I am doing a self study so I stick my finger every morning and since I have an "actual" reading, I naturally compare it to the Dexcom reading. If it is off (at all), I enter my "actual" reading to calibrate. After a few times, it will get 'spot on'. I have just gotten used to calibrating it with each new sensor too. It's a device, so it needs to be calibrated on a daily basis until it's right. After a few days you don't have to do it anymore. It's like any other piece of lab equipment, that is usually calibrated daily. I like the fact that you can calibrate it and question any CGM that does not allow the user to calibrate. The question on those devices, is how close are they to the "actual" blood stick? And if they are off, you have no way to calibrate it to get it closer, thus, to me the unit would be useless if not harmful in the case for those who are diabetic. Other devices use manufacturered calibration and you cannot set it.

Dexcom reads every 5 minutes. Wait until it gives you a reading, and stick your finger to get an actual reading from your blood glucose meter. As soon as the Dexcom delivers the next reading, open the calibration and add your new number. Don't wait 20 mintues between Dexcome and blood glucose readings.

That's only a 3-hour span. It does this when I am in a fasting state. I am on a ketogenic diet (<20g of total carbs/day) and intermittent fasting. When I do a 72-hour fast, my blood sugar drops and ketones rise which takes me into a state of autophagy. It switches me from burning sugar to burning fat. The autophagy has resolved much of my joint pain and excess fat, especially belly fat. If I eat carbs, I get hungry, can't control the amount I eat and my blood sugar rises (a lot). You cannot fast while eating carbs! Well, you can, but you will be miserable, fighting hunger pangs! When you are in a high level of ketosis, you are no longer hungry which makes fasting a breeze. Staying in ketosis allows longer fasting periods. I do a 72-hour fast once a month and intermittent fasting with OMAD weekly. If you are interested, check out Dr. Boz's 21-Day Kickstart. We did 2 x 72-hour fasts during that program.

On the receiver, go to Menu > Events > Blood Glucose. Select "Log Blood Glucose". To use the BG value as a calibration, select "Use as Calibration".

@@genevievemunden thank you.

I don't use the G7 receiver. I use the iPhone app. I'm not sure if the receiver allows you to calibrate or not. I would guess the receiver would be configured much the same way as the phone app. Just found it: On the receiver, go to Menu > Events > Blood Glucose. Select "Log Blood Glucose". To use the BG value as a calibration, select "Use as Calibration".

I use iphone - dexcom G7 app.

@@genevievemunden Ahhhh thanks. when I got my G7 Medicare sent me the receiver. With the G6 I used my iPhone 8+. Problem with the reader is I have to manually upload to Clarity every 30 days.

On the receiver, go to Menu > Events > Blood Glucose. Select "Log Blood Glucose". To use the BG value as a calibration, select "Use as Calibration".

No need to freak out. The reading on you BGM is what counts. So, yes, try to be patient. It may take some time to get used to it. Just log in 114 at the same time the G7 displays the latest reading. Make sure to hit CONFIRM after you log it. Mine is also for self-study/self-pay. And yes, whenever I change to a new sensor, I have to calibrate it. The good thing is that Dexcom G7 allows YOU to calibrate it to your blood meter whenever you need to. I have been using these for 3 months and they are spot on to my blood meter because of calibration. Don't put it on before you go to bed or the URGENT LOW will go off and wake you up, about 3AM .... and you don't want to have to do calibration when you would rather be sleeping. I double check my readings often to make sure the Dexcom is accurate. It's been off as much as 38 points.

Oh my goodness Genevieve~ thank you SO much! Apparently, I did not research as much as I thought I had- because I was confused about the calibration, after reading only one sentence provided in packaging. I believe it said something to the effect of "you may wish to calibrate using your glucose meter" -yet nothing further, unless I missed it somehow. I didn't realize it was ongoing, that it needs to happen more than once. May I ask if you have a set pattern that you use when applying a new sensor? Do you keep calibrating- say, 4-6 times a day- until both readings match? Truly grateful for what you've already shared. Clearly, I need to go back & read everything again as well.@@genevievemunden

@@RV-there-Yetthe 2 readings will never match exactly-blood sugar monitor and CGM.. Acceptable is 10-20 points.. I have had mine since November.. I have found after I insert it I need to press gently down on the round part of the Dexcom to make sure it is firm against my skin.. Definitely a learning experience.. I will say Medicare now covers them if ordered by an endocrinologist.. Expensive to be paying for on your own unless you have mucho money income.. If a Dexcom monitor you can call Dexcom and it will send a replacement..

I am used to working in labs that have instruments that must be calibrated every day, so as a general rule for this CGM, I compare it to my actual finger stick, (BGM) every day and when the reading starts drifting on the CGM I will calibrate it. I usually have to calibrate it when I change sensors too. I'm doing this for self-study (I'm not diabetic) so I do a BGM reading every morning. The CGM will get closer and closer to your actual blood glucose reading. I wouldn't trust these CGMs if I were diabetic, in that I would probably double-check it every day until I felt comfortable that the CGM readings were accurate. Why wear it if the numbers are off and I have had them be as far off as 38 points. It makes for an expensive phone finder!!! I never have to call my phone to find where I left it. All I have to do is walk 20' away and I know exactly where my phone is!! 😆

@@genevievemunden Right?!🤣Just had that same discussion w/husband. Made it through that first 10 day period, a bit bumpy, but your advice was most helpful. Taking a break currently from self-study, mainly for that reason. I'm not someone who's used to being attached at the hip to my phone. *Plus, need a rest from stressing as to why my glucose readings are still close to/over 100, when all I eat is fat & protein~ 2 yrs now! Sigh. I'll be picking it back up again next month I think.

Sometimes calibration is not available. Just wait until you see it and log it in. You need to make sure and hit "I UNDERSTAND" then "CONFIRM" so it will log your manual blood sugar reading.

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