Why I don’t get excited about Diabetes technology breakthroughs
July 29, 2011
Poor @alfredtwo – He twitted to me about Microsoft’s work on a technology that will allow us to know our blood sugar from our tears.
I was not excited.
I was diagnosed in 2002 and I remember hearing a Paul Harvey segment on the some time shortly after. So I don’t know how long that tree has been chased, but it’s been in the media for somewhere around 8 years.
So far, the only way to know what someone’s blood sugar is, is to examine their blood. There is a standard deviation on meters of something like 30%. That means when I stick my finger and the meter reads 100, it could be anywhere between 70 and 130. Not real accurate.
Oh, and there is lagtime between the brain and the finger. Bigger lagtime if I test the surface of my arm.
CGMS technology was bandied about for years. I’m tried the watch and two version of the Dexcom and I haven’t been happy with the accuracy. Also haven’t been real happy about the procedure and the cost.
Oh, and do you know how many times mice have been cured of diabetes since my diagnosis?
So sorry, but I’ve been around the block long enough to know not to get excited until it’s on the pharmacy shelf and I can purchase it without having to get rid of one of my dogs.