It’s critical for patients with diabetes, especially if using insulin, to track their blood glucose levels. Spikes or dips could be a sign they need to adjust their insulin. For diabetes patients without insulin use, the glucose patterns help them identify patterns related to diet, exercise and blood sugar impact.
So, can tracking blood glucose levels be beneficial for people without diabetes or prediabetes? Not necessarily.
What is a continuous blood glucose monitor?
A continuous blood glucose monitor is a small device that can be inserted on the back of the arm or stomach. A small needle holds the device in place, and it measures interstitial glucose continuously every few minutes. Patients can then monitor their blood glucose levels on an app or reader.
“In people with diabetes or prediabetes, they provide insights about how stress, certain foods and movement impact the sugars and help them make lifestyle modifications. This can be very beneficial for glucose control as well as promoting healthy habits,” said Northeast Medical Group Endocrinologist L. Priyanka Mahali, MD.
However, there are some limitations with a continuous blood glucose monitor. For example, monitors are not always accurate when it comes to sensing low blood sugar, especially at night. When a patient is lying down or sleeping, compression on the device can trigger a false low glucose alert.
Patients also need to review their data with their clinician at regularly scheduled appointments.
“In our office, we can download the data and review it with the patient,” said Dr. Mahali. “If we are seeing persistent high sugars we can deep dive into any dietary habits or medications that are impacting the sugars and discuss strategies to control the problem."
Tracking blood sugar without diabetes
In patients without diabetes, high glycemic foods can also cause blood sugar levels to spike, but they return to normal. That’s why tracking blood sugar levels without proper clinical oversight may do more harm than good.
“For people without prediabetes, diabetes or insulin resistance, the spikes in blood sugars are normal and when they are interpreting the data on their own, it can be very confusing,” said Dr. Mahali. “It can unfortunately lead to food avoidance and eating disorder patterns because people are thinking ‘Oh, I ate this, and I see a spike. Maybe this is not good for me.’”
Different food groups have varied effects on blood sugar levels.
“Anything that has carbohydrates is going to spike the sugars. Anything that has protein is not going to spike the sugars. Anything that has fat is not going to cause an immediate spike,” said Dr. Mahali. “So, let’s say someone eats a pizza. The pizza has fat plus carbohydrates, so you’re not going to see that immediate spike. The spike is going to be delayed. Does that mean pizza is still good for weight loss? No. This is where it can get very confusing for people using the CGM devices without any guidance.”
Knowing your numbers
There are other ways for patients to get a better understanding of their health. For example, everyone should get their regularly scheduled preventive care visits and blood work done to evaluate if they have underlying conditions that need to be addressed.
Hemoglobin A1C measures average blood glucose levels over three months. That test can properly diagnose prediabetes and diabetes and is especially important for patients with underlying risk factors, such as family history of heart disease, history of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or those who are overweight. Once patients get their bloodwork done, they can work with their provider to address immediate concerns and mitigate future risks.
