Understanding continuous and flash glucose monitoring

If you live with diabetes, monitoring your blood glucose (sugar) level can help you manage the symptoms of your condition. There are lots of ways that it can be done, but continuous glucose monitors can allow you to check without pricking your fingers regularly.

Learn how they work and which might be available to you.

A continuous glucose monitor is a device that checks your blood sugar levels throughout the day. It works by checking your blood sugar every few minutes and letting you know if it is too high or low.¹

The real-time readings can help you make decisions to keep your blood sugar under control. For example, you can respond by changing your food choices, physical activity levels and using insulin to manage high blood sugars.

Flash glucose monitors are sensors that are stuck on the skin of the upper arm. They continually monitor your blood sugar and is paired with a device or your phone to get an instant blood glucose reading.²

You can use the reading from a sensor to calculate the amount of insulin you will need. Some glucose monitors can sync with your insulin pump to automatically adjust the amount of insulin you need.²

Information from your flash glucose monitor can be sent to your diabetes care team so they can check if you are managing your condition well.¹

If you have type 1 diabetes, you should be able to get a continuous glucose monitor on the NHS. This also applies if you are pregnant. Your diabetes nurse will help you understand the device and help you with setting it up.¹

If you have type 2 diabetes, you may be offered a continuous glucose monitor or flash glucose monitor if you require insulin twice a day, most days.³

If your healthcare team tell you that you don’t qualify for a glucose monitor on the NHS, then there are steps you can try to change this. These include:

• Writing a letter to your healthcare team to explain how a monitor will improve your diabetes management
• Applying for individual funding for a device if local policy doesn’t support funding for all patients. Your healthcare professional will help you with the application
• Writing to your local integrated care board or health trust and make your case for a glucose monitor
• Outlining how it will benefit your condition, including information on any challenges you are currently facing that make continual finger prick tests difficult and whether you have been funding a device yourself.³

The features of your device has will depend on the brand you choose. Speaking to your diabetes care team will help you weigh up the options available to you.

Here are some examples.