What to Expect in Phase 3: Increase Time in Range

Time in Range (TIR) is the percentage of how long your glucose value was within your target range over a 24-hour period. In Phase 3 of the Level2 Method, you will be learning how to increase your TIR.

The Goal for this Phase:

Avoid glucose peaks most of the time to improve time in range
to 70% or higher
(for minimum of 14 days).

(And please check with your provider to make sure a 70% time in range is right for you. It isn’t appropriate for all people.) 

Things to Learn: 

Alimentación con bajo contenido de carbohidratos: Aspectos básicos

Alimentación en horarios restringidos: Aspectos básicos

Crowd Out the Carbs + The Plate Method

Important Terms & Concepts:

• Time in Range
• Low-Carb Medical Guide
• TRE Medical Guide

How to Use Your CGM for this Phase: 

Freestyle Libre Users

• Open the Freestyle Libre 2 app and select the menu icon in the top left. Select Time in Target 
• Observe percentages of time within the 70-180 range.  
• Check your two-day TIR daily to monitor your progress. 
• Your TIR will improve as you reduce spikes and implement new strategies to lower average glucose.
• Continue to use your FSL2 app to monitor spikes and observe how your actions affect your glucose levels. 

Start increasing the days between sensors: 

• Experiment – Take a one-week break from wearing a CGM, but focus on the behaviors you’ve been using to keep your TIR > 70%. 
• Become a predictor – Use your CGM to test your glucose predictions.
• Analyze – When you put your next sensor on, compare your TIR after one week of no CGM to TIR before.
• Keep going – Start to use your CGM less unless needed for insulin dosing/on any insulin, continue wearing unless instructed by a provider.  

To check your progress toward the phase target: 

• Open the app and select the menu icon in the top left. Select Time in Target and then select 14 days on the bottom of the screen.  
• Observe percentages of time within the 70-180 range.  
• The target is for your 14-day TIR to be 70% or greater. 

See the graphic below for more  guidance: 

Dexcom Users

• Download the Dexcom Clarity app to your smartphone and log in using your G6 email and password.
• To monitor changes to your TIR:
  • • Open the app and select 2 on the top bar. This will show two days of CGM data.
    • Observe bolded In Range Percent in the Time in Range tile.
    • Check your two-day TIR daily to monitor your progress.
    • Your TIR will improve as you reduce spikes and implement new glucose-lowering strategies.
    • Continue to use your G6 app to monitor spikes and observe how your actions affect your glucose levels.

To check your progress toward the phase target:

• • • Open the app and select 14 on the top bar. This will show 14 days of CGM data.
    • Observe bolded In Range Percent in Time in Range tile.
    • The target is for your 14-day TIR to be 75% or greater.

See the graphic below for more  guidance: