Endo Rtcgm Recommend T1dm Above Target

---
name: endo-rtcgm-recommend-t1dm-above-target
description: Recommends real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT-CGM) for adult patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) whose hemoglobin A1C is above individualized target. Consider when clinician notes 'T1DM A1C above goal, consider RT-CGM' or 'Patient willing to wear CGM daily, A1C elevated'.
---

# Recommend RT-CGM for T1DM with A1C above target

## STEP 1 — Gather Information
Confirm adult T1DM diagnosis, obtain current A1C and individualized target A1C, assess patient willingness and ability to use RT-CGM device on a nearly daily basis, and review insurance coverage/cost.  
**Action:** If data are complete, proceed to Step 2.

## STEP 2 — Rule In / Rule Out
Is the patient an adult with T1DM and has A1C above target?  
- **Yes:** Proceed to Step 3.  
- **No:** Do not recommend RT-CGM; address glycemic control with other modalities and reassess at next visit.

## STEP 3 — Classify or Stratify
Classify by willingness and ability to use RT-CGM nearly daily:  
- **Willing and able:** Proceed to Step 4.  
- **Unwilling or unable:** Identify barriers (e.g., cost, dexterity, psychosocial concerns) and consider alternatives such as intermittent CGM or intensified SMBG.

## STEP 4 — Decide
If willing and able: Initiate RT-CGM with device-specific education, training, and calibration plan; schedule follow-up in 1–2 weeks to review data and adjust therapy.  
If unwilling/unable: Address barriers, provide education on SMBG, and reassess willingness at subsequent visits.

## Clinical Guardrails / Mimics / Pitfalls
Do not rely on RT-CGM as a sole replacement for SMBG calibration; ensure patients receive formal device training to prevent alarm fatigue and skin irritation; avoid initiating in patients unable to perform required calibrations without caregiver support; consider cost and insurance coverage prior to prescription; do not use RT-CGM in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness without structured hypoglycemia prevention strategies.

## Concrete Clinical Example
A 34‑year‑old woman with T1DM has A1C 8.2% (target <7.0%). She reports willingness to wear a CGM sensor daily, has no financial barriers, and can perform fingerstick calibrations. Clinician recommends RT‑CGM initiation, arranges trainer-led education, and schedules a follow‑up visit in 2 weeks to download data and adjust insulin doses.

**Source:** Diabetes Technology—Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Therapy and Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Adults: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline, Endocrine Society, 2016, DOI:10.1210/jc.2016-2534  
> **TODO:** consider adding scripts/calc.py for the endo-rtcgm-recommend-t1dm-above-target calculator