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What is diabetes?
Diabetes is the inability of the body to produce or use insulin, which causes abnormal blood glucose levels. An estimated 20.8 million people in the United States have this disease. Most people have type 2 diabetes (the body does not properly use insulin) and a few have type 1 diabetes (the body's failure to produce insulin). Over time, abnormally high levels of uncontrolled glucose in the blood can damage blood vessels. This can lead to blindness, kidney disease, amputations of limbs, stroke, and heart disease. Patients who regularly monitor and regulate their blood glucose levels have lower incidences of these complications.
Are there any developments in monitoring blood sugar?
The FDA has recently approved a new glucose monitoring device created by DexComÔ, a company based in San Diego, California. This is a newer version of DexCom'sÔ three day device called the STS-7. It will measure blood glucose levels every five minutes for seven days. The device is intended for prescription use in adult diabetics 18 years and older at home or in health care facilities. STS-7 is meant to complement regular blood glucose meters, not to replace them. The data that the STS-7 collects is like a forest, the whole
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picture of a person's blood glucose fluctuations. Patterns and trends that occur with diet, exercise, etc. can therefore be monitored, which is especially useful for people that have highly fluctuating blood sugars. In contrast, standard finger-stick tests are like one tree in the forest, they capture a snapshot in time of a person's glucose levels. Diabetics should still check their blood sugar regularly with finger-stick tests.
How does STS-7 work?
STS-7 comes with three parts: an applicator, a transmitter, and a receiver. The applicator inserts the probe (sensor) just below the skin in the abdomen. This causes minimal discomfort and is done by the user. Sensors must be replaced weekly and calibrated every 12 hours for accurate results. The sensor measures glucose in the fluid of nearby tissue by using an enzyme reaction that converts glucose into an electronic signal. The transmitter, the "pod", adheres to the skin to hold the sensor in place. When the sensor obtains a measurement, the transmitter receives the electronic signal and sends it wirelessly to the receiver. The receiver then translates the signal into a number that comes up on the display, and the user may see the result. An alarm can be programmed to alert the user to pre-set lows or pre-set highs of glu
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cose levels. The device is also waterproof.
What are the drawbacks?
As mentioned above, STS-7 requires frequent calibration - every 12 hours. The calibration process involves finger-stick tests, meter-synching, and some programming. This device is also not that user-friendly. It requires a person to be somewhat technologically savvy (despite program upgrades from the STS-3), and have good dexterity to insert the probe. Finally, most insurance companies will not cover the device even though it requires a prescription for use. STS-7 will cost $450.00 or $150.00 for an upgrade from the STS-3. For more information visit www.dexcom.com. Be watching out for STS-7 to hit the market in July.
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8120 Parallel Parkway
Kansas City, KS 66109
(913) 334-1660
6238 N. Chatham Road
Kansas City, MO 64151
(816) 746-1475
1015 N.E. Rice Road
Lee's Summit, MO 64086
(816) 525-1479
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13600 S. Blackbob
Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 782-2039
2724 W 53rd St
Fairway, KS 66205
913-236-4983
6900 W. 135th Street
Overland Park, KS 66223
(913) 814 WELL (9355)
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Sprint Campus
6450 Sprint Parkway
Overland Park, KS 66251
(913) 315-8646
Merriam Town Center
5800 Antioch Rd.
Merriam, KS 66202
(913) 831-4140
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