Whether you’re living with diabetes, have prediabetes, or simply want deeper insights into your health—CGMs (Continuous Glucose Monitors) are transforming how Canadians track and understand their glucose levels. This guide will help you understand how CGMs work, who they’re for, and how to choose the right one.
To explore your options, check pricing, and get support from a certified diabetes educator, download the Endor Health app and book a free virtual appointment.
A CGM is a small wearable device that continuously tracks your glucose (sugar) levels throughout the day and night. Instead of finger pricks, CGMs use a tiny waterproof sensor placed just under the skin to measure glucose in the interstitial fluid. The sensor transmits data to your phone or reader, giving you real-time insights, trends, and alerts.
CGMs are used by:
CGMs consist of a:
Clinical studies continue to show CGMs improve glycemic control, reduce time spent in hypo/hyperglycemia, and increase confidence and engagement in self-management.
Curious if a CGM is right for you? Start with a free virtual consultation in the care section of the Endor Health app.
Wearing a CGM can help you:
The Freestyle Libre 3 Plus is the smallest CGM sensor available.
The Medtronic Guardian 4 is for use only with a Medtronic Insulin Pump.
CGMs measure your glucose levels throughout the day and night. But how do we know how accurate their readings are?
Accuracy is measured using something called MARD (Mean Absolute Relative Difference). In simple terms, MARD compares the CGM’s readings to lab-tested blood sugar results. A lower MARD means the CGM is more accurate. For example, a MARD of 9% means the CGM readings are, on average, within 9% of lab-tested values.
Accurate readings are important for everyone using a CGM, but especially for people who take insulin, either through injections or a pump. If your CGM reading is off, it could lead to taking too much or too little insulin — which can cause low or high blood sugars. That’s why choosing a CGM with strong accuracy is key for safe and effective diabetes management.
Several factors can affect the accuracy of CGM readings. Accuracy may be reduced during the sensor’s warm-up period, and rapid changes in blood sugar—such as after eating or exercising—can create a delay between your actual blood glucose and the CGM reading.
Lying on the sensor (called “compression”) can sometimes lead to falsely low readings, and dehydration may reduce the quality of interstitial fluid readings. Proper sensor placement on approved body sites is important, as off-label sites may yield less accurate results. Skin issues, poor adhesion, or scarring at the insertion site can also interfere with performance. While most newer CGMs no longer require calibration, some older systems do, and incorrect calibration can affect accuracy. Additionally, certain medications (like high-dose acetaminophen) and damaged or expired sensors may impact results.
If a reading seems off, it’s safest to confirm with a fingerstick poke and glucometer, especially before making insulin dosing decisions.
All CGMs available in Canada allow you to share your glucose data with healthcare providers and loved ones through connected apps and cloud-based platforms. This can be especially helpful for people who use insulin or are managing diabetes closely with a care team.
Sharing your data allows your healthcare providers to review your glucose trends and make more informed decisions about your treatment. It can also give family members or caregivers peace of mind and help them support you more effectively, particularly in situations where you’re at risk for low or high blood sugar.
Overall, data sharing makes diabetes management more connected, proactive, and collaborative.
CGM costs can vary by sensor and province, but many are covered by private insurance or provincial programs (e.g., ADP in Ontario, BC PharmaCare, Alberta Blue Cross). Some provincial funding is based on specific eligibility criteria and eligibility can be assessed by your diabetes physician. A prescription is needed to bill a provincial or private payer for CGM sensors.
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