Insulin Pump with Continuous Glucose Monitoring

April 20, 2006 —

The MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System is a two part system containing an insulin pump and a continuous blood glucose sensor that attaches to the pump and to the body. The system will relay blood glucose reading to the insulin pump every 5 minutes and sound an alarm if blood sugars are too high or too low.

Finger Testing Still Required with this Insulin Pump System

It is advised that people confirm readings with a finger-stick blood glucose test. ( After having tried an earlier version of continuous blood glucose monitor system (the Guardian RT), I highly recommend you follow these guidelines and verify readings with a finger glucose test. )The REAL-Time CGM System is indicated for those 18 years or older requiring insulin therapy. Please note, that does not mean that pump therapy is appropriate for every adult on insulin. Please discuss the appropriateness of it with your diabetes educator and educate yourself on diabetes pumps. They are expensive, they require work but the bonus is they are flexible and can provide a greater quality of life and greater blood sugar control for many people. Yes, insulin pumps can help you safely miss meals, sleep in, avoid lows and of course give meal insulin in a wide variety of flexible ways - like delayed over a long period of time to help with chinese and pizza!

Other points of interest regarding the MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System - both the pump and the continuous blood glucose monitor require insertion under the skin. That means having two insertions under the skin. Each should be replaced every 3 days. The continuous blood glucose monitor "electrodes" or bits that you insert under the skin are, well, expensive depending on your budget and your insurance coverage (if covered by insurance. Don't assume it will be. Ask). If you are considering this insulin pump, please ask the Minimed/Medtronic representative the cost of the sensors and the number of sensors hat must be purchased at one time (eg. do you have to buy a box of 5 or 10) and then follow up to ask if your insurance company will cover. Most people will not likely wear this continuous monitor all the time due to cost.

The MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System includes various bells and whistles found in other pumps including the ability to suggest insulin doses for specific carb intakes or for lowering high blood sugars. (eg. built in calculators).

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Benefits

The release of this pump does add a new dimension to diabetes care. Rather than relying solely on A1c and spot blood sugar testing, this pump allows people to record and later view trends throughout the entire day at 5 minute intervals. This can be especially useful for determining overnight trends in blood sugars. Trends can then be accommodated by programming the basal insulin of the insulin pump. So, even used periodically this continuous blood glucose monitor may prove very useful in identifying problem areas of the day.

For more information on this insulin pump, see the Minimed link on this page.

Leaving Continuous Glucose Monitoring to go Home: Tips to Lower Blood Sugar