Stay in Control: SIBIONICS GS1 Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Monitoring your own blood glucose levels throughout the day enables you to make educated choices about food, exercise, and medication. Instead of obtaining one number with each finger prick, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) gives you a whole picture of how your levels change over the course of the day. Below is a description of the CGM process, why it may be less complicated than regular testing, and how the SIBIONICS GS1 system factors into this.
Most people check glucose using a small meter, test strip, and lancet. Every check gives you one reading, but it can't tell you what happens in between checks. Checking four or more times a day is hurting and can get in the way of you doing things. CGM uses a small sensor under the skin that takes readings of glucose in fluid in and around your cells. You use a reader or phone app to scan the sensor to see real-time levels, trend arrows, and hours of past data—all without extra finger sticks.
Standard Glucose Monitoring
With a finger-stick meter, you place a test strip, prick your fingertip, and apply a drop of blood to the strip. The meter reads your current glucose in seconds. This is simple and cheap. You can take the strips and the meter with you anywhere. But each reading is only a snapshot. You don't know if your levels are inched up or plummeted down, and you use a finger stick every time you test.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Fundamentals
A CGM system has three parts: a small sensor, a transmitter, and a display device. The sensor stays under your skin—usually on the upper back part of your arm—and calculates glucose in the liquid that bathes your cells. The transmitter sends data to a reader or a smartphone app. The sensor takes a new reading every minute. Scanning displays:
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Current glucose level
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A trend arrow showing if levels are rising, falling, or plateauing
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Current history, often up to eight hours of dat
Because you scan with a reader or phone, you have fewer finger sticks. Some CGM systems still recommend one or two finger-stick checks daily for confirmation of accuracy, but most patients replace strips with rapid scans.
Welcome to SIBIONICS GS1
SIBIONICS GS1 is a 14-day wear CGM system. How to apply GS1:
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Clean dry skin on the back of your upper arm.
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Pull the tab off the backing, and slide the sensor on the back of the patch into your upper arm.
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Securely attach sensor using the adhesive at the edge. Connect sensor to small GS1 reader or download SIBIONICS GS1 smartphone app.
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Scan the sensor whenever you want to get a reading—never more than a second of scanning.
The GS1 reader or app stores approximately three months' worth of data. You can scroll back through old readings, view trend charts, and create reminders when your glucose enters or exits your target range.
Why CGM Can Be Simpler
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Pain and Hassle
CGM minimizes finger sticks. You replace the sensor one to two weeks with SIBIONICS GS1 instead of stabbing your finger up to a dozen times a day. Your fingers are less sore, and you spend less time testing.
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Fuller Data
The old meters only report a number at once. GS1 reports a number with an arrow and a graph of recent values. You see trends that provide you with a hint on how food, exercise, and stress affect your glucose.
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Safety Reminders
With a finger-stick meter, you only test when you remember or when you feel unwell. GS1 can send reminders for low-level and high-level levels. When your glucose moves outside of your range, you receive a warning—about 20 to 30 minutes before a big rise or drop.
Why Trends and Time In Range Matter
Knowing how your glucose changes from day to day and hour to hour enables you to make better decisions. You might find you have patterns of spiking on certain foods or dipping when you exercise. Time in range (TIR) is the amount of time your levels are in your target, such as 70–180 mg/dL. More TIR lowers your highs and lows and lowers your risk for long-term complications.
Who Benefits Most from CGM
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Busy People
You can scan at work, school, or running errands without having to take out your meter and strips.
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Active Lifestyles
Sensors do not turn off during exercise and showers. No need to pause sports or swim to test.
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Needle-Sensitive Users
If finger sticks are concerning to you, GS1 decreases how often you have to have them.
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Changing Schedules
Shift workers or travelers can see how sleep patterns and time-zone travel affect glucose control.
Getting Started with SIBIONICS GS1
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Verify Coverage
CGM systems cost more to initiate than meters and strips. Ask your insurance plan about coverage for GS1 readers and sensors.
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Speak to Your Healthcare Team
Ask your target range, alarm settings, and how to operate the reader or app. Ask to be shown how to apply the sensor and interpret data.
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Get to Know Technology
Practice scanning, alarm setting, and exporting reports. Familiarity will let you get the most out of GS1.
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Put Sensors on Schedule
Each sensor lasts as long as 14 days. Mark down your calendar so that you can have a new one scheduled.
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Engage with Your Data
Monitor weekly or monthly reports to learn how food, activity, and stress affect your glucose. Review these results with your healthcare provider to make your plan more accurate.
