Are Continuous Glucose Monitors Necessary for Everyone?

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have become increasingly popular as a modern health tool, extending beyond their traditional role for people with diabetes. These small, wearable devices track blood sugar levels around the clock by measuring glucose in the fluid beneath the skin through a tiny sensor, providing real-time data via a smartphone app or handheld device. The devices offer significant benefits for individuals managing diabetes, enabling precise insulin adjustments and helping prevent dangerous lows or highs in blood sugar.

Recently, CGMs have gained popularity among healthy individuals without diabetes. Prominent marketers and health apps are encouraging the use of these devices to gain insights into how diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices influence blood sugar levels, even without a health diagnosis. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. highlighted their potential to empower people to take control of their health by understanding how their bodies respond to various foods and activities.

However, medical experts caution that for most healthy people, the routine use of CGMs may be unnecessary or even misleading. Dr. Jody Dushay of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center points out that normal fluctuations in blood sugar after meals are typically harmless and part of the body's natural regulation. She emphasizes that these devices can sometimes produce inaccurate readings and lead individuals to interpret normal variations as problems, potentially causing unnecessary anxiety or misdiagnosis.

To clarify, a typical CGM device is a small patch about the size of two stacked quarters, usually placed on the upper arm or stomach. It uses a painless needle to insert a tiny sensor that measures glucose levels every few minutes, transmitting data to an app that records and displays blood sugar trends. For non-diabetics, blood sugar levels commonly peak at around 140 mg/dL after meals and return to baseline within a few hours, indicating normal glucose regulation.

Since their introduction in the late 1990s, CGMs have mainly been a tool for people with diabetes, helping manage their condition more effectively. In recent years, over-the-counter options have become available at about $100 per month, making them accessible to a wider audience eager to monitor their health. Apps like Noom have also incorporated CGM features to attract users, most of whom do not have diabetes.

While CGMs can be helpful for individuals at risk of diabetes—such as those with obesity, prediabetes, or a family history—they are not designed for or suitable as health tools for everyone. Experts recommend that non-diabetics consider their motivations carefully before using such devices, as the data can be difficult to interpret without medical context. These devices should not be used to diagnose or treat health conditions without professional guidance.

In summary, while continuous glucose monitors are valuable for diabetes management, their use among healthy individuals without risk factors is questionable. Understanding the normal variability of blood sugar and the limitations of these devices is crucial. For most people, maintaining a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and routine health check-ups remain the best strategy for overall wellness.