low alarm go off and the $150 every 28 days for the libre 3 sensors.
Sleeping on mine has caused troubles too .. I have to put it on my left arm - I tend to roll onto my right side
I got a Stelo (which does not require a prescription). I love having data that is available almost immediately (it updates every 15 minutes). Blood glucose doesn't usually change that much in 15 minutes. I'm so glad that I got it, and I may wait awhile before getting another. I've got a pretty good idea of what works for me now and I'm always within 99% of my target range, even though I'm using the lower range designated for people who have never been diagnosed as diabetic. I like that it gives me feedback, not only on how high it goes, but also on how long it takes me to recover. This shows me the level of my insulin sensitivity. I also now have concrete feedback on the value of walking after a meal, to recover a normal range of glucose. p.s. The Stelo costs $100/mo. or $90 with a subscription.
They weren’t available ten months ago when this was made! I’ve done the Stelo and now trying the Lingo by Abbott. Just stuck it on! 😅
Thanks! That is very helpful info!
Love mine! The sad thing is insurance should allow. Preventative tool!
I finally got my insurance to cover the some of the cost of my Dexcom G7s. Took me 5 years.
I got one through Signos without a prescription. In fact, they ask you if you're diabetic and refuse to sell them to you if you are.
OMG I have ben wearing one for 20 days and I also have noticed spikes in my readings at night then again in the morning. I had been allowing thins back in my diet that are not good for me.... Now I see even though I workout, and eat well, take supplements and fast, I still have some early signs of IR, so I am working on that. I got my CGM gifted to me so I have 30 days to track.. then I will prob buy 2 more months to make sure that I have fixed my IR!! Very good investment for long term health and to actually know how diff foods affect you!!
Once you’ve seen how it reflects on your day to day decisions… it’s hard to argue with the impact it has on us
I recently saw that Dexcom came out with the Stelo model of CGM, which does not require a script.
It also does not require calibration.
Very helpful explanation. Since each body is different, it's no doubt worth the cost--at least for a couple months.
My doc wrote my prescription, but told me I’m on my own to pay for it. This post is helpful but I’m wondering what makes my feet tingle. Ugh. And if Im eating ANYTHING carb then my nerves respond… eventually. Im t2. I just dont grasp it. And Im so fearful of the damage to my nerves eventually. But my doc says Im worrying for nothing. I disagree.
When I fast on most days of the month my chronic nerve pain disappears and it’s like being free as a bird and living again.
The only times I do still get nerve pain when fasting is the day before my period, and I think when I’m ovulating.
I get so happy fasting and not being in pain I don’t look forward to my first meal and I try to stick to keto-friendly foods - or at least super low carbs. But it’s often hard when family around.
Follow your numbers … you will not regret the investment to understand your personal situation
@@DoctorBoz I bought a keto-mojo last week. It’s amazing to see what’s going on. I’ve just finished a 50 hour fast and took numbers. I wanted to test the advice that you shouldn’t fast before period. I’m due on tomorrow. And yes, the numbers this morning are SO far away from the numbers I had a week ago. Really not good at all and I’ve been strict and ate pure keto before the fast.
These 50 hours felt like 72 and didn’t get the ketone buzz either.
Very interesting.
Spaghetti made my feet feel weird.
I'm a diabetic and can't get my sensors because you have people who are not diabetic buying them. what a great world we live in! Don't worry though you can still buy them for your dog or cat.
Lol crabby
Supply adapts to demand. The supply of devices is not fixed. Come on, man.
I used one for a couple of months and man did it ever work for me. It is expensive though and I wish it would be covered for Type 2 diabetics.
Guys I have to say something !! Medical services are the worst in the world ! It is a total business of making money ! Period
You go to the doctor good or semi good and after you leave you are totally sick ! Doctors do not know !!
This lady doctor she is reasonable and good , she makes a lot of sense unlike the doctor ( robot ) that you go visit , he will meet in a very mechanical way without solving the root of the problem ! Just a band aid
It is very sad situation indeed and the main culprit is the insurance companies
if a Dr. fixes your problem there is no reoccurring revenue for them for the "treatment"
2:30 Huh? No info on calibrating first 12 hours that I saw.
The part that often gets left out in discussions of CGMs is their lack or real time accuracy. As is also the case with finger prick blood glucose meters these devices are commonly off by as much as 15% or more either high or low. Since you never know whether a particular reading is on the high or low side this leaves you with a window of vulnerability of 30% or more. When I hear folks seemingly confident of point spreads of 10/15 points meaningfully reliable I am caught between laughter and tears. These devices can be useful for insulin dependent diabetics as they titrate their insulin regimens. And if used carefully they can detect the early onset of Type 2 diabetes. But as a tool to be used to rate athletic performance and training protocols they are an expensive tech toy which can actually screw up rather than fine tune your workouts.
s
Helpful info. Thank you.
Thank goodness a CGM is now $100 for two and it helped me further limit my food choices to keep my blood sugar lower.
There seems to be a new alternative for those of us that don't qualify for insurance to pay for a typical CGM. Thanks for sharing this information!
what is the alternative?
@@antwha5526it’s called “Stelo”. I’ve been wearing it for a week and it’s great so far.
@@antwha5526 Stelo
the spike at the sauna is not your blood sugar spiking. the sensor is affected by the heat and that’s why you are seeing the spike, so fear not. This is according the the manufacturer. One one of his podcasts, Dr Ben Bickman saw this spike on his, and mentioned this to the CGM maker and that was their answer. Cheers.
That's explanation simplify and clarify everything about CGMs. An A for effort
Anyone who has a diabetic in their family history and doesn’t want to be a diabetic, needs to get CGM and learn how to eat when to eat how much to eat, only way to live healthy, great tool to learn how your body reacts to different types of foods.
0:40 "You'll be looking at $200 a month and that's not including the test meter and strips"??
I'm confused. WHAT cost an extra $200 a month if not the required equipment?? Once you have the meter, the strips and the lancet needles what else are you talking about???
I found mine (Freestyle) to be aggravating in that the alarms can't be muted. I always had to remind myself that this was intended for those with T2D. The proximity alarm drove me nuts. I plan to use it again when I'm in a position to deal with the distractions it presents.
Just turn off the phone speakers...
@@warthog733I tried that. But that sets off another alarm that bypasses the phone's audio.
@@garyglynn9945I’m using a Dexcom, and I turn off all notifications at night. Non diabetic and my glucose can go as low as 39 at night
Every gestational diabetic mother should hands-down use a CGM. I recommend the Libre 3 since you don’t need a reader or calibration (it has a “calibration period” if you use it to dose insulin, but doesn’t require any manual work), and if the sensor falls off you can get a free replacement.
Much appreciated. I wanted one to try to time when my pre-workout meal produces a spike so that I can take advantage of it during the workout.
I am a T2D NOT taking insulin. My insurance does cover the CGM! I was surprised. Wearing one has been a game changer for me.
You need a CGM, regardless what this lady says.
Do not rely on influencers like she is. Learn about your body as much as you can.
There's no such thing like 'spending too much time' with it.
The more you know the less you'll eat junk food.
Sauna reduces my blood glucose levels, not raising it.
I’ve been dealing with blood sugar stuff for a while, but unswt has made it so much easier to figure out what works for me. The AI sugar tracker shows me exactly how different foods affect my levels, and it’s been a game changer. If you’re looking for something easy and helpful, definitely give it a go!
Why can't they come out with a continuous reader that does glucose and ketones?
My CGM has given me so much actionable information!!
As Dr Boz knows, the only way to get fasting glucose average down was??? FASTING! That was the key. When I first got the CGM I couldn’t get it below 100 even with some mild intermittent fasting. Tried weeks of strict keto then carnivore. Same. Started exercising and that helped a little bit. Then I started longer fasting and exercising while fasted. THAT was the key! Now I can do alternate day (no eating Tuesday/Thursday and one meal on Saturday) and trying to go to the gym harder on fasting days and that is maintaining my 80 ish average. Whew! 😅
Why do you need to stay on 80? Is it a personal goal?
She said that a glass of wine would not only spike her glucose level, but it would stay that way for days. I´ve found similar results by eating something sweet like grapes, and I cannot figure out how it stays high for so long because of one event like that. It´s as if the body can react in ways that make no rational sense to the mind. Mind is way behind. It does not understand the body.
My wife has a Dexacom paid by insurance and she doesn’t take insulin. She has hypoglycemia after eating. Also, the cost is 60 dollars every 3 months.
My Stelo (no prescription needed) was still reading 15 to 20 points high after two days. On another channel person that wears a Dexcom G7 said that they get the best readings by placing it on the thigh. So I took off the sensor on my arm and placed the second one on my thigh. Have to see how that works. I contacted Stelo and said I had a defected sensor. So hopefully, they replace the first sensor.
So here it is 7 months since you posted this video. I think within the past week the FDA okayed CGMs for non-diabetics. I’m hoping that means insurance & Medicare will approve a prescription for a CGM (even for just a few months), and that you do a new video when they do.
Getting a CGM is fine if you have no issues with an allergic reaction to adhesive and I mean any adhesive. My skin will turn red and raw to the point of blisters and getting bloody if I just wear a bandaid so a CGM is out for me. I am not a diabetic, nor am I a pre diabetic but I been Keto for a while now and would like to monitor my blood sugar range, I am currently using a pretty accurate regular glucose monitor which works fine for me.
I am NOT a diabetic, but I do assist 2 Veterans who are, and both are using the Dexcom system. I do agree you should not be applying the sensor near bedtime. However, based on my observations and several phone calls to Dexcom support in the first 12 hours, you should not be chasing the Dexcom to calibrate. Let it go and stick check about 6 hours and continue 4 to 6 hours later. I guess everybody has their own opinion on this. What I have discovered is if you calibrate early you can almost expect to recalibrate to correct that first one.
Wrist based cgm's are beginning to be available, tho I understand they're not terribly accurate, yet. Hopefully they'll improve. Apple is developing a cgm for its AppleWatch, but looks like it'll be a few years before it's out for sale. Looking forward to that!
They are completely useless and a scam. Unless the reading is done with interstitial fluid or capillary blood, the results are worthless. This has been proven, and is the reason why Apple has yet to bring one out.
I saw a video of a guy with type 1 diabetes compare those with a cgm. Wrist monitors (he tested 3 different ones) were very inaccurate when it came to blood glucose spikes.
I find CGMs to be consistently inaccurate compared to blood testing with my FORA glucose & ketone monitor. Whenever the Dexcom G7 or FreeStyle Libre CGMs alert me to too low or to higher blood glucose readings (e.g. 119); I prick my finger and the readings are 10-30 points higher or lower: I don’t understand why this is happening. Is it because I’m pretty lean to begin with (BMI 17.8-18.5)? I’ve also re-calibrated multiple times to no avail.
I'm T1D. It's almost funny to watch a non-diabetic person suddenly realize what a functional pancreas does.
Same here. Can’t believe they need a cgm to make healthy choices. Any good dietitian and doctor can tell you the things they discovered by spending $200 a month. Our burden is their hobby.
Companies like Levels will qualify people without the need to goto your primary doctor. I believe some CGM monitors do not require calibration.
the sauna thing.... the device is very sensitive to temperature. It goes up every time i take a hot shower. it's not really the bg, it's just the device getting hot.
Same experience. I checked my glucose while in the sauna, no spike. Even though I spiked on my CGM. Same thing when I go outside in the cold or into an air conditioned cooler like the produce cooler at Costco. CGM shows glucose is going way low, while finger sticks over the same period show no change in glucose. Same when I exercise. It's pretty annoying that ambient temperature change affects how the device reads your glucose.
Love my CGM. I’m 59. Once I hit menopause…. IF I have an evening with carbs or dessert, my blood glucose levels will stay in the 90’s low 100’s during the day for 3-4 days before dropping back to their baseline. I’m thankful that I’ve been checking my numbers sporadically since about 2010. I’d have no clue that they were starting to creep. Everyone, should start checking their BS so you have a base number. Things change & I’ve had to become way more disciplined in my eating habits. Which is good, because it was hard to practice what I heard being preached until REALITY came knocking on my door!
Definitely haven’t found anything near that price.
I tried to get a Dexxcom6, (having read good reviews for them) to manage pre-diabetic hypoglycemic episodes.
Insurance would not cover it because I’m “not a diagnosed diabetic on medication. “
Walgreens called and said, “we want to tell you how much this will cost before we fill the prescription - it’s 1700.00.”
“Okay, that’s pricey, but I’ll spring for that monitor/meter.” The pharmacist replied, “No, it will cost about 1700.00 PER MONTH, for the electrode patches - that’s not counting the meter. “
Obviously, prices vary between brands, and maybe the Dexxcom6 is a fancy one, but how can anyone afford it without insurance?
Call around to other pharmacies, check different brands. My freestyle is about 900 for three month supply through CVS. My insurance covered about 8%, they had a coupon for about 190, and my out of pocket was 225. Decimal was a lot higherper sensor and they need to be replaced every ten days. I calculated that the Dexcom would have been at least 10X's the price.
There is something wrongs … that is about 10 TIMES higher than what I hear patients are paying
My insurance has been covering the libre freestyle 2.. Its not always accurate but it gives a point of reference to operate from.. combined with a finger stick its been a good tool to help me control my type 2
Did you try different types of alcohol to see if some caused much greater spikes rhan others? Many have sugars added, though, Id be very interested to know how clear spirits with just sparkling water, spike your blood sugar, because theyre devoid of any added sugars.
I just ordered the new Stelo unit. It’s under $100 for the month, and no prescription required.
I am a prediabetic. I used dexcom G7 CGM. On the first two days, the readings went insanely high. I kept double-checking with Contour nexGen Glucometer that persistently showed 1.5 to 2.5 mmols lower readings. I kept observing and on the fourth day realized that the readings were kind of stabilizing in terms of glucose spikes but still showing higher figures. I am now convinced that the prick method is the best despite all the pain and blood. CGM are nothing more than a general idea about your blood sugar patterns and cannot be relied upon. If you have to confirm every suspicious reading on a Glucometer then what is the point using such an expensive method? I'll throw it away after ten days and never use again.
I’d pause before throwing it out & not trying again. The first device for me (& many of my patients) is a lot of device learning. I don’t mean PERSON learning … I mean device. The number of calibrations on my first device was not what I expected either … but the second device the data leveled out … and it improved so much by the third device that I literally checked my blood sugar 2-3 times in the whole 10 days.
Just my thoughts. I understand the frustration
150 is not destroying your numbers. I also put mine on right before bed and it's perfectly fine.
I want one of those so bad, but I’m not diabetic. I bought a glucose meter and use that sometimes.
The Abbott Lingo and Dexcom Stelo are now available without a prescription.
I'm in Canada. Thank goodness a prescription for cgm and my insurance reduced my cost from 200 a month to 70 for a 3 month supply!
I have heard that the inexpensive CGM machines can be purchased for about $100 on eBay or at Walmart without a prescription. Is this what others are finding in the USA? I believe Libre is the most inexpensive brand. It is only the sensors that require a doctor's prescription, right?
With more usage even by non-diabetics hopefully it'll bring the price down.
The type of CGM matters. The Libre 3 is by far superior-no calibration or meter required. It alerts my phone too so I don’t need to wait on a data dump at the end of the day on a separate reader.
You you’ve been keto for years and fasting weekly for years and still insulin resistant. That’s a little discouraging.
Well … it is a MILLION times better … but I can still see some things that happen to insulin resistant patients
Mine seems to show that my blood sugar drops then spikes during my sleep, and could be the cause of my terminal insomnia. I’m not really concerned about spikes after eating, I’m more interested in the overall picture and patterns as my long term A1C tests are always good.
The other thing to be aware of when using a CGM is that the trading you have is not the actual reading of Glucose at the time of the reading it is a predictive estimate. I wondered why I would get a high level alarm and then that number was never reached. You need to pay attention to the number and the trend arrow. I am not sure if this is all CGM or just freestyle libre 3
Be sure to calibrate it when you first put in a sensor
@DoctorBoz can you do a viewing on calibration? I have heard it mentioned, but never got any instructions.
I have this issue with FreeStyle Libre & Dexcom, and I re-calibrate all the time but the CGMs are still inaccurate compared to blood glucose testing.
Good info, but I got a freestyle libre 3 with a prescription from my doctor for a lot less money than you are mentioning.
How do we take care of the cgm when showering? Should we remove it when showering and put it back on later after showering?
Love my CGM, now,
why can’t big medical invent an CIM,
for Insulin?
Actually, I know the answer😢
I have type 2 and it’s under control. I got one of these and my insurance pays all but 75.00 for a 90 day prescription.
As a pre Type 2 I found my CGM very useful to week out extreme spiky foods. At night, strange things happen to my glucose as I have been alerted several times once with a 36 mg/dl reading. Strange thing is I feel no difference between 37 mg/dl or 456 mg/dl (I had this). Type 1s tell me they notice the difference.
What is this "insulin resistance" term meaning, everyone is throwing around?? How would I know if have it? Low BMI, fasting insulin-4.1,NF-50 (but high bg till rode bike). Known since a kid felt shaky from sugar, so age other stuff. Triglycerides are usually 50's-70's. Think my issue is reactive hypoglycemia. Do wonder lately if have enuf glycogen or storage(or not enuf insulin or excess glucagon) area as got a meter and sometimes high bg (2 hrs after eating broccoli and Turkey) Am not Keto, just eat mostly real food. Realize hi midnight free cortisol can raise it as well (did a saliva cortisol lab).
Also, the keto mojo reader seems to be a lot less accurate in my freestyle, which I’ve used for years and compared to my test seems to be more accurate. I’ve done a control test on the new keto mojo reader, and it seems to read correctly according to the control test. What can you tell me if anything?
Thanks for the vid Doc. I needed it.
Thanks for the video.
I noticed that if I'm doing something fun like e-foiling that my blood sugar levels spike big-time,like 180! Is this unusual or bad for me? It's physically stressful as I am new to the sport, but it just seems odd that it spikes when hadn't eaten anything to bump it.
Those overnight lows were probably false compression lows from laying on the arm or leg you had the CGM in.
How come a type 1 diabetic has glucose dumped from the liver that makes sugar high but why does it not do they when glucose levels go low? Like too much exogenous insulin? Why doesn’t the liver bring the level back up like a non diabetic?
I’m curious as to how your sleep is. Those hypoglycemic numbers at nighttime spikes cortisol - hence poor sleep.
50-60 is hypoglycemia. Idk why you consider it as ok.
That was during the CGM warm up period when the thing is wildly inaccurate. It reads wacky low and high for the first 12-24 hours for no reason. Quite annoying.
I just heard about this. Why in the world would you want to monitor this continuously when it fluctuates. It’s like watching an EkG continuously.
Thank you! I’ve been using mine for months. Can you explain more about calibration? I don’t know how to do that with my G7
I also dont get that. Mine calibrates over 12 hrs I think . It does not say anywhere to use a glucometer to calibrate
@@jazzsnare yes, that’s what I thought, so I’m confused by what Dr Boz is saying.
If you have an iPhone and the dexcom g7 app /. Go to “history” (found at the bottom), click on it. Click the “+” sign. Click on Blood Glucose. Do a test with your glucose blood monitor and get a reading. Then in the app click on USE as Calibration. And enter the value and click save. I calibrate about twice and when the monitor readings are stable. You will have a better calibration that way. Hope that helps.