Glucowatch: Diabetes Testing Watch

When should diabetics check their blood sugar? With Glucowatch - the diabetes testing watch - every 20 minutes.

Cygnus received FDA approval to market its Glucowatch in Spring 2001. This diabetes testing device will be worn as a watch and provide blood sugar level readings from fluids in the skin. Blood sugar level readings will be provided every 20 minutes for 12 hours. Sounds great, right? But, is it right for you? Check out some of the facts before you purchase.

• The diabetic testing watch will need to be calibrated twice a day. This is done by entering information from your standard fingerstick test.
  
  
• The Glucowatch IS NOT considered to be a replacement for the standard fingerstick, but a complement to it.
  
  
• There is a three-hour delay before blood sugar readings are provided after each calibration.
  
  
• Sweat can interfere with accurate readings.
  
  
• Half of the people tested have had irritations from the autosensors on the back of the watch.
  
  
• Readings have been found to differ from fingerstick tests 25% of the time and at a variance of greater than 30%.
  
  
• This diabetes testing watch is not recommended for people on a sliding scale since the readings are not accurate enough to base insulin adjustments on.
  
  
• The Glucowatch is less reliable at detecting low blood sugar levels, then high.
  
  
• It is not currently available for people under 18 years of age.
  
  
• A prescription from your physician will be required to obtain the Glucowatch.
  
  
• This diabetic testing watch is expected to retail at $400 and the autosensors at $4-5 each. The watch requires 2 autosensors at a time, and replaced at each calibration (equivalent to approximately 4/day).
  
  
• At this time it is still unknown when the watch will be available on the market.