Measuring Metabolic Health with a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Measuring Metabolic Health with a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Continuous glucose monitors are becoming increasingly popular. You’ve likely seen people wearing them and you might’ve considered trying one for yourself. These are little devices that you can attach to your skin to monitor your blood sugar levels throughout the day. 

Continuous glucose monitors can give us crucial information about blood sugar fluctuations, trends, triggers, and your overall health. They can help you and your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan, including dietary changes, lifestyle strategies, and supplementation, to improve your blood sugar balance and metabolic health.

In this article, I will discuss the importance of metabolic health. You will learn about the signs and symptoms of poor metabolic health. I will explain what a continuous glucose monitor is. You will understand the benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor.

I will explain how to get a continuous glucose monitor and share my favorite continuous glucose monitor, Theia Health CGM. Finally, I will recommend some additional lab testing options for metabolic health to uncover underlying issues and support your well-being.

Importance of Metabolic Health

Metabolic health may be defined by optimal levels of blood sugar, waist circumference, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure without using medications (1). Having good metabolic health is characterized by heaving a healthy metabolism.

This means that your body is able to digest food properly and absorb nutrients without resulting in blood sugar spikes, blood sugar imbalances, high levels of insulin release, blood fat, and chronic inflammation.

Poor metabolic health and big spikes in blood sugar and insulin can have a long-term negative impact on your body, including increasing belly fat, dangerous visceral fat, waist circumference, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Poor metabolic health can lead to metabolic, cardiometabolic, and other diseases, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. 

Having good metabolic health may help to reduce the risk of these diseases. This means that if your body can respond to food appropriately, digest it well, and absorb nutrients, it can reduce chronic inflammation, protect your health, and reduce your risk of all these health issues.

According to a survey of 8,721 adult participants done between 2009 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and published in Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders in 2019, only 1 in 8 adults have optimal metabolic health in the United States (1). Considering that poor metabolic health carries major health risks, this is a serious problem, and we need to put more focus on protecting our metabolic health.

Signs and Symptoms of Poor Metabolic Health

If you have poor metabolic health, your body will experience a variety of imbalances that can make it difficult to regulate blood sugar, energy, lipids, and inflammation. This can result in a list of unwanted and chronic signs and symptoms.

The signs and symptoms of poor metabolic health may include:

• Weight issues, including unwanted weight gain, especially belly fat, and difficulty losing weight 
• Blood sugar imbalances are characterized by cravings for sugar and carbs, frequent hunger, frequent fatigue, blood sugar crashes, and blurred vision
• Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes
• Digestive issues, including bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and other irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
• Joint pain or stiffness and/or muscle pains
• High blood pressure
• Headaches or dizziness related to blood pressure fluctuations or high blood pressure
• Cholesterol imbalances, including poor LDL/HDL ratio, high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides
• Compromised immune response and frequent infections
• Chronic inflammation
• Skin issues, including acne, oily skin, and dark patches on the skin (acanthosis nigricans) due to insulin resistance
• Hormonal imbalances, including irregular menstrual cycles and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Low energy levels and fatigue
• Poor sleep or insomnia
• Brain fog, memory issues, and difficulty concentrating 
• Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression
• Poor muscle recovery after exercise and poor endurance and stamina

If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you may be dealing with underlying poor metabolic health or related issues. Early detection and proper dietary and lifestyle changes are key to improving your symptoms, reducing your risks of health issues related to metabolic problems, and repairing your health. In the next sections, you will learn how using a continuous glucose monitor and some specific lab testing may help to improve your metabolic health.

What is a Continuous Glucose Monitor

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a device that can automatically estimate your blood glucose (blood sugar) levels in real-time throughout the day and night. This means that you can check your blood sugar level at any time during the day.

You can also review fluctuations throughout the day. You can note how your blood sugar is right after and a few hours after eating, before meals, in a fasting state, or after specific foods.

A continuous glucose monitor can estimate your blood sugar level every few minutes. It will also track your blood sugar over time. It is a small device you need to insert onto your skin, most commonly on your arm or belly. It stays on with the help of a sticky patch. It has a tiny disposable sensor that inserts under your skin. 

This sensor measures the glucose level in the fluid between your cells, which closely mirrors the glucose level in your blood. Sensors need to be replaced every so often, depending on your device, commonly every few weeks.

The continuous glucose monitor also has a transmitter that can send data to a software program. This allows you to look at your information on your smartphone or another device. It can also store information. Some glucose monitors can also be connected to an insulin pump for those who need it.

Using a continuous glucose monitor is a great way to spot trends and see how your body works. This real-time blood glucose data can allow you to make informed decisions about your diet, physical activity, supplements, or medication.

It can help you to make informed choices to keep your blood glucose levels at a healthy range at all times without unhealthy spikes and drops and to reduce your risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic health issues.

Benefits of Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor 

Using a continuous glucose monitor may offer a variety of benefits. A 2017 review published in Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics has found that continuous glucose monitors can help to assess the frequency and severity of hypo- and hyperglycemia and reduce the risk of risks of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, reduce glycemic variability (GV), and increase quality of life (2). 

A 2022 systematic review published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology has found that using a continuous glucose monitor can help to decrease hypoglycemic events and lead to both patient and healthcare provider satisfaction, based on 4,006 participants (3). A 2023 study published in Cureus has found that continuous glucose monitors can help to manage uncontrolled diabetes (4). 

But the benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor go beyond these health benefits, it’s also about convenience, ease, doctor-patient collaboration, and prevention. Let’s look at the specific benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor.

The benefits of using a continuous glucose monitor include:

• Real-Time Glucose Monitoring: Continuous glucose monitors offer real-time monitoring and data on your blood sugar levels and help to spot or reduce the risk of hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, and other blood sugar issues.
• Insights into Trends: Continuous glucose monitors help to track changes in your blood sugar and overtime help your spot trends to see how your glucose levels may change after meals, after certain foods, from stress, from exercise, or from other factors. It can help you identify triggers for blood sugar spikes and drops and other patterns.
• Better blood sugar management: Continuous glucose monitors offer improved awareness of hypoglycemia through alerts of dangerously low blood sugar levels, even during your sleep. It can also help to manage diabetes better and offer more precise doses and timing of insulin.
• Personalized insights: Continuous glucose monitors offer personalized insight on how specific foods, activities, supplements, lifestyle choices, and medications may affect your blood glucose levels and help you make informed changes accordingly for better metabolic health.
• No finger pricks: Unlike frequent finger-stick testing, there are no pricks and no pain. Continuous glucose monitors are less invasive, painless, and more convenient.
• Convenience and ease: Continuous glucose monitors are convenient and easy to use. There is a onetime set up and then you can wear it for several days or weeks depending on your device. You can check your data on all your smartphones, wearable devices, and other devices thanks to syncing.
• Better long-term outcomes: Since continuous glucose monitors offer real time and ongoing consistent glucose monitoring, it can support prevention and treatment, reduce risk of metabolic health issues, and lower the risk of long-term complications of diabetes, including neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular disease.
• Better communication with your healthcare provider: Continuous glucose monitors offer a detailed analysis of your blood sugar levels throughout the day, which can help your healthcare provider create a personalized treatment plan, track your progress, and adjust your treatment as needed.
• Support beyond diabetes: Though continuous glucose monitors were originally designed for those with diabetes, they are beneficial for everyone who is looking to optimize their metabolic health. They can be particularly useful if you have blood sugar imbalances, following a ketogenic diet, or simply curious how your body responds to specific foods, exercise, and stress, and adjust your diet and lifestyle accordingly for better metabolic health.

How to Get a Continuous Glucose Monitor

Currently, in the United States continuous glucose monitors are only available by prescription. The good news is that it is becoming very common for doctors to prescribe them to patients without diabetes to help them monitor their blood sugar, improve their health, and reduce health risks.

Though unfortunately, insurance will likely not cover this case, continuous glucose monitors can often be eligible for your health savings account (HSA) or your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Another option without getting a prescription from your doctor is to get a continuous glucose monitor device from various biotech companies. These companies often have a network of independent telehealth doctors that can assess your eligibility and get you a prescription or allow physicians to have a platform where patients can sign up.

You may also find some research studies to bypass the need for a prescription, monitor your blood sugar, and support research and technology development on metabolic health.

Introducing Theia Health CGM 

If you are looking for a continuous glucose monitor, I recommend Theia Health CGM. This device is small and can easily stick to the back of your arm to read your blood glucose levels in real time. When I say small, I mean it’s about the size of 2 US quarters that are stacked, which means it’s very discreet. 

Applying it or having it on your skin doesn’t hurt, you will easily forget it’s even there. Theia Health CGM is an FDA-certified device made with the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor made by Abbott and it’s FDA-certified. It is waterproof, so you can shower or swim with it with no problem. 

The testimonials on their site speak for themselves — this device is fantastic and affordable. They also take HSA/FSA cards to help you pay for it. This is a great option that you can use without getting through the hoops of prescriptions and doctor visits.  If you are a non-health practitioner who wants to use CGM to help personalize and improve your diet and lifestyle, go to this link here.

If you are a health practitioner, they have a practitioner platform too to support your patients.  If you want to use CGM’s with your clients to help personalize health programs to get better results, you can go to this link here to learn more about getting an account with Theia Health.

Additional Labs for Metabolic Health

In addition to wearing a continuous glucose monitor, I also recommend some additional lab testing for metabolic health to measure some health markers and track your progress.

Fasting Insulin Levels

Blood sugar imbalances may increase your risk of inflammation. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Biomedical Sciences has found that the development of insulin resistance and increased inflammatory responses in your body may be interlinked (9).

In addition to testing your HbA1C levels, I recommend checking your fasting insulin levels. Testing your fasting insulin can recognize elevated blood sugar levels and can detect inflammation, insulin resistance, blood sugar issues, and diabetes.

Optimal levels:

The clinical range for fasting insulin is 2.6 – 24.9 uIU/ml and the optimal range is 1.0 – 5.0 uIU/ml. 

HbA1C

Blood sugar imbalances are one of the main causes of inflammation, so I recommend checking your hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels. Thus, testing your HbA1C levels is critical to uncover lifestyle-related blood sugar imbalances, metabolic issues, and inflammation. Your HbA1C levels measure your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months. 

Optimal levels:

Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) gives the average amount of glucose in your blood or blood sugar over the past 3 months making it one of the top tests for inflammation and diabetes. The clinical range is between 4.8 and 5.6 while the optimal range is 4.5 – 5.2.

LDH Levels

Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) is an enzyme found in all living cells.  Elevated levels are found when the mitochondria are not functioning well and are stuck in glycolysis which indicates a state of inflammation and poor metabolic health. 

Optimal levels:

Optimal levels are between 140-180. Levels over 180 indicate inflammation.

Comprehensive Blood Analysis

To check for these metabolic health markers and other important inflammatory and health markers, I recommend a Comprehensive Blood Analysis (CBA). This is the most detailed blood test that looks at all markers of blood sugar issues, inflammation, and other health risk factors. 

This test is more sophisticated than most conventional doctors are able to order. It examines all parameters for inflammation, blood sugar levels, thyroid function, zinc and copper ratio, vitamin A and D levels, a complete metabolic panel, complete blood count, liver function, nutrient deficiencies, and more. I recommend getting the Comprehensive Blood Analysis done regularly both as a preventative measure and to monitor your inflammation levels and progress.

Final Thoughts

Continuous glucose monitors are increasingly popular little devices that you can attach to your skin to monitor your blood sugar levels in real-time throughout the day. They can help you to notice any blood sugar fluctuations, trends, and triggers, and monitor your overall health.

They can help you and your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan, including dietary changes, lifestyle strategies, and supplementation, to improve your blood sugar balance and metabolic health. I recommend that you get a continuous glucose monitor to track your blood glucose levels and make informed changes to improve your metabolic and overall health naturally.  Check out Theia Health and start using a CGM to improve your health today!

If you want to work with a functional health coach, I recommend this article with tips on how to find a great coach.  On our website, we offer long-distance functional health coaching programs. For further support with your health goals, just reach out and our fantastic coaches are here to support your journey.

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Sources in This Article Include:

1. Araújo, J., Cai, J., & Stevens, J. (2019). Prevalence of Optimal Metabolic Health in American Adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009–2016. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 17(1), 46–52. Link Here

2. Rodbard D. (2017). Continuous Glucose Monitoring: A Review of Recent Studies Demonstrating Improved Glycemic Outcomes. Diabetes technology & therapeutics, 19(S3), S25–S37. Link Here

3. Kieu, A., King, J., Govender, R. D., & Östlundh, L. (2023). The Benefits of Utilizing Continuous Glucose Monitoring of Diabetes Mellitus in Primary Care: A Systematic Review. Journal of diabetes science and technology, 17(3), 762–774. Link Here

4. Manov, A. E., Chauhan, S., Dhillon, G., Dhaliwal, A., Antonio, S., Donepudi, A., Jalal, Y. N., Nazha, J., Banal, M., & House, J. (2023). The Effectiveness of Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices in Managing Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Study. Cureus, 15(7), e42545. Link Here