How people get it: Some are sold over the counter for people who don't use insulin; others are by prescription.
The basics
What it is
A CGM measures sugar levels through the day and night with a tiny sensor. A CGM includes a wireless transmitter worn on the body.
Source: Mayo Clinic: Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how - Mayo Clinic ↗
How it works
- A CGM uses a device on the skin and a sensor under the skin.
- The transmitter sends sensor information to a program that shows blood sugar levels.
- The program is viewed on a receiver, a smartphone or an insulin pump.
- Some CGMs show readings at all times and may sound an alarm if blood sugar changes too fast.
- Other CGMs require running the receiver over the sensor to check blood sugar.
- With some CGMs, finger-stick blood tests are used to set the device, which is called calibration.
Source: Mayo Clinic: Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how - Mayo Clinic ↗
What people use it for
- People with diabetes may choose CGMs, especially people with type 1 diabetes.
- Blood sugar testing is used to help learn how diet and exercise affect blood sugar levels.
- Blood sugar testing is used to track the effect of diabetes medicine on blood sugar.
Source: Mayo Clinic: Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how - Mayo Clinic ↗
What the research has found so far
Newer CGM readings do not seem to be affected by standard doses of acetaminophen, up to 1,000 milligrams for an adult. Newer CGM readings also do not appear to be affected by ascorbic acid supplements under 500 milligrams.
Source: Mayo Clinic: Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how - Mayo Clinic ↗
On continuous glucose monitors and aging, PubMed lists 530 trials in people, 799 studies that watched people over time, 3 animal and lab studies. See the counts and searches
Capped at stage 2: the large trials this search finds are mostly of insulin pumps and diabetes care that use glucose monitors (for example PubMed 41134589), not of glucose monitors for adults without diabetes.
A stage shows how far research has got, not whether it will work for you. How stages work
Side effects and risks
Continuous glucose monitors are described as sometimes still needing a regular meter to confirm results and set up the device.
Source: Mayo Clinic: Blood glucose meter: How to choose - Mayo Clinic ↗
Who should be careful
- Pregnancy, dialysis and being very ill may affect CGM blood sugar readings.
- A person taking medicines that affect accuracy may be told to double-check CGM results with a standard meter.
- Rarely, a regular meter is still needed to confirm CGM results and to set up the device.
Sources: Mayo Clinic: Blood sugar testing: Why, when and how - Mayo Clinic ↗ · Mayo Clinic: Blood glucose meter: How to choose - Mayo Clinic ↗
Questions to ask your doctor
- Would continuous glucose monitors be useful for me, and what should I do with the readings?
- Which type or model would you trust, and how do I use it so the readings are accurate?
- Could I bring it to an appointment to check it against your equipment?
- How often should I share the results with you, and which numbers should make me call?
This is general information gathered from the sources listed, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before starting anything new.
Devices you can buy
Read from each maker's page. The research stage is for this kind of device, not proof that a particular model is accurate or right for you.
What experts say
No expert views collected yet. Each one we add names the person and links to where they said it.
What others are writing
Recent articles about Continuous glucose monitors from health journalists, hospitals and universities. We link to them; we don't write or endorse them.
Continuous glucose monitors: New guidelines recommend expanding CGM use for people with diabetes ↗
“The latest diabetes guidelines now recommend continuous glucose monitors for many people with type 2 diabetes. The real-time data from these devices may help reduce heart-related risks in people with diabetes by helping to reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and body weight.”
New diabetes guidelines recommend continuous glucose monitors for many people with type 2 diabetes to help reduce heart-related risks.
How to think about blood sugar during the holidays ↗
“And a lot of what she's saying actually matches the experience that I've been having. So my levels spike after meals, especially if they're super carb-heavy or if I'm basically just sitting around for most of the day.”
A health correspondent describes wearing a continuous glucose monitor to manage prediabetes and how it tracks blood sugar after meals.
Recent research
New studies that mention Continuous glucose monitors appear here after the morning update.
Trials
ClinicalTrials.gov lists 248 registered trials that mention Continuous glucose monitors, for any condition (the count in The science below). Here we show the ones about aging. See them all ↗
The science
Counted from PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov on Oct 30, 2026, using one search for Continuous glucose monitors in relation to aging. Each link opens the exact search.
- Randomized trials in people
- 421 search ↗
- Large trials (multicenter or phase 3)
- 104 search ↗
- Phase 3 trials
- 9 search ↗
- Trials in people
- 530 search ↗
- Studies that watched people over time
- 799 search ↗
- Animal and lab studies
- 3 search ↗
- Registered trials
- 248 search ↗
PubMed search used
("continuous glucose monitor*"[tiab] OR "flash glucose monitor*"[tiab] OR "Continuous Glucose Monitoring"[mh]) AND (aging[tiab] OR ageing[tiab] OR longevity[tiab] OR healthspan[tiab] OR "older adults"[tiab] OR "older people"[tiab] OR elderly[tiab] OR "Aged"[mh])
Counts are search results, so they include some records that only mention Continuous glucose monitors. How we count
Cite or share this page
Longevity Progress. (n.d.). Continuous glucose monitors: Research stage and evidence. Retrieved October 30, 2026, from https://longevityprogress.com/treatments/continuous-glucose-monitors
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The badge shows this treatment's current research stage and links back here. It updates by itself when the stage changes.