165 - AMA #24 [sneak peek]: Deep dive into blood glucose: why it matters, metrics to track, CGM data

Summary

In this episode of the Drive podcast, the host Peter Etia talks about the use of glucose tests in healthy individuals. He explains that the traditional method of measuring hemoglobin A1c can be misleading because it doesn't take into account factors such as red blood cell turnover rates. Instead, he suggests using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to track glucose levels in real-time. CGM data provides a more accurate picture of glucose homeostasis and can help identify abnormal glucose control.

Peter explains that CGMs work by continuously measuring glucose levels in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid that surrounds cells in the body. The CGM device is attached to the skin and has a tiny sensor that measures glucose levels every few minutes. The data is then sent to a receiver or smartphone app, where it can be viewed in real-time or analyzed over a longer period.

Peter emphasizes that CGMs are not just for people with diabetes, but can be used by anyone who wants to monitor their glucose levels. He suggests that healthy individuals can use CGMs to identify how their diet and lifestyle choices affect their glucose levels. For example, they can see how their glucose levels change after eating certain foods or after exercising.

Peter also discusses the potential future use of CGMs in routine medical care. He suggests that CGMs could be used to monitor glucose levels in patients with conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and even cancer. CGMs could also be used to monitor glucose levels in hospitalized patients, where changes in glucose levels can indicate the onset of infection or other complications.

In conclusion, this episode of the Drive podcast provides a detailed explanation of how CGMs work and how they can be used to monitor glucose levels. Peter Etia advocates for the use of CGMs in healthy individuals to track glucose levels in real-time, which can provide a more accurate picture of glucose homeostasis and help identify abnormal glucose control. He also discusses the potential future use of CGMs in routine medical care, which could have significant implications for the management of various health conditions.