Ms. Khanh Loan, 73, of TP HCM, had frequently experienced dangerous hypoglycemic episodes, including comas, during sleep. For over two years, using a 3P continuous glucose monitor has allowed her to proactively identify blood sugar changes and provided additional data for her and her doctor to optimize her treatment.

Ms. Khanh Loan uses the 3P monitor and views readings on her phone. Photo: FPT.

Ms. Khanh Loan uses the 3P monitor and views readings on her phone. Photo: FPT.

Since her diagnosis, Ms. Loan had tried various blood sugar monitoring methods. At one point, she pricked her fingertips 5-6 times daily, mainly before and after meals and early in the morning. Frequent finger pricking caused pain and inconvenience. However, these readings only offered snapshots, making it difficult to understand her blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day.

Over the years, Ms. Loan developed several diabetes-related complications, including blurred vision due to eye complications. The constant fear of both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia persisted.

The pain from finger pricking ceased once she started using the 3P continuous glucose monitor. Instead of carrying a finger-prick device or a separate reader, she can now open the FPT MediCare app on her phone to track her blood sugar. Readings update automatically every 3 minutes, enabling 24/7 monitoring whether she is home, exercising, socializing, or sleeping.

She values the app's blood sugar data sharing feature the most, as it allows her husband to monitor her blood sugar changes, especially at night. Previously, to mitigate the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia, he often set an alarm for 2-3 a.m. to wake her for a finger-prick test. This routine frequently led to sleep deprivation and fatigue for both. Since Ms. Loan began using the 3P continuous glucose monitor, he no longer sets alarms for timed checks. The device automatically alerts them during hypoglycemic episodes, allowing the couple to sleep soundly while preventing dangerous low blood sugar.

"The hypoglycemia alert is not just a convenient feature of the 3P, but it also resolved a fear that once haunted our family", Ms. Loan shared.

Several years ago, Ms. Loan experienced a nocturnal hypoglycemic episode without realizing it, falling into a coma. Fortunately, her family discovered her in time, gave her sugar water, and warmed her with a hairdryer. She regained consciousness after about half an hour. That experience intensified the couple's anxiety before bedtime. Especially in her 70s, she noted that she could not always perceive the early warning signs of hypoglycemia.

Since using the 3P monitor, she can detect blood sugar changes earlier thanks to phone alerts. "When my blood sugar drops to around 69 mg/dL, the device gives a mild alert. If it falls to about 54 mg/dL, it alerts very clearly, like a continuous alarm, so I know immediately and can respond promptly", she recounted.

Upon receiving an alert, she proactively eats a light snack, drinks warm water, and continues monitoring on the app. She only rests assured once her reading returns to over 100 mg/dL.

"Before, I was terrified of nocturnal hypoglycemia because I never knew when it would happen. Now, with the phone alerts, I know instantly and no longer feel anxious. Since using the 3P monitor, I haven't experienced a hypoglycemic coma. I am very happy", she said.

Ms. Khanh Loan wears the 3P continuous glucose monitor in her daily life. Photo: FPT.

Ms. Khanh Loan wears the 3P continuous glucose monitor in her daily life. Photo: FPT.

Beyond enabling patients to proactively monitor blood sugar at home, data from the 3P continuous glucose monitor can be shared directly with doctors and medical staff via the FPT MediCare app or the hospital's remote monitoring system (portal).

During one phase of using the 3P monitor, Ms. Loan shared her blood sugar information with her treating doctor. Through the updated data on the system, her doctor could review her blood sugar trends over a period, gaining valuable insights for consultations.

At that time, she frequently experienced hypoglycemia. After reviewing the remote data, her doctor advised her to adjust her evening insulin dose, which significantly reduced her hypoglycemic episodes. The doctor also reviewed her multi-day blood sugar reports to discuss diet, exercise, and medication usage. "I've had diabetes for many years and have some experience with self-adjustment, but having the doctor's advice based on the 3P monitor makes me feel more secure, leading to more scientific and reasonable adjustments", Ms. Loan shared.

Doctors remotely monitor patient blood sugar via a monitoring system (portal). Photo: FPT.

Doctors remotely monitor patient blood sugar via a monitoring system (portal). Photo: FPT.

Thanks to the 3P continuous glucose monitor, Ms. Loan also feels more relaxed about her diet. Previously, fearing high blood sugar and complications, she ate very little, sometimes just enough to take her medication. Now, she can enjoy favorite foods like pho, banh mi, and sticky rice in appropriate portions, while logging her meals on the FPT MediCare app to monitor post-meal blood sugar. "With the monitor, I know when my blood sugar is rising or falling. When it's high, I exercise; when it's low, I eat more", Ms. Loan shared. For her, this represents a positive change, as she no longer worries to the point of restrictive eating.

Diabetes is a chronic condition requiring long-term management. Blood sugar monitoring is crucial, providing patients and healthcare professionals with data for appropriate treatment. After over two years of using the 3P monitor, Ms. Loan and her family feel a significant sense of relief. Her husband no longer needs to wake up in the middle of the night to check her blood sugar, and she can proactively monitor her health without relying on painful finger-prick tests.

Kim Anh

Users can learn more about the 3P continuous glucose monitor on the FPT MediCare website or contact the hotline 1900 6600 for consultation. Users can also download the FPT MediCare app to track blood sugar data and utilize health management features.