Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have traditionally been reserved for people with type 1 diabetes or those using insulin injections, but groundbreaking new research shows that people with type 2 diabetes who aren't on insulin can also benefit significantly from real-time glucose tracking. Two major studies presented at the Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes conference in Barcelona reveal that CGM technology helps a much broader population manage their blood sugar and improve their health outcomes. Who Actually Benefits From CGM Technology? For years, continuous glucose monitors were primarily prescribed to people managing type 1 diabetes or those taking multiple daily insulin injections. However, the landscape is shifting. A landmark study called FreeDM2, conducted across 24 clinical sites in the United Kingdom with 303 participants, tested whether CGM technology could help people with type 2 diabetes using basal insulin, a slower-acting form of insulin taken once or twice daily. The results were striking. After four months, people using Abbott's FreeStyle Libre CGM system achieved a 0.6% greater reduction in A1C, a key measure of average blood sugar control over three months, compared to those using traditional finger-stick blood tests. Additionally, participants spent approximately 2.5 more hours per day, or about 10% more time, in a healthy glucose range of 70 to 180 mg/dL. What makes this finding particularly important is that many participants were already on advanced diabetes medications. "Even when people with Type 2 diabetes are already receiving advanced therapies, such as SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists, adding real-time glucose visibility delivered meaningful improvements," explained Lala Leelarathna, associate professor of metabolic medicine at Imperial College London and co-lead investigator of the FreeDM2 study. Why Does Real-Time Glucose Data Matter So Much? The power of CGM technology lies in its ability to provide immediate feedback. Rather than relying on finger-stick tests that capture only a single moment in time, CGMs continuously track glucose levels throughout the day and night. This real-time information allows people to see how specific foods, activities, stress, and sleep patterns affect their blood sugar in ways that traditional testing simply cannot reveal. In the FreeDM2 study, participants made their own adjustments to diet, basal insulin doses, and physical activity based on the insights their CGM provided. "People were able to proactively use the insights CGM provided to adjust their diet, basal insulin and activity to deliver better outcomes," noted Emma Wilmot, associate professor of diabetes and endocrinology at the University of Nottingham School of Medicine and co-lead investigator. A separate interventional study from Italy reinforced these findings. After three months of using Abbott's FreeStyle Libre system, 88 adults with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin showed better average glucose levels, more time in a healthy glucose range, and improved quality of life. How to Get the Most From Continuous Glucose Monitoring - Track patterns, not just numbers: Use your CGM data to identify which foods, activities, stress levels, and sleep patterns affect your glucose most significantly, then make informed adjustments based on your personal patterns. - Adjust medications gradually: Work with your healthcare provider to use CGM insights to fine-tune your basal insulin dose and other medications, making small changes based on real data rather than guesswork. - Combine with other therapies: CGM technology works best alongside other diabetes medications like SGLT2 inhibitors or GLP-1 receptor agonists, providing additional benefits even when you're already on advanced treatments. - Monitor time in range: Focus on spending more time in your target glucose range (typically 70 to 180 mg/dL) rather than obsessing over individual readings, as this better reflects overall control. The broader implications of these studies are significant. Currently, across Europe and many other regions, CGM reimbursement often focuses exclusively on people using multiple daily insulin injections, leaving many people on basal insulin without insurance coverage. The FreeDM2 and Italian studies provide strong evidence that insurance companies and healthcare systems should expand access to CGM technology for people with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin therapy. Dexcom, another major CGM manufacturer, is also presenting new data supporting expanded access. According to the company, data from its multi-center primary care registry shows that after one year of using Dexcom G7, patients with type 2 diabetes not using insulin see significant improvement in blood sugar levels and weight management. This reinforces the case that CGM benefits extend well beyond the insulin-dependent population. The CGM market itself is growing rapidly. According to market analysis, the continuous glucose monitor market is expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 9.85% and is projected to reach a valuation of $15.69 billion by 2035. As the market grows and competition increases, costs may decrease, potentially making this technology more accessible to the millions of people who could benefit from it. However, access remains a critical barrier. An estimated 63 million people worldwide rely on insulin to manage type 2 diabetes, yet real-world studies show only 18% to 30% of those using basal insulin are reaching their A1C goals. This gap contributes to an estimated $217 billion in annual diabetes healthcare costs, indicating that millions of people still need better tools and support to achieve healthy glucose ranges. The evidence from these landmark studies is clear: continuous glucose monitoring technology should no longer be considered exclusively for people with type 1 diabetes or those on multiple daily insulin injections. For people with type 2 diabetes on basal insulin, CGM technology offers a practical, evidence-based tool to improve blood sugar control, spend more time in healthy glucose ranges, and ultimately reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. As healthcare systems and insurance companies review this new evidence, expanding access to CGM technology could transform diabetes care for millions of people worldwide.
