Apple Watch Series 7 Rumored to Feature Blood Glucose Monitoring

[jicon]

Some numbers... Dexcom alone is costing myself $3600 CAD a year. It has to have a sensor replaced every ten days, two hour start up period, and generally wildly inaccurate for one or two days*.
But, it allows a reading to be broadcast to my watch/computer screen/car display every five minutes, and software has made the device pretty indispensable taking my type 1 diabetic a1c in to non-diabetic range... 4.8%. I've adjusted eating habits; cardio - close my activity ring each day... raised my insulin sensitivity, and feel the best I ever had with 35 years dealing with this.
* -home blood glucose readers with the $1 a try strips are ALSO prone to being wildly inaccurate at times. I've felt okay, reading has said 11.5... that doesn't seem right... try again. 6.3.

Let's assume this type of result isn't medically accurate, thus useless to myself... I think where a sensor on a watch might be of interest is risk of DKA. On the series three, there are notifications you can enable for high heart rate while it appears you are sitting. If perhaps this device can take a reading with... reliable readings within 30% of actual every twenty minutes, and see the result is three to four times higher than what is considered normal (4-7 mmol/L) for hours on end... something isn't right. Consider seeing a doctor.

 

[TPALTony]

The Apple Watch Series 7 will reportedly feature blood glucose monitoring via an optical sensor, according to ETNews.

The report, which mainly focuses on the blood glucose capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, explains that Apple is intending to bring blood glucose monitoring to the upcoming Apple Watch Series 7 using a non-invasive optical sensor.

Measuring blood glucose levels, also known as blood sugar levels, is vital to managing conditions such as diabetes. Normally, measuring blood glucose requires testing a drop of blood in a blood sugar meter or using an implanted continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The ability to observe any major increases or decreases in blood glucose may raise awareness of a potential health condition or simply help to improve a user's diet.

Apple is said to have secured patents around blood glucose monitoring, and the company is now purportedly "focusing on securing reliability and stability prior to commercialization of the technology." The Apple-designed optical sensor is believed to be a skin-top continuous monitoring solution that does not require an implant.

Rumors suggest that Apple has been interested in adding blood glucose monitoring to the Apple Watch for some time. The company reportedly established a team of biomedical engineers and consultants specifically working on sensors for non-invasively monitoring blood sugar levels in 2017, and work on the sensor reportedly progressed to trials at clinical sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. Apple CEO Tim Cook has even been spotted testing what was believed to be a prototype glucose monitor connected to his Apple Watch.

Apple has added new health-oriented features to the Apple Watch in recent years, such as the ability to measure blood oxygen levels or take an ECG. Late last year, Tim Cook teased the future of the Apple Watch, saying that the device is still "in the early innings," with Apple testing "mind blowing" capabilities in its labs. "Think about the amount of sensors in your car," said Cook, adding "and arguably, your body is much more important than your car."

The Apple Watch Series 7 is expected to arrive later this year, but there have been few rumors around what the new models may feature. While there have been reports of microLED displays and solid-state buttons with haptic feedback for the Apple Watch, these are not directly expected for the Apple Watch Series 7.

Article Link: Apple Watch Series 7 Rumored to Feature Blood Glucose Monitoring

This, a thousand times this. No way would this be as accurate as a Dexcom(which can/has to be recalibrated) or a actual glucose meter.

I wear a Medtronic CGMS and use one of their pumps. At no time is a sensor reading ever preferable to a blood prick test to know your EXACT BG. Even closed loop pumps which will dose you based on the CGMS automatically target a fairly high BG of about 9.0 / 162 (UK/US) to avoid putting people in comas and even targeting that relatively high figure shows a significant reduction in Hb1AC values over time. So even "not as accurate" can be extremely beneficial. What CGMS is amazingly good for is showing you the trend and warning you when you might be heading for a hypo. And when calibrated properly (20 minute period where you know you haven't done anything that will be raising or lowering your BG, it can be extremely accurate. I for one will hold my proclamations that it won't work and hold out hope they will come up with something at least as accurate as the CGMS because that would remove a significant cost from monitoring my blood glucose (from the NHS, not from me) with no loss in accuracy and a lot less messing about inserting sensors.

 

[LV426]

If this feature ships at all, I wouldn't be surprised if it's too inaccurate to be good enough for diabetics.

If it's "good enough" I'll get one. I hate taking blood measurements and often avoid them for this reason.

 

[tivoboy]

This would be very cool if they can pull this off. I'm all for them adding more sensors. I'd like to see them add a skin temperature sensor as well someday.

It would also be cool if they could figure out how to take blood pressure readings without a cuff as well.

As an aside I'm thinking about getting an Apple watch within the next 1-2 years. How does sleep tracking on the Apple Watch compare to Fitbit? I've found the sleep tracking on my Fitbit to be really good and I don't want to lose those metrics.

Try sleepWatch.. I used pillow for years and find sleepwatch to be much better.. even without any subscription

 

[nikaru]

Well, their EKG is basically that: good enough to get a rough idea if your heart is OK, but only barely good enough for regular monitoring.

Well, that is sufficient and hundred times better than nothing.

 

[Hodar1]

This, a thousand times this. No way would this be as accurate as a Dexcom(which can/has to be recalibrated) or a actual glucose meter.

As a diabetic, I have at least a dozen meters in my closet. The singluar advancement is that they can each give a reading +/- 15 points of each other, using a smaller sample of blood. Accuracy? Surely you jest. You can easily take a reading on the same finger, literally seconds apart, on the same meter, from the same box of test strips and see readings of 118, 128, 99 and 135. I have. The reading you take is nothing more than a guess at where you are.

 

[Davidalan]

A game changer for sure. Even if it is low on the accuracy scale, still a game changer. Unless you are using a CGM you are only looking at you blood sugar as a snap shot, at the moment, at best 4 times a day. Before meals and before bed. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to look at constant levels of change of time (without having to spend $400+ per month). The ability of just seeing the effect of a meal on your levels can lead to healthier living. Now look at the price of eith the strips $90.00 for 3 months and the price of a CGM per month, $300 for one sensor, $798 for a transmitter, you phone too. A $399 watch that lasts several years. But even look at the issues of the Dexcom, loss connection, loss of pairing, waisted sensors by not releasing, paper work to get approved on a yearly basis, sometimes hours on the phone with Dexcom support to replace or even repair a sensor to your phone. Now look at pairing and Apple Watch to a phone, no 2 hour wait and direct. I do have one suggestion for apple, like the heart app, a app on the phone by apple which lets it read the health data or even directly in the health app it must have the ability to export the readings by, meals and bedtime, (one day across) save the report and meat the HIPA requirements to release / send that information to your doctor either directly or into the physicians portal. This report must also be customizable to add additional information such as nutrition, medication, and insulin does in addition to other factors.

 

[one more]

This is what I call a good use of modern advanced tech! Provided it is as accurate as other current continuous blood glucose meters on the market, it could well become a game-changer for any diabetic, as well as one of the first non-invasive blood sugar meters. Finger-pricking and embedded sensors is one thing, but your watch or bracelet getting your sugar levels right - a totally different level! 👍

 

[nikaru]

If this feature ships at all, I wouldn't be surprised if it's too inaccurate to be good enough for diabetics.

Apple Watch is not medical-grade testing device. Never was, never will be and never pretended to be. Controlling your blood sugar is a first step in avoiding developing a diabetes in the first place. There are many forms of diabetes as far as I'm aware of, and not all diabetics need precise measurement of their blood sugar on daily basis to leave a normal life. Having a tool on your wrist that can alarm you when your blood sugar is too high or too low, even if not 100% accurate is more than enough for the general public, and for many diabetics to try to improve their health. There are probably millions of people having some form early diabetes who are not even aware of their condition. Having some form of testing, other than giving a blood sample in a laboratory, is huge advance towards an early diagnostic and treatment. If the ECG monitor was good addition, the blood sugar monitor is HUGE one, and really cant wait to see it and test it.

 

[k1121j]

Haha if you keep reporting it eventually you will be right....

 

[tivoboy]

Well, their EKG is basically that: good enough to get a rough idea if your heart is OK, but only barely good enough for regular monitoring.

Well apple DID get FDA approval for their EKG solution so I think it had to be a slightly higher bar than good enough. As said the SpO2 capability was not there and probably won't ultimately get FDA approval and I really doubt a transdermal blood glucose sensor could get to FDA approval anytime soon.

 

[nikaru]

I do have one suggestion for apple, like the heart app, a app on the phone by apple which lets it read the health data or even directly in the health app it must have the ability to export the readings by, meals and bedtime, (one day across) save the report and meat the HIPA requirements to release / send that information to your doctor either directly or into the physicians portal. This report must also be customizable to add additional information such as nutrition, medication, and insulin does in addition to other factors.

For what? Your doctor cant rely on your Apple Watch data. Even if the report' results are good, he will still prescribe you a laboratory test. If it is bad, he will do the same. So, at the end of the day, your Apple Watch-based report serves no purpose.

 

[Digital Dude]

If Apple can pull this off it's a game changer for the Apple Watch. It goes from being a nice accessory that has cool features to an essential health item for a great many people.

The Apple Watch is the main reason I'm still with Apple. I'm up in age with health issues, and the Apple Watch already serves as my medical alert device. I live alone, so fall detection is a significant feature—this, combined with the EKG and, most recently, the O2 meter, is helpful. Admittedly, the O2 sensor needs work, but I suspect they'll get it right.

 

[chucker23n1]

Well, that is sufficient and hundred times better than nothing.

For pre-diabetics or people who don't yet know they (might) have diabetes, yes, this would be fantastic.

Apple Watch is not medical-grade testing device. Never was, never will be and never pretended to be. Controlling your blood sugar is a first step in avoiding developing a diabetes in the first place. There are many forms of diabetes as far as I'm aware of, and not all diabetics need precise measurement of their blood sugar on daily basis to leave a normal life. Having a tool on your wrist that can alarm you when your blood sugar is too high or too low, even if not 100% accurate is more than enough for the general public, and for many diabetics to try to improve their health.

I'm not really sure why you're explaining all that, but yes.

 

[iksretep]

It's going to be a great tool, even if it's approximate/rough guesstimate/etc reading ... in other words it's better than nothing ... I thought most people pick up a banner of change and innovation and run with it when other things happen in the Apple ecosystem. Why can't this be the same? I thought every little bit counts, even this small? no?

 

[0924487]

How about bring out ECG options to Australia first??

Blame your government regulators. Apple is ready since launch.

 

[lederermc]

I would rather have a blood pressure monitor but I suppose doing that in a watch that must be comfortable to wear might not be possible. Glucose monitoring being so important for diabetics I doubt a watch could totally replace current mechanisms.

 

[Jedphoto]

As someone who was diagnosed with diabetes a year a go, a continuous glucose monitor on an apple watch would be amazing. Even if it was a simple baseline of readings, helping to diagnose people before they end up in the ER would be worth it. I had no idea I was diabetic when I was diagnosed. I figured it had been 8 or so years since any blood work and figured I should get it myself checkout since I have had high cholesterol in the past. Turned out my A1C was 13.

As mentioned earlier, no system is 100%. I took a finger prick just before a fasting blood test and the meter had me at 125 while my blood work came back at 150. I had a CGM for a short time and those need to be double checked against finger pricks from time to time.

 

[iksretep]

For pre-diabetics or people who don't yet know they (might) have diabetes, yes, this would be fantastic.

Ok so you seem to have a vast knowledge of diabetes ... care to explain why you excluded people who already have it?

There are plenty out there who check their glucose levels after a meal, after a stressful situation, after (insert whatever) ... having an extra tool that would help you determine if you've spiked (even if it's a rough guesstimate) without the need to prick your finger would be a win no matter what.

The process or I should say a chore of "pricking your finger" is not exaclty sanitary, pleasant and that's prior to covid ... this is one of the reasons why people who get diagnosed either skip checking their glucose on a consistent basis and over/under medicate.

I also agree with wanting a blood pressure monitor - many diabetics also suffer from blood pressure issues. Maybe Apple Watch Series 8?

 

[LeadingHeat]

How about bring out ECG options to Australia first??

how about you reach out to your government to pass it? It’s a health feature, which requires regulation.

 

[The Game 161]

How about bring out ECG options to Australia first??

why's this an apple problem?

 

[aliensporebomb]

Not interested in upgrading from my S6 unless it contains the ability to give me 15 minutes of invisibility per day...

I think the Harry Potter invisibility cloak mod is a really expensive aftermarket option.

 

[TheYellowAudi]

How about bring out ECG options to Australia first??

That's a governmental regulatory issue, not an Apple, Inc. issue; although, they do have a vested interest in trying to sway the gov't to approve the feature.

 

[irq987]

If this comes true, test strip manufacturers panic because Apple just took their cash cow and served it medium rare.

 

[cwwilson]

This would be an interesting feature for a lot of people but it’s getting hard to think about getting a new watch just for one thing. I think it’s time for a new design since the current one has been in place since the 4. I considered getting a 6 only because of the new blue color but in the end could not justify it, it just doesn’t offer enough of an upgrade over the 5.

I then decided to wait until a completely new model comes out that differentiates itself from the current form factor. Thinner, possibly more round, haptic buttons, larger screen maybe. These would be things that would push me to an upgrade.