Has your A1C ever felt like a scarlet letter?
A number that “defines” you every 3 months. And even if you’re on target or lowering your A1C gradually, there’s a lot of pressure around the “perfect” number—a number that feels weighed by the fear of complications and disappointment. We get it, and we get that it’s not empowering. There are tools to overcome this feeling and get a more accurate, detailed picture of your diabetes management that gives you insights that help you take action.
Currently, more than 9 million people worldwide are using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to manage their diabetes. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that regular use of CGM devices can lead to reductions in A1C levels and/or low glucose levels! There’s also evidence that CGM-based metrics, like time in range, correlate with reduced risk of developing or progressing diabetes-related complications.
While A1C has been the standard for many years, because it’s just an average, it does not capture highs and lows, which results in an incomplete picture of how someone is doing with their management. A significant drawback of relying solely on A1C is its potential to negatively affect psychosocial well-being, or mental health. Much like academic grades summarize performance throughout the grading period/semester, A1C provides a numerical summary of a person’s glucose management over time, which can feel like a passing or failing grade.
That’s where CGM metrics, like time in range, come in.
Time in range shifts the focus from the rigid “pass/fail” framework of A1C to seeing every day as a new opportunity. CGMs provide minute-to-minute insights into glucose levels throughout the day and offer immediate feedback on adjustments to diet, exercise, and medications! It can be personalized to meet your needs—which empowers you to meet the goals that are important to you, not just your doctor.
This shift has the potential to transform your diabetes management from a judgmental experience to an empowering one. By focusing on small steps, you can make adjustments along the way, learning from each experience.
For example, if you are frustrated with getting high glucose levels at work, you can use time in range to identify what days seem better or worse, and identify the cause of your spikes.
Talk with your healthcare team to set realistic, individualized time in range goals that work for you. This can help change your perspective on your diabetes management—putting the action in your hands and taking the power away from A1C.
Get started with time in range today!