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← Return to CGM vs Finger Stick
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I also use the G7 connected to my Tandem t:slim pump. The one thing I’ve learned, in regard to calibration, is to calibrate when the sensor has a steady horizontal arrow for 15 minutes or so. In theory the blood and interstitial fluid will be at the same value by then. I calibrate when the G7 is outside 20% of the finger stick. Ex: If finger stick is 100, the G7 is considered in calibration if it is between 80-120. I’ll calibrate if G7 reads 79 or lower or when 121 or higher. Seems like a lot, I know but that’s the way it is. That percentage is from Dexcom and not made up my me.
Doing calibrations on rising or falling arrows is an induced confusion factor for the sensor. Giving a new sensor time to acclimate to its new home and not forcing it to “fly right” out of the box, I’ve found to get accurate readings thereafter. But again, when in doubt, do a finger stick. IMHO
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@drlundeen thank you! I use a Dexcom G6. I’ve heard those percentages from tech support at Dexcom. It makes sense. I have issues with waiting 15 minutes for a horizontal line on the graph, particularly in dealing with a high or low blood sugar situation. (My graph has been looking like a mountain range lately with peaks and valleys!) I also get upset with waiting for the 5 minute updates. (Libre products update each minute). I have also noted that a number will appear in the app. Then it takes another 5 minutes before the dot appears on the graph. Then it takes another5 minutes before it is communicated to my Omnipod 5 pump. Then another 5 minutes before a dot appears on that graph. So that is a total of 15 - 20 minutes for one reading! I can’t imagine how long it would take to get 15 minutes worth of a horizontal line on a graph! Perhaps that is the difference between G6 and G7? I will run that by my provider! I just had an endocrinology follow up in April. The bottom line was that they were pleased with my A1C of 6.6 and commended my verifying CGM results when in doubt with a finger stick. I follow up again in July. Thank you for your input!