Diabetes Technology

Continuous glucose monitoring

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are devices that monitor glucose levels in people with diabetes. The devices are another tool for the management of diabetes. They can be helpful in minimising the number of finger-pricks your child needs. They can also help you to see trends in your child's glucose levels. 

Many of the devices allow for remote monitoring. 

How the devices work

CGMs use sensors which you insert into the fatty layer under the skin.

In CGM, a transmitter sends data constantly to a receiver, a compatible insulin pump or a smart device (such as a phone or tablet).

Sensor glucose readings are taken from interstitial fluid, not from blood. Interstitial fluid is the fluid that surrounds the cells of your tissue below your skin. Glucose moves from blood vessels and capillaries first and then into interstitial fluid. When rising or falling quickly (for example, after a meal and/or insulin) sensor glucose will be a bit behind the changes in glucose monitoring. So, it will almost always be a little different. 

It's important to check glucose levels by finger-prick if symptoms don't match sensor glucose, or you have concerns.

One of the real benefits of using continuous glucose monitoring with sensors is that it lets you see patterns and trends which can be harder to see with intermittent finger-prick glucose testing.

CGM allows families to set alarms for high and low glucose levels.

You can find out more information about different CGM devices available in Aotearoa New Zealand (PDF, 549 KB).

Insulin pumps

An insulin pump is a small device that constantly delivers rapid acting insulin. Insulin pumps reduce the need for multiple injections a day. 

How pumps work

A pump constantly delivers basal insulin to help with growth and development. You can programme it to meet your child’s individual needs. 

The pump also delivers pre-programmed bolus doses of insulin when your child eats carbohydrate food or when the blood glucose levels are high.

The insulin within the main pump unit is stored within an insulin reservoir. The reservoir connects to a thin piece of tubing. This tubing connects to a cannula inserted into the subcutaneous layer of fat, usually in the abdomen or buttock.

Families of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) considering insulin pump therapy as a treatment option need specialised training and education. Local diabetes teams provide this.

See more information about the 2 funded insulin pumps available in Aotearoa New Zealand (PDF, 609KB).

Automated insulin delivery

Pumps can interact with continuous glucose monitoring devices and increase or decrease the basal insulin in response to rising or falling glucose levels through an algorithm (automatic calculations). Used in this way, the funded pump options available in Aotearoa New Zealand (from 1 October 2024) can help prevent hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Where to get more information

Pharmac's website has a lot of information.

The Diabetes New Zealand website has information about the recent Pharmac announcements for people living with diabetes and their whānau.

Companies who distribute the funded technology:

• MediRay New Zealand
• New Zealand Medical & Scientific (NZMS)
• Pharmaco

Speak to your healthcare team who can also answer your questions.