Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, have become increasingly popular with people who do not live with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as a way to observe the impact of activity and food on their blood-glucose levels.
While increased visibility of T1D technology can help normalize an advanced way to manage what is often an invisible condition, can wearing a CGM benefit people without T1D? Breakthrough T1D takes a look.
What are continuous glucose monitors?
Continuous glucose monitors are small, wearable devices that continuously measure a person’s blood-glucose levels. They are primarily used in place of glucose meters and finger pokes. A sensor just under the skin measures the glucose levels in real time. The levels are then relayed to a receiver, smartphone, watch, or insulin pump, which displays the readings.
How do CGMs benefit people living with T1D?
Continuous glucose monitors have been transformative for daily type 1 diabetes management. They have proven to:
- Lower HbA1c levels
- Reduce episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Reduce the risk of complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
- Increase time-in-range
Breakthrough T1D has played a pivotal role in the development and accessibility of CGMs for improved health outcomes in people living with type 1 diabetes.
In 2008, a Breakthrough T1D-funded clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of CGMs in helping to manage blood sugar, with lower HbA1c levels and reduced rates of severe hypoglycemia in people living with T1D. This led to broader health insurance coverage and, ultimately, broader use of CGMs in the T1D community. The expansion of Medicare coverage of CGMs in 2022 also helped increase their use.
CGMs also have remarkable benefits during pregnancy with T1D. A 2017 study co-funded by Breakthrough T1D and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research showed that CGM use before and during pregnancy improves the health outcomes for both mothers and babies while reducing costs for neonatal hospitalization.
Today, eight CGMs are available in the U.S., and several are used in automated insulin delivery systems.
Unlocking access
Though T1D therapies like continuous glucose monitors are approved for use in the U.S., that isn’t enough. Breakthrough T1D tirelessly advocates for insurance coverage and the adoption of these therapies so that the entire T1D community can benefit from them.
Are there benefits to using a CGM if you don’t have type 1 diabetes?
For people without diabetes, CGM use is still considered investigational. “Early studies suggest CGMs may help detect abnormal blood sugar patterns in those with elevated risk—such as individuals who are overweight, have a strong family history of diabetes, or show borderline lab values—sometimes revealing glucose variability that standard tests might miss,” said Amin Ghavami Nejad, Senior Research Scientist at Breakthrough T1D.
There is also interest in using CGMs among athletes to monitor for exercise-related hypoglycemia and in exploring how blood sugar fluctuations may relate to cardiovascular risk. However, CGMs are not FDA-approved for individuals without diabetes, and there is no established clinical framework for interpreting the data in this population. More research is needed before CGM use in people without diabetes can be broadly recommended.
The role of continuous glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, continues to grow. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2025 Standards of Care recommended CGM use for adults with T2D who use insulin based on evidence that they improve glucose control, reduce hypoglycemia, and help patients make more informed daily decisions. The recent launch of Dexcom’s over-the-counter CGM, Stelo, also reflects rising interest in expanding access for people with T2D not using insulin and those with prediabetes, though this remains an evolving space and is not yet fully supported by clinical guidelines.
Breakthrough T1D will continue to support research in this area to accelerate therapies and access that can benefit those living with T1D and beyond.
