Another form of glucose monitoring, known as flash glucose monitoring, consists of a sensor and a reader. The sensor is placed at the back of the upper arm and once inserted, may be used for up to 14 days.

Using the reader to flash across the sensor, the user is able to view:

• The current interstitial glucose level,
• The direction in which the glucose is heading, and
• The preceding 8 hours' trajectory.

"Unlike real-time continuous glucose monitoring, flash glucose monitoring does not require blood glucose (fingerstick) calibrations. However, it is unable to provide alarms, and the glucose reading is only retrieved when the user flashes the reader across the sensor, explains Dr Daphne Su-Lyn Gardner, Senior Consultant from the Department of Endocrinology, Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group.

Using the reader to flash across the sensor, the user is able
to know the glucose level without the need for a finger prick.