Apple trials app to manage a person's blood sugar levels

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
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in Apple Watch

Apple is still working to help fight diabetes, with a report claiming it is internally testing an app to help people manage their blood sugar levels.

Smartwatch on a wrist displaying blood glucose level of 176 mg/dL with a downward trend arrow.
Glucose monitoring on an Apple Watch using a Dexcom app



Apple has long been rumored to be working on ways to monitor a user's blood-sugar level from hardware like an Apple Watch. While the work to make a non-invasive sensor continues, it's also trying other ways to fight diabetes.

Employees who were prediabetic were involved in testing an app made by Apple, reports sources of Bloomberg. They were given a blood test to determine whether they were at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and were monitored by a variety of blood testing devices throughout the testing period.

The app was also used to log food, blood sugar levels, and glucose-level changes relative to food consumed.

Apple apparently isn't intending to release the app to the public, as its aim was for data collection more than piloting an actual app for release. It was also made for Apple to work out what other uses there could be for the blood-sugar data, and what tools could be produced for public use.

The iPhone maker has since paused the app test, as it focuses on other health-related areas.

So far, it seems that the app test wasn't directly connected to the ongoing work to produce a no-prick glucose monitor. Such a piece of hardware could offer an expanded range of features to the Apple Watch, especially when conventional tests require finger pricks or more advanced systems such as Dexcom.



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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 2
    maltzmaltz Posts: 492member
    I'd love to see the continuous monitors integrate better with Apple Health, especially the new OTC devices.  Abbott's Lingo will import data from Apple Health, but won't send data the other way.
    gregoriusm
  • Reply 2 of 2
    jimh2jimh2 Posts: 660member
    Nothing makes those who need medical care happier to see Apple and other companies pushing into the medical hardware companies territory. They are going to start feeling the pain of having sat on their hands, enjoyed insane margins, and been slow to innovate thinking there is no competition.

    When prices drop accessibility increases.
    gregoriusm
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