Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your healthcare professional about your diabetes management. Individual symptoms, situations and circumstances may vary.

22/07/2026
 

Seeing the Bigger Picture 

So, what did I find out? I was totally amazed at what I was seeing on my phone from this little sensor on my arm. I could see what my glucose levels were doing in real time as opposed to finger pricking which only allowed you an instant in time.

I could see what different types of food, exercise and how my moods affected my levels. To me it was like getting a whole picture of my diabetes as opposed to a single piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

Why CGM Matters for People Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Why does this matter to anyone with Type 2 diabetes? In my peer support group, which I started in 2014, I have always said to people, before CGMs came on the market, that they should get a finger pricker to see what their blood glucose levels were doing. This would help them see how what they were eating and exercise affected their blood glucose levels. It did not matter if they were only on medication as this would help them understand what was happening with their diabetes. However, now that CGMs are available, they give a better understanding of glucose levels and I passionately believe people with Type 2 diabetes should have access to a CGM, especially those who are on insulin.

Why do I say this? The reason being if we are to manage our diabetes 24/7 then we need the tools to do this to the best of our abilities. An HbA1c is fine to measure over 2-3 months. However, Time in Range and the various graphs (daily, weekly, and monthly) give a better idea over a longer period of how we manage our diabetes along with the notes that you can add.

Confidence, Peace of Mind and Advocacy

What I have found over the years is the peace of mind that I have when I am sleeping, ill or going about my daily life that I will always get a notification if I am going hypo or hyper². This then allows me to make any adjustments in a timely manner.

Since 2014 I have been an advocate for myself and others, and I have always encouraged those in my peer support group to be their own advocates. What I tell my peer support group is always ask questions, also write down any questions that you want to ask the healthcare professional. Do not be afraid as you are going to be living with and managing this condition 24/7. As they say knowledge is power. I would also recommend that you research as much information as you can.

We are managing our diabetes 24/7; it is your health so tools like the Libre 2 Plus sensor can help you understand what’s happening with your glucose levels and ultimately help you prevent complications which may arise. And the sharing of data with your healthcare professional enables you to work together as a team³.

Ken Tait is a FreeStyle Libre Ambassador. All views are his own and not necessarily those of Abbott