Why I’m Monitoring My Blood Sugar Levels

general, health + wellness May 8, 2023
I haven’t popped in for a while but that’s because I’ve been focusing a ton on my health! The lunar eclipse in Scorpio visited us on May 5th (I’m a Scorpio Rising) which means that Scorpio is in my first house, which in traditional astrology, is the house of “self.” If this isn’t making sense to you – no worries (we’ll be posting a lot more on astrology soon!) but basically, this means that the past few weeks have been very health-focused for me. Part of this major health-kick I’m on has been tracking my blood sugar levels. So let’s get into it.
Why Track Blood Sugar Levels?
As most of you probably (don’t) know, I am at high risk for developing diabetes as it runs in my family. I did a 23 and Me test a few months back which confirmed this – plus my blood panels recently have revealed levels that indicate I could have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease which would leave me with a twofold chance of developing diabetes (!) If that weren’t enough, I am Latina, meaning that I’m at higher risk of developing diabetes in my lifetime. Needless to say, managing my blood sugar levels now, as opposed to later, is crucial. That brings me to my newest new finding: The Freestyle Libre 2.

 

freestyle libre 2 blood sugar levels
What is the FreeStyle Libre?

The FreeStyle Libre 2 is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system that uses a small sensor placed on the back of the upper arm to measure glucose levels in the interstitial fluid. Unlike traditional glucose monitoring, there’s no finger pricks involved, and the device allows for continuous tracking of glucose levels. The FreeStyle Libre 2 provides a real-time view of how your glucose levels are responding to various factors such as food, exercise, and stress.

freestyle libre 2 blood sugar levels
Personally, this was my first time measuring blood sugar levels aside from a blood panel every six or so months, so it is so enlightening to see exactly how my glucose levels are responding to different factors on a daily, even hourly basis. So helpful.

Another thing I love about the FreeStyle Libre 2 is how easy it is to use – and it syncs with my phone! The device’s interface is super user-friendly, so I can access my glucose readings quickly and easily via an app on my phone. It also gives me insights like trends over time, daily tracking, etc. – which helps me see how I’m doing overall and how I’m reacting to different foods (which have been something I’ve really been focusing on lately). The app allows you to set alarms when your blood sugar gets too low or too high, so it’s really hard to have that afternoon cookie and pretend like you didn’t know it wasn’t great for you!

freesyle libre 2 blood sugar levels
freesyle libre 2 blood sugar levels

I did have an issue with my first sensor, which stopped working. This meant I wasn’t able to track for a few days. However, I did contact FreeStyle Libre, and they were helpful in sending a new sensor straight to my home address.

Okay – But Does It Hurt?
The sensor is small and unobtrusive, so I hardly even notice it’s there when it is in place. But I’ll be honest – the first time I implanted it into my arm – I needed some help from my husband because I was a bit nervous. But I barely felt it going in – it’s comparable a quick stamp-style motion that is over with pretty quickly.

 

freesyle libre 2 blood sugar levels
freesyle libre 2 blood sugar levels

I can workout, I can shower – I can go about my regular daily activities with a little device in my arm doing the heavy lifting for me!

freesyle libre 2 blood sugar levels
But The Data…
freesyle libre 2 blood sugar levelsI love seeing the hard data, so I’m assuming if you’ve made it this far, you probably do too. The FreeStyle Libre 2 has given me insights into how different lifestyle factors affect my blood sugar levels. For example, I’ve noticed that if I have some protein or apple cider vinegar before I have carbs or sugar in the morning or before meals, my glucose levels don’t spike as much. When I’m eating meals, as long as there’s a balance of proteins/fats/carbs, I can maintain a relatively decent blood glucose level. That’s been a game-changer for me in the past week in tracking what I’m eating.

But the best part of the FreeStyle Libre 2 is the peace of mind it gives me. Since it continuously monitors my glucose levels, I know that I’ll be alerted if anything goes too high or too low – which is crucial for those that have diabetes and rely on this device in a more serious way than I do.

So, if you’ve been curious about managing your blood sugar levels or just want an easier way to track them, I highly recommend the FreeStyle Libre 2. It’s made such a difference in my life just in a short period of time, and I know I’ll continue to use it moving forward!

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