One Coach’s Story: Lessons Learned from my CGM Experience

By Linda Meeks, ReCODE 2.0 Health Coach, Facilitator for the ReCODE Support Group

In 2015, I went on a quest to understand why my A1C (also called HbA1), a blood test that
reflects your average blood glucose (sugar) levels over the past 2-3 months, showed I was pre-
diabetic. My lab results showed 6.2% and the pre-diabetic range is 5.7-6.4%. I have never been
overweight, have always had a healthy diet, and regularly exercise.

The A1C test is one indicator of a metabolic problem, and a higher A1C is associated with nerve
damage, kidney disease, eye damage, heart disease, and cognitive impairment. Even in people
without diagnosed blood sugar disorders, glucose swings can contribute to fatigue, mood
fluctuations, brain fog, and weight gain over time. Needless to say, this is a huge concern for
anybody.

A fundamental part of metabolism is your body’s process of converting food into energy. Glucose (sugar) is one of the key fuels, and how your body handles it — especially how efficiently it keeps glucose in a healthy range — is a major indicator of metabolic health.

I found out that what I eat had a big impact on my glucose, and I also discovered that in my case, there was a genetic component that impacted me greatly. I had to discover which foods caused my glucose to spike and manage my diet accordingly, but at that time, the best way to do this was by pricking your finger 1 hour after you ate to see what your blood sugar was. My fingers hurt after a month of this, but I did figure it out. I was happy to learn that if I eat a very low-carb diet, I was able to get my A1C to 5.1-5.3%.

The good news is that we now have Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) to track glucose
without having to prick your finger. CGMs were originally developed to help people with
diabetes manage their glucose, but now we can use them to get a deeper insight into our metabolic health.

A CGM is a small wearable device that continuously tracks glucose levels in the interstitial fluid
just beneath your skin. The system includes a sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver, which is
usually a smartphone app. The sensor is usually placed on the back of the upper arm and
measures glucose every few minutes, 24/7.

Continuous glucose monitoring has evolved from a niche technology for Type 1 diabetics to a
mainstream health tool. Whether you’re managing diabetes or simply curious about how your
body responds to your lifestyle, a CGM offers an unparalleled view into your metabolic world —
empowering smarter decisions and a healthier life.

There are many CGMs now available on the market. There are four manufacturers, but I’ll focus on the monitors that most people are using to manage their metabolic health. The two primary companies are Abbott and Dexcom, and they make several different CGMs. Pricing depends on current market value, where you buy, and discounts, but they usually run between $35 to $60 each, with some being more expensive depending on the features. Insurance does not typically cover the expense of a CGM unless you are a diabetic on insulin or have a specialty insurance plan.

GCM Options

• Abbott Freestyle Libre 3 Plus – Prescription is required. Duration is 15 days.
• Abbott Lingo – Non-prescription available online. Duration is 14 days.
• Dexcom G7 – Prescription is required. Duration is 10 days.
• Dexcom Stello – Non-prescription available online. Duration is 15 days.

Many companies are now starting to integrate CGM data to provide you with a bigger picture of
your health. Some of these companies, like Levels Health or NutriSense, provide a program to
integrate the CGM data with food, sleep, and activity tracking. Also, OURA ring and Apple
Watch & Health are now integrating CGM data.

As a Health and Wellness Coach, I’m often the first to alert clients to a hidden issue sabotaging their well-being: poor metabolic health. Many don’t realize anything is wrong until we run lab work and start tracking their glucose with a CGM. The stats are staggering — nearly 98 million U.S. adults are prediabetic, yet over 80% have no idea. Left unchecked, this silent dysfunction drives inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and even cognitive decline. That’s why I believe everyone should wear a CGM for at least one month — it’s an eye-opening, empowering tool that can change the trajectory of your health.

Check out the guide for our ReCODE and PreCODE members: Is My Brain Getting Enough Fuel? (Tracking Glucose and Ketones) for step-by-step instructions on how to begin monitoring your metabolic health to optimize brain fuel.