Managing type 1 diabetes can be a challenging and often isolating experience. I know this firsthand, as a type 1 diabetic for over 14 years. Despite our best efforts, the condition can result in unpredictable and dangerous blood glucose fluctuations that can lead to serious complications. Fortunately, there are many tools and resources available to help people with diabetes manage their condition, and one of the most powerful of these is sharing blood glucose data with family, friends, or other followers.
Sharing your continuous glucose monitor (CGM) data can have a significant impact on your diabetes management by providing accountability, support, and insight into your condition. By giving others access to your blood glucose readings, you are creating a support network that can help you stay motivated, make better decisions, and achieve better health outcomes.
And just to be clear, when I say “others”, I mean pretty much anyone:
- Family (parents, children, siblings, etc.),
- Spouse/partner/significant other,
- Friends,
- Or even, in some cases, a total internet stranger that may want an accountability buddy just like you.
In this blog post, I’ll be going through some of the top reasons why you should consider sharing your CGM data with someone else.
Benefit #1: Improved Health Outcomes
Sharing your CGM data with others can lead to improved outcomes, including increased time in range (TIR) and fewer hypoglycemic events. Studies have shown that people who share their CGM data with others are more likely to achieve better blood glucose control than those who don’t. By working together with others to manage your diabetes, you can achieve better health outcomes and a better quality of life.
One such study surveyed over 300 adults with type 1 diabetes and who share their CGM data with at least one family/friend follower. The benefits they showed that were related to data sharing were astounding:
- 62% felt that sharing data resulted in fewer episodes of hypoglycemia,
- 36% felt that it reduced their stress,
- 52% reported better sleep, and
- 47% thought that data sharing contributed to A1C improvement.
Of course, the study has its limitations – it was a simple survey with no quantitative measurement of outcomes – but the point still stands: sharing your data with a follower has the potential to drastically improve your overall health.
Benefit #2: Accountability and Motivation
Another significant benefit of sharing your CGM data with others is increased accountability. When you know that others are seeing your blood glucose data, you may be more likely to stick to your management plan. This can be especially helpful if you’re struggling to stay motivated or if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your diabetes management.
Sharing your data can also help you build a support network of people who understand what you’re going through and can offer encouragement and advice. By connecting with others who are living with diabetes or who have loved ones with the condition, you can find a sense of community that can help you feel less alone and more empowered to manage your diabetes.
Benefit #3: Better Decision-Making
In addition to providing accountability and support, sharing your data can also help you make better decisions about your diabetes management. When you share your data with others, they can help you identify patterns and trends that you might not have noticed on your own. This can help you make better decisions about insulin dosing, diet, and exercise and can ultimately lead to better health outcomes.
The same study from before identified three other positive actions that can occur if you have a follower:
- Celebrating successes related to glycemic control
- Providing encouragement when glycemic control is challenging, and
- Teamwork discussions about how the follower and yourself should respond to out-of-range blood glucose values.
Where Does Gluroo Fit in?
So we know that sharing your glucose data with others is a great idea. But now, how do you actually do that? Gluroo is the perfect tool for this.
Gluroo is a collaborative diabetes management tool that works like a chat app. You can invite anyone to be a part of your GluCrew so that they can see your blood glucose and insulin levels, exercise logs, device health and more – all in one intuitive app. You can invite friends, family, nurses, babysitters, caregivers, and more to your GluCrew to get all of the benefits of sharing your data with others.
Other Considerations
If you’re now considering sharing your CGM data with others, it’s important to establish clear boundaries and expectations. Make sure that the people you’re sharing with understand the limitations of your data and know what to do in case of an emergency. With the right support network in place, sharing your blood glucose data can help you better manage your diabetes and improve your overall health and well-being. So don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with others who can help you on your diabetes journey.
It’s worth noting that Gluroo has a Facebook community as well that serves as a wonderful support network for many of us.
Conclusion
Sharing your CGM data with others can have a significant positive impact on your diabetes management. By providing accountability, support, and insight into your condition, you can achieve better health outcomes and a better quality of life. Improved time in range, fewer hypoglycemic events, and better decision-making are just some of the benefits that come from sharing your data. With tools like Gluroo, it’s easier than ever to connect with others and build a support network that can help you on your diabetes journey. Establish clear boundaries and expectations, and don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with others who can help you better manage your diabetes and improve your overall well-being.