{
  "id": 4162012,
  "title": "FDA authorizes first wearable to track both ketones and blood sugar",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/fda-authorizes-first-wearable-to-track-both-ketones-and-blood-sugar",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-29T09:40:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-fda-authorizes-wearable-track-ketones.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the first wearable sensor that continuously monitors both ketones and blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. Ketones are chemicals produced by the body when it burns fat instead of sugar for fuel, and high levels can lead to a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA symptoms can worsen rapidly, potentially leading to coma or death if left untreated. Hospital admissions for DKA have increased by 55% over the past decade, according to Abbott, the manufacturer of the new device.\n\nThe sensor, called Libre Duo 10 Day, adheres to the skin and continuously measures both ketone and glucose levels every minute, day and night. The readings are transmitted wirelessly to a smartphone app, which displays current levels and indicates whether they are increasing or decreasing. An alert is triggered when ketone levels reach a concerning threshold. Previously, people had to perform separate blood or urine tests to check ketone levels, which only provide a snapshot and do not show whether levels are rising or falling.\n\nDr. Michelle Tarver, who leads the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, emphasized that receiving ketone level information in real-time can be crucial for early intervention and preventing life-threatening emergencies. Dr. Jennifer Sherr, a pediatric endocrinologist at Yale School of Medicine, noted that many early warning signs of DKA are often overlooked or mistaken for other common illnesses, delaying necessary care. Approximately 40.1 million Americans have diabetes, according to the CDC.\n\nAbbott developed the Libre Duo 10 Day sensor primarily for people with diabetes at higher risk of elevated ketones, such as those taking insulin or glucose-lowering medications. Six studies involving more than 600 participants supported the FDA's decision to authorize the device. Abbott plans to launch the sensor in the United States later this year, with further plans to integrate it with automated insulin delivery systems.\n\nThe FDA cautions that ketone readings should always be considered in conjunction with glucose levels and a person's symptoms. The sensor has been authorized for use in individuals with diabetes aged 2 years and older.",
  "summary": "People with diabetes can now get an early warning when a dangerous complication starts to build in their bodies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "TechRadar",
        "title": "FDA approves world’s first dual-sensor CGM in diabetes 'breakthrough' — new Libre Duo sensor tracks ketones and blood sugar in real-time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/fda-approves-worlds-first-dual-sensor-cgm-in-diabetes-breakthrough",
        "published": "2026-08-26T17:05:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}