"FDA Approves First Blood Sugar Monitor Without Finger Prick"
U.S. regulators have approved the first continuous blood sugar monitor for diabetics that doesn't need backup finger prick tests. Current models require users to test a drop of blood twice daily to calibrate, or adjust, the monitor. Most of the 30 million Americans with diabetes use standard glucose meters, which require multiple finger pricks each day and only show current sugar level. "The pros of the new device are that it is a 10-day wear, it is low-profile and that no calibration needed," said Carol Levy, MD, CDE, associate professor of endocrinology, diabetes and bone disease, obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "The cons of the device are that is has no alerts for either high or low BG levels for patients with hypo-unawareness, which could be a challenge. It also requires a separate receiver to view data -- other systems on the market can have data viewed on the smart phone,” she added.
- Carol Levy, MD, CDE, Associate Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Bone Disease, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai