Myth vs. reality: Insulin pumps and CGMs

When you first heard about automated insulin delivery systems, did you have questions or thoughts of how they would work and what they might be like? Maybe you were concerned about how using the system might would affect your life.

Even though you may wear an insulin pump and/or CGM, you may still not have all the answers. Maybe friends ask you questions, and you're never sure how to answer. Let’s look at a few misconceptions, or “myths,” that people tend to associate with an insulin pump and CGM, and we’ll tell you the real answers.

Insulin pump myths
 

Myth: I don't know a lot about technology, so I could never use an insulin pump.

Reality: Using a pump is often as easy as entering your blood sugar and meal information and then pressing enter. Your pump also does the work of keeping track of your insulin, so you don't even need to write anything down.

Myth: If I wear the pump, everyone will know that I have diabetes.

Reality: There are very discreet ways you can wear your pump, so using one can be as private or as public a display as you want! You can hide your pump underneath your clothes or wear it on the outside of your outfit, depending on how noticeable you want it to be.
The good news is it's completely up to you how and where you want to wear it! Check out other ways people wear their insulin pumps.
 

Myth: You still have to do shots with a pump, and it's painful.

Reality: The process of inserting an infusion set is similar to what you feel when injecting insulin with a needle. However, with a pump, you have a dramatic reduction in needlesticks — going from 3–4 injections per day with multiple daily injections to just 1 needlestick when inserting an infusion set every 3–7* days with a pump. 

*Medtronic insulin pumps can be worn for up to 7 days when combined with the Medtronic Extended™ infusion set.

Myth: Wearing an insulin pump will interfere with my daily activities.

Reality: Insulin pumps are designed to easily be worn on or under your clothes very securely, and there’s also a variety of cases and clips available to wear with your pump. The pump can also be disconnected from your body for up to an hour for activities like swimming, showering, exercise, and other activities you enjoy, so it won't stop you from living your life.
 

Continuous glucose monitoring

Myth: If I get a CGM, it will replace my fingerstick tests.

Reality: CGM therapy does not completely replace fingerstick testing. Since sensor readings are taken from your interstitial fluid (the fluid surrounding the cells in your tissue) and not your blood, you will still need to test using a blood glucose meter at certain times after this.

This is required to calibrate the sensor at startup, to make sure the glucose sensor maintains accuracy over time, and always when deciding whether or not to make a treatment decision.
 

Myth: Readings on my sensor should always match the readings on my meter.

Reality: It’s important to note that sensor glucose (SG) readings are taken from your interstitial fluid, whereas fingerstick tests are taken directly from your blood.

There is a natural lag between glucose levels in the interstitial fluid and glucose levels in the blood. Therefore, it's normal (and should be expected!) for your SG and BG readings to be different, but for the most part, they should be close. Learn more about sensor glucose vs. blood glucose here.
 

Myth: Wearing a CGM alone is enough to manage my diabetes.

Reality: A CGM gives you a more complete picture of your sugar levels, which is helpful for viewing trends. Unfortunately, without being paired with an insulin pump, that’s all it will do. By connecting the CGM to a pump, it goes above and beyond simply monitoring. When connected, the system does more of the thinking, remembering, and acting when it comes to managing diabetes.

What other diabetes-related myths have you heard? Share below!

[Originally published 2013-07-13. Updated 2024-05-01]

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

- Medtronic Diabetes insulin infusion pumps, continuous glucose monitoring systems and associated components are limited to sale by or on the order of a physician and should only be used under the direction of a healthcare professional familiar with the risks associated with the use of these systems. - Successful operation of the insulin infusion pumps and/or continuous glucose monitoring systems requires adequate vision and hearing to recognize alerts and alarms.
Medtronic Diabetes Insulin Infusion Pumps

- Insulin pump therapy is not recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to perform a minimum of four blood glucose tests per day. - Insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin. If your insulin delivery is interrupted for any reason, you must be prepared to replace the missed insulin immediately.

Medtronic Diabetes Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems

- The information provided by CGM systems is intended to supplement, not replace, blood glucose information obtained using a home glucose meter. A confirmatory fingerstick is required prior to treatment. - Insertion of a glucose sensor may cause bleeding or irritation at the insertion site. Consult a physician immediately if you experience significant pain or if you suspect that the site is infected. For more information, please visit MedtronicDiabetes.com/isi.