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CGM tracking drove one reporter to metabolic madness

Source: theverge.com

TL;DR

A reporter tested Dexcom Stelo and Abbott Lingo CGMs for a year to optimize metabolism despite normal blood sugar.
Constant data monitoring led to hypervigilance, disordered eating, weight gain, and worsened fatty liver.
CGMs helped diagnose issues treatable by medication, but fueled anxiety without clear benefits for non-diabetics.

The story at a glance

A senior reporter for The Verge wore over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors from Dexcom and Abbott for 13 months to track and improve her metabolism, prompted by family diabetes history, PCOS, and running fatigue. The devices measure interstitial glucose trends, now marketed to non-diabetics for biohacking. This personal account comes amid rising hype from influencers, apps like January AI, and figures like Casey Means, Trump's surgeon general nominee.[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/features/907359/cgms-optimizing-metabolism-dexcom-abbott-wearables-health-tech)

Key points

CGMs like Dexcom Stelo (15-day wear, alerts) and Abbott Lingo (Lingo Score, no alerts) cost about $100/month and target non-diabetics, prediabetics, and Type 2s not on insulin.
Author's normal A1C masked issues like non-alcoholic fatty liver, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance; overnight "Dawn Phenomenon" spikes over 100mg/dL caused anxiety.
Data inconsistencies arose from sensor compression during side-sleeping, device failures (one lasted 48 hours), and interstitial vs. blood glucose lag.
Experts at Johns Hopkins, Boston University, and Diabetes Research Institute say evidence for non-diabetic use is thin; no consensus on ideal ranges beyond 70-140mg/dL.
Monitoring obsession triggered disordered eating (skipping meals, avoiding pizza), social withdrawal, overexercising, and 25-pound gain.
Medication fixed glucose patterns, dropped liver enzymes 65%, normalized cholesterol, and led to 15-pound loss after lifestyle tweaks failed alone.

Details and context

The reporter started testing before a conference, drawn by social media promotion from biohackers and athletes, plus integrations like Oura with Dexcom and Withings with Abbott. Government interest grows, with RFK Jr. pushing universal wearables and Casey Means linking metabolic fixes to chronic disease reversal in her book Good Energy. Studies warn wearables can worsen eating disorders in at-risk people.

Sensors stick to the arm, snagging on clothes or bedsheets, leaving adhesive goo; non-diabetics lack validated interpretation tools, as endocrinologists disagree on post-meal peaks. One small prediabetic study tied time above range to diabetes risk, but broader research is needed. After interventions from colleagues, the author quit raw optimization for medical treatment.[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/features/907359/cgms-optimizing-metabolism-dexcom-abbott-wearables-health-tech)

Key quotes

"Access to CGMs for people who aren't diabetic makes sense, but they're no silver bullet for metabolic optimization."[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/features/907359/cgms-optimizing-metabolism-dexcom-abbott-wearables-health-tech)

Why it matters

Wearables promise metabolic insights but risk turning health tracking into obsession, especially without strong evidence for healthy users. For consumers, this means potential anxiety and disordered habits outweigh benefits unless underlying issues exist; companies like Dexcom and Abbott expand markets amid hype. Watch for more FDA guidance, long-term studies on non-diabetics, and outcomes from political pushes like Means' role.[[1]](https://www.theverge.com/features/907359/cgms-optimizing-metabolism-dexcom-abbott-wearables-health-tech)