Monitoring your blood glucose is essential for managing diabetes or prediabetes. Here are the top 3 methods you can use today:

1. Blood drop testing: Use a glucometer and test strips to get accurate, one-time readings from a small blood sample.
2. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM): Wear a sensor that tracks glucose levels every 5 minutes, showing trends throughout the day.‍
3. Emerging non-invasive methods: These newer technologies aim to measure glucose painlessly using sweat or tears, though they’re still in development.

Quick comparison

Choose the method that fits your budget, needs, and comfort level. For consistent results, follow proper procedures and consult a healthcare professional.

1. Blood drop testing

Blood drop testing, also known as SMBG (Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose), involves using a glucometer and test strips to measure blood sugar levels. Here’s how it works:

• Gather your glucose meter, test strips, lancet device, and alcohol swabs.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water.
• Insert a new test strip into the glucometer and prepare the lancet device.
• Prick the side of your fingertip and gently squeeze to produce a small drop of blood.
• Touch the blood drop to the test strip and wait for the meter to display your result.

Accuracy

Modern glucometers are designed to meet strict ISO 15197 standards:

• 95% of readings must fall within a 15% margin of error for glucose levels above 5.6 mmol/L.
• They require only 0.3 μl of blood, a major improvement compared to the 50 μl needed in older models.
• 99% of readings must fall within Zone A of the Parkes Error Grid, ensuring reliable results.

Best uses

Blood drop testing works well for:

• Checking glucose levels at specific times, such as before and after meals.
• Confirming symptoms of high or low blood sugar.
• Calibrating Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs).
• Monitoring glucose during periods of illness or stress.

To reduce discomfort, prick the sides of your fingers instead of the pads, rotate testing sites, and always use a fresh lancet for each test.

‍Preparing for a glucose test soon? Here's a quick guide to help you get accurate results and avoid common mistakes before your appointment.

2. CGM sensors

Procedure

CGM sensors provide continuous glucose data throughout the day, unlike blood drop testing, which only gives one-time readings. Proper placement is key: choose a clean spot on the back of your upper arm. Wash the area with non-moisturising soap or use an alcohol wipe, then let it dry completely.

Once ready, use the sensor applicator to insert a small filament just under the skin to measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid.

Cost

The cost of CGM systems can vary widely if you're paying out of pocket. Here's a breakdown:

Insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, often cover CGMs when prescribed by a doctor. Manufacturer programs and GoodRx coupons can also help lower costs.

Data output

CGM devices record glucose levels every 5 minutes, delivering around 288 readings per day. This gives you a detailed look at trends, including overnight fluctuations.

Accuracy

While CGMs measure glucose in interstitial fluid, finger-prick tests are still considered the most precise for blood readings. That said, CGM devices meet FDA standards, with 95% of their readings falling within 15% of traditional blood glucose test results.

Best uses

CGMs are especially helpful for spotting overnight glucose changes, understanding post-meal spikes, tracking rapid shifts, evaluating how exercise affects levels, and seeing the impact of stress. To get the best results, avoid applying lotion near the sensor site and ensure the sensor stays securely in place.

‍Curious about the difference between CGMs and traditional blood glucose monitors? Check out our guide on how each one works and which might be right for you.

3. New testing methods

New non-invasive technologies now rely on optical, photoacoustic, electromagnetic, and nanomaterial-based sensors to measure glucose levels in sweat and tears.

Cost

Since many of these methods are still under development, exact pricing details remain unclear. However, researchers expect these options to eventually provide more affordable alternatives to traditional testing methods.

Data output

These devices aim to deliver frequent readings and trend analyses similar to current continuous glucose monitoring systems. They are designed to process glucose data with a focus on recognising patterns over time.

Accuracy

Although these methods show promise, further refinement is needed to match the precision of standard blood tests. Recent studies using electromagnetic sensing systems have shown positive progress.

Best uses

These technologies are particularly useful for those who prefer pain-free testing, need frequent daily readings, have sensitive skin, or face challenges with wound healing. For the 37.3 million Americans managing diabetes, these advancements offer a convenient and less invasive way to monitor glucose levels, paving the way for testing methods that fit seamlessly into daily life.

Method comparison

Here's a breakdown of how different blood glucose testing methods perform across important factors.

Accuracy and reliability

Traditional blood drop testing is widely trusted for its accuracy. It directly measures glucose levels in the blood, making it a reliable choice. CGM sensors, on the other hand, track glucose in the interstitial fluid, which can lag slightly behind blood glucose levels due to the natural delay in glucose diffusion.

Non-invasive methods are still in the experimental stage and need further refinement before they can match the reliability of established options.

Cost considerations

Convenience and maintenance

Blood drop testing requires finger pricks, which can feel inconvenient and must be timed carefully around meals. CGM systems simplify things by offering continuous monitoring, though they still need sensor replacements every 10–14 days. Some CGM devices, like the Eversense system, involve professional insertion and removal every 90 days, which adds extra steps and costs. Occasionally, CGMs may also require calibration with a traditional finger prick test.

Best use cases

• Blood drop testing: A great option for those who only need to check their glucose occasionally or prefer a simpler setup.

• CGM systems: Ideal for people managing diabetes with intensive insulin therapy, as these systems provide detailed trends and frequent updates.

• Non-invasive methods: A future option for individuals who dislike needles or have sensitive skin.

Understanding these scenarios helps you align your choice with your lifestyle and medical needs.

Clinical considerations

Each method's ability to track daily glucose fluctuations plays a key role in effective management. CGM systems excel here, offering readings as often as every 5 minute. This level of detail can be especially useful for identifying trends and making timely adjustments to your glucose management plan.

Up next, learn how to fine-tune your blood glucose management approach.

Next steps

Use the insights from earlier sections to create a glucose monitoring plan that works for your lifestyle.

Take a personalised approach

Start with a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) to better understand how your body responds to food, activity, and sleep. Here’s how it can help:

• Monitor how different foods and activities impact your glucose levels.
• Spot patterns that influence your metabolic health.
• Make informed decisions about your diet, exercise, and daily habits.

Get professional support

Partnering with healthcare professionals can make a big difference. As member Justine S. shares:

"Vively helps me feel supported in my journey towards better health. It's so easy to use & gives great real time readings & suggestions of how my body could best use food, exercise & rest. A great innovation!"

These professional insights can complement the practical steps you take to improve your health.

Make the most of your data

Glucose monitoring becomes even more useful when you dive into your trends. Member Adam explains:

"The Vively app with the CGM has highlighted that I am still insulin resistant and need to focus daily on foods I consume, it also showed I suffered from dawn phenomenon which quarterly bloods would never show."

Analysing your data can uncover insights that traditional testing might miss.

You may read more stories from Vively members.

Making your choice

Here’s how to choose the glucose monitoring method that works best for you:

1. Evaluate your goals: Decide if you need occasional checks or continuous tracking.
2. Review costs: Consider both the upfront investment and ongoing expenses.
3. Check insurance: Find out what costs your insurance will cover.
4. Assess technology comfort: Pick a solution that matches your comfort level with tech.

Whether you go for finger-prick testing, a CGM, or newer methods, the key is consistency and finding a tool that gives you the insights you need to manage your health effectively.