5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Managing Diabetes with SIBIONICS GS1
When you have diabetes, being open with your doctor is the key to good health. Wearing an ongoing glucose monitor (CGM) like the SIBIONICS GS1 gives you immediate glucose data, but you may still need guidance about how to use it most effectively. The following are five simple questions to ask at your doctor's visit. They will help you get the most out of your SIBIONICS GS1 and gain optimal control of diabetes.
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How Can I Interpret My Glucose Trends?
The SIBIONICS GS1 gives you a graph of your glucose a few minutes at a time, and raw numbers and arrows are confusing. Inform your doctor what a healthy trend is and what to watch out for. Determine your best glucose range by day and night, know how much variation is usual post-prandial or post-exercise, and learn how to identify patterns that need action, like recurring highs after breakfast or nighttime lows.
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What Are My Target Glucose Levels?
Your target range can depend on age, health, and the type of diabetes. Knowing your own targets helps you to set your GS1 app alarms correctly. Set your ideal pre‑meal and post‑meal glucose targets, ask about safe low and high levels—how to treat a low and summon help—and discuss how targets would be changed if you have an illness, you're away from home, or you're pregnant.
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How Do I Fix My Insulin or Medication When My Glucose Is Out of Range?
Real-time data from the GS1 can warn you when you are high or low. Take precise instructions from your doctor about how to respond safely. Know how much quick-acting insulin to take if you have an elevated glucose level, what and how much you should eat or drink if you are below your low setting, and how to replace long-acting insulin or other medication if you discover a pattern of highs and lows during several days.
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How Can I Use Diet and Exercise to Better Control My Glucose?
Food and exercise have a major impact on glucose. Your GS1 information can tell you exactly how different activities and meals affect you. Take copies of your GS1 graphs after regular meals and exercise and ask what foods you need to substitute or portion‑control. Ask how to plan exercise or adjust snacks to avoid lows, and get general meal and snack guidance—how many carbs, protein, and healthy fats at each meal to keep your glucose level.
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What Technical Tips Should I Know About Operating the SIBIONICS GS1?
Even a wonderful CGM system will have its quirks. Consult with your physician about where to wear sensors—where on your belly or arm works best for you. Discover how often to confirm GS1 readings with a finger‑stick, how to handle lost contact or sensor error, and how to send your GS1 reports to your doctor for the most helpful feedback.
Preparation for Your Visit
To make the most of these questions, bring with you a record of your recent glucose values or pictures of your GS1 app, your records of symptoms you noticed when your glucose was high or low, a chart of your food, exercise, and medication doses over the last week, and any confusing or alarming alerts that you received. Bringing this information helps your physician make specific suggestions that are relevant to your daily activities.
After Your Appointment
Keep your app settings current by resetting your high and low glucose alerts to your doctor's goals. Follow your doctor's and GS1 advice to eat and exercise. Make safe changes to your medicines based on the doctor's instructions when you get out-of-range results. Refer to these questions and your data to discuss them at follow-up visits and modify your care as your needs change.
