I’m interested in getting a smartwatch for myself, and also thinking about one as a gift.
I have a friend who’s diabetic and uses an iPhone to monitor their blood sugar. Would they need an Apple Watch for it to work with their iPhone, or can they use something else? I’m not too familiar with how cross-platform stuff works, especially for something as specific as this. I’d love to hear your thoughts and recommendations.
What do you think are the top uses for a smartwatch like this?
I wouldn’t trust any of them, some of them give totally fake data. If it were that easy, no one would bother pricking their finger.
None of them can actually read your blood sugar directly, but some can pick up readings from your CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) or from your CGM via your phone.
It depends a lot on your phone and the CGM system you’re using.
From a quick Google search:
Here’s how a CGM works:
A sensor goes under the skin every 7–14 days.
It measures glucose in the fluid just under your skin.
The sensor sends the readings wirelessly to a receiver, phone, insulin pump, or smartwatch.
You can check the readings in real-time.
You can find CGM sensors on sites like Amazon, eBay, or AliExpress.
They are generally affordable, especially if you need one for self-monitoring.
They work with both Android and Apple devices.
For older folks, these devices are helpful for managing blood glucose and monitoring things like fatigue and headaches.
A good smartwatch can be accurate for pulse rate too, especially if you’re at rest or walking normally. But they might struggle to track heart rate during exercise or other activities.
@Finnick
Thanks for the info! I’ll remember this next time someone asks about BG readings on a smartwatch.
As for the heart rate: It’s true, the simpler watches do a pretty good job at monitoring heart rate when at rest or during light activity. But they usually don’t do as well during exercise or intense activity.
Fife said:
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Libre 2 measures blood sugar and reports through an iOS app. That’s all I know. Thanks for being unhelpful.
Fife said:
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Libre 2 measures blood sugar and reports through an iOS app. That’s all I know. Thanks for being unhelpful.
That’s not a smartwatch though. It’s a patch that’s specifically designed for glucose monitoring and it actually penetrates the skin.
There aren’t any smartwatches that can reliably measure glucose levels.
Fife said:
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Libre 2 measures blood sugar and reports through an iOS app. That’s all I know. Thanks for being unhelpful.
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