Managing your diabetes requires a lot of work and dedication. To make the matters even more complicated, you have to prick your finger each time you want to measure your blood sugar levels. But that might change very soon. According to recent developments, no-prick blood sugar tests may soon become the new normal.
How the Revolution Started
Two US-based companies, GlucoLight Corp. and OrSense Ltd, launched the early versions of no-prick blood sugar tests back in 2007. They aimed to help people with diabetes track their blood sugar levels throughout the day.
Yet, despite their name, they didn’t completely eliminate the need for finger pricking. Users still had to do it twice a day to calibrate the device for more accurate results. Of course, many patients failed to do this because they still saw it as a nuisance.
Luckily, this may no longer be a problem. The FDA recently approved a new no-prick blood sugar test that’s already in production. Unlike the earlier versions, this one lives up to its name. There is thus no need to prick your finger at all to adjust the device.
How the No-Prick Blood Sugar Test Works
Abbott Laboratories is the company behind this new product. It consists of a small white sensor and a reading device. People have to attach the sensor to their upper arm. It will then record their blood sugar levels in real time.
To see the results, all they need to do is to place the reader over the sensor. They will then be able to see their current blood glucose levels. What’s more, the sensor also provides an overview of their blood sugar levels for the past eight hours.
Room for Improvement
Although this no-prick blood sugar test makes managing your diabetes much easier, it’s not without its shortcomings. Its main downside is that it doesn’t work if you’re using an insulin pump.
But other manufacturers are also stepping up their game. One of them has developed a more advanced version that works with an insulin pump. Not only that, but it sends the results to the insulin pumps to adjust the amount of insulin it injects.
Further similar products are also in the works. So, if finger pricking has put you off controlling your blood sugar levels before, things are about to become much easier for you.
