Dexcom G7 Review - 6 Months Wearing the CGM

[@ChrisFeist76]

One thing people do need to realize and not panic over is Dexcom won't be discontinuing the G6 until the pumps that have it integrated with their pumps (tandem & omnipod5) working with the G7. Some suppliers have been sending out notices to users making them panic thinking they are going to lose their g6/pump auto modes.

[@diabe_tech]

💯💯💯

[@jimclark6883]

Just got online and ordered 2 SugarPixels, one for my bedroom & one for the kitchen/living room.

[@whyyoustaring]

The connection issues and the inaccuracy (frequently 40-50 points off) are driving me nuts. I've had to send back 4 sensors out of the initial batch of 9 I got. Dexcom's customer service is great, but that's too high of a failure rate for me. Also, it's considered Tier 4 on my insurance, so it's very expensive, and I consider myself to have one of the best plans in the country. I'm going to have to switch to a Libre 3 based on cost alone once I'm done with this batch of G7's. Thanks for all you do Justin.

[@diabe_tech]

That's unfortunate. I've found that G7 is cheaper than G6 because I only buy one item, not two, so now it is 50% the price. I bet you had old sensors, which is annoying. The new ones are wayyy better and I love it.

[@JuanGarcia-hc1mn]

I started the G7 5 days ago on my 1.5 year old daughter and so far it's working well.

[@barbarahernandez4153]

Great video! Been on G7 for a month and love it already! Very accurate, and no problems with connections!

[@diabe_tech]

That's great to hear!!!

[@dawnb2224]

Thanks for your honest opinion Justin. I really appreciate this video. I know Tandem was also wanting for Dexcom to fix some of the issues.

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks for watching :)

[@clarkkent7973]

Great video! Thanks for all the info. Getting a great bluetooth antenna for better range in such a small footprint is definitely a hard engineering problem. Super interesting that the G6 is being discontinued.

[@diabe_tech]

Yea I get that, but Libre 3 is smaller and range works great!

[@mosesmartiny]

In my experience the most recent batches of G7s (the ones approved for use with Tandem, with underlined revision / LBL numbers) have much better signal although perhaps still a bit less than the G6. However, the issue that I still face is that the sensors seem to be very erratic (false lows, wild jumps etc.) during the first 12 to 24 hours (when wearing on upper arm), So I find that I have to overlap sensors for at least 12 to 24 hours to get a good experience and avoid crazy jumps and false low alarms. So for me the G7 basically has a min. 12 hours warm up period. With the G6 things could be a bit off during the first 24 hours but nothing this crazy.

[@diabe_tech]

Thanks for this info!! Good to know about connection, sad it still isn’t as good as G6. Overall, I’ll take it for all the upgrades, for most users it won’t matter since their G7 will connect right to the pump. So interesting how different it can be for users - I don’t have issues with false lows and don’t need to “soak” my sensor at all.

[@manettezeitler3587]

My G7 experience has mostly been rubbish. The first 24 hours are so erratic. I get constant false low and false high readings and brief sensor issues, and I am constantly losing my Bluetooth connection with my receiver even if I am wearing the receiver in a pocket on my hip. I am finger-sticking constantly. I have also started soaking my sensor during the 12-hour grace period. It does seem to help a bit. Thank you for your incredibly informative videos.

[@annarivara425]

Hi, thank you so much for sharing your experience as a diabetic in your videos and posts. I am loving the G7, I have been on it for 8 months too, switched to it from Libre2 in March 2023. The most useful alert for me is the ‘Urgent Low Soon’ alert, also exclusive to the G7. Not had any really bad hypos thanks to it since I switched to G7.

[@andricheli]

Overall, I have loved the Dexcom G7. I mostly love that it's an all-in-one deal. I travel some and I always hated having to remember to take an extra transmitter (which I may or may not have had depending on where I was with the current one). I do have some connection issues, but that's mostly mitigated by staying close to my iPhone. Accuracy has been as good and maybe even a bit better than the G6. I do tend to lose the sensors early (particularly when it's hot out) and had one sensor so far that did not connect at all, but have not had any issues getting Dexcom to replace those sensors. Overall, very happy with it. And it works great with DIY Loop!

[@diabe_tech]

We are very much on the same page!!

[@dwightl5863]

The delay alert feature I can see being very helpful. You've either carbed for the low or dosed/exercised for the high but need time for those actions to do it's thing. Currently G6 working with Tandem.

[@diabe_tech]

Its phenomenal!

[@larag4646]

Exactly. G6 is 20 minutes behind your actual BG so if I'm low and have treated, I usually get a couple of alerts before it shows. And if I'm low, I'm in a bad mood and start yelling at my sensor to shut it for a minute.

[@slc1161]

I got it because of low glucose at night. The device reads quite a bit lower than my monitor at times. So I’ve had to silence the alarms at night after fixing my glucose. The quiet mode is very helpful.

[@michael91411]

Justin,, thank you so much for these videos . I love your enthusiasm, your spark and energy and certainly the valueable information you provide. Mike, North Hollywood, Los Angeles

[@diabe_tech]

Thank you 🙏

[@timlist4173]

On my second g7 sensor. I started out being skeptical, based on using the libre pre-covid. The g7 is far more accurate than that early libre unit. I also like that you can give it a calibration to your meter helping it to track closer. It still reads higher on the high, and lower on the lows. But the difference is a less than 10%. Much better than the first libre I tried.

[@diabe_tech]

I'm a fan!

[@AngieLyke]

I think I read the manual that calibrating it with your fingerstick meter may make it more accurate or may make it worse. We have to keep in mind that CGM is measuring glucose in the interstitial fluids not in our blood. And that there is a 5-minute lag. If I remember correctly

[@philpointer7630]

Tons of bad sensors, readings, and signal loss. But when they work it's nice

[@charlessilberman1097]

I had the dexcom g7 for 3 months and I have had 3 failed sensors. each time I did the correct steps contact dexcom and they have sent out a replacement sensor. The last time I called dexcom they have a new policy that you have to return the sensor and the device that puts the sensor on your arm. Why If is a bad sensor they can tell by the serail number were it was make. This subject should be brought up in your next podcast with dexcom

[@sheila7814]

I got my first one on Friday and by Monday I had snagged it three times and rendered it unusable. I got the fail message. I snagged it on a chair, I snagged it on a shirt and then another shirt when I took it off (because I forgot it was on). This time I put it on my back hip. So far so good.

[@anitastokar98]

I am with you as to being a little nervous to silence the urgent low. I will silence a low after I get a first low and then I treat, but I don't see me silencing lows for too long of a time period.

[@diabe_tech]

Right!? No thank you hahaha

[@mndyD9]

My Libre 3 bit the dust after 1 swim session and has been totally off in accuracy. Praying my insurance covers Dexcom G7 so I can try it

[@lakegirl239]

All set to changeover to G7 with my Tandem in the next few weeks. Luckily I have not experienced wonky readings during the first 12-24 hrs.

[@diabe_tech]

Yayyy!!! Excited for you :)

[@rhdtv2002]

It’s very sensitive with the Tandem pump. So let’s say if you have the Dexcom on the left arm then make sure your pump is located on the same side if not you will get tons of loss signals which didn’t happen to me with any of the Dexcom versions in the past

[@hardykornfeld1733]

I have the same experience with my G6 and Tandem. Switching to G7 when my current G6 transmitter dies. I’m not expecting the G7 to be better, but with the smaller form factor and less gargantuan insertion device, it will still be an improvement.

[@AngieLyke]

I used the receiver. It was less than $8 with my insurance. And I bought a protector with a lanyard and I just have it around my neck. My phone is not yet compatible. But I'm not sure when I get a new phone if I will actually use the app. I might just because this historical data on the receiver is probably less than the app.

[@wbarrick]

Thanx for sharing. I’m finding the first 12-24 hours of a new sensor can be wildly inaccurate (sensor 64, fingerstick 120). Often end up calibrating 1-2 times in that period. Hate being awakened 2-3 times with bogus lows. How about you?

[@diabe_tech]

Wow. Curious if those are compression lows? I don’t have false lows. Maybe once in a blue moon and I don’t even notice

[@anitastokar98]

I use a G6 but I have always put on a new sensor 12 hours before my old sensor expires. When the old sensor expires, I then start the new one. Since the new sensor has already been in my skin for 12 hours, I don't get those false low readings. When I switch to the G7 (when G7 integrates with my slimx2), I will put on my newG7 during that 12 hour grace period of the old sensor (at the end of the sensor's life).

[@deannebarth5549]

@@anitastokar98 Why have I never thought of this? The last 12 hours of a sensor almost always goes wonky. My numbers can be 50 to 100 points off for the first and last 12 hours. It's awful. Kind of disappointing to hear this happens for some with the G7 too. In the meantime, I will definitely try your tactic. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

[@natelk5]

Hi Justin, I have been using the Dexcom G6 for years, it’s great. My biggest complaint with Dexcom is not having a NIGHT mode. To have alert in the middle of the night and then to be blinded by the light on your phone. It would be nice if they had a night mode. Maybe since you’re working with Dexcom, your convention that to them

[@diabe_tech]

With Dexcom g7 there is a “night mode” with profiles :)

[@UrlocalT1D]

Wherentl buy dexcom g7 plz tell me the pharmacy

[@aidanjenkins5051]

Love your videos! I'm getting the g7 next week and I have a question? Can the g7 go through airport body scanner ? I know that with the g6 dexcom recommend getting a pat down. However, with the g7 dexcom says that it's safe for it to go through the body scanner ? What are your thoughts ?

[@kimmiekimist]

Love it

[@sbnmzns3281]

Dude, where did you get that transparent pod you show in this video at 0:51? Looks awesome!

[@diabe_tech]

Insulet, producers of Omnipod, gave it to me :) I went to their headquarters and built it - check out the video on her called “Omnipod how it’s made” (or something like that :)

[@marmalutechaser9411]

G6 lasted 8 days. I used G6 for a year. I have my first G7 on now, back of arm, felt like a 3” knife went in, it has been painful but my 10 days are almost over, I’ll put the next one on my stomach. So far so good for accuracy. G6 had more lost signals, every week, it read for 3 hours, off 2 hours. Hated the G6!!!!

[@dwightl5863]

I'm wondering if you inserted the G7 into a muscle per chance, to cause that much discomfort?

[@rospez1763]

Can you sleep on your arm and still get accurate readings?

[@diabe_tech]

Overall, I don’t have issues with compression lows, a lot less than Dexcom G6. There are rare occasions when I sleep on the sensor that I get lower readings, but I really don’t notice this often.

[@neryriosu0284]

10:38 does it matter where you buy the sensors for replacements?

[@carriedoughty2655]

Im looking for a smart watch that will work g7. I have a Samsung galaxy s20 + 5g

[@VickyAmali94]

hey, good I found your video, it is very informative. And I like the fact that you are wearing the G7 and have a closed loop system with the Omnipod Dash. How have you done the closed loop? I am still a pen user but I definitely want to have a pump. Just waiting because G7 doesn't work with any pump yet.

[@diabe_tech]

I’m using DIY Loop. You can watch my videos on the channel that talk about it.

[@Bikemarc]

As a T2D and having to work in places where I cant have my phone I have found that the G7 will continue to record reading for over 4 hours and then update the app when once i was able to reconnect. This has been great for me.

[@diabe_tech]

I love that!

[@anitastokar98]

I am wondering what places you can't have a phone as you are using the phone as a medical device.

[@Bikemarc]

​@@anitastokar98 I work in different secure areas around the world. I have had my G7 cleared for all areas and if I wanted or needed to monitor for lows I would need to get the Dexcom Receiver and submit it for clearance. As I go in and out of the secure areas often enough I have not bothered with that. If I was a T1D and had my G7 linked to a pump that setup would be easy for me to get cleared.

[@dwightl5863]

@@anitastokar98 High security companies for one.

[@jaeshasway]

What’s the best manual glucose meter to use for calibration with the G7?

[@inspectorgadget346]

Im feeling a bit let down in how long its taking for most companies to become compatible with thr G7. I realize thr FDA is involved and theres a cost however there has to be a better way. CGM is pretty much an integral part of insulin pumps.

[@diabe_tech]

I feel ya. Luckily Tandem has it coming now. It’s a slow process…because people’s lives are involved.

[@inspectorgadget346]

@@diabe_tech I left Tandem as I was on the x2 for 6 years and I refused to upgrade to the same device. I moved to the Omnipod 5 however I am picking up some Omnipod Dash from my endo so I can use AAPS and Nightscout. Want to be able to use my Android Galaxy Watch 6 to see and make changes.

[@renthemouse]

When will we get mobi!

[@diabe_tech]

Mobi just released In the US

[@melindahayward8316]

Maybe the connectivity issues will be fixed by the time it works with omnipod 5. Hoping they play together soon. They won't get rid of the g6 until after the g7 works with omnipod 5 right?

[@diabe_tech]

I think they will be!

[@deannebarth5549]

@@diabe_tech I'm so angry that OP5 still doesn't work with iPhone, I'm considering changing. I just can't take carrying 2 "phones" anymore. When I travel, I'm terrified of leaving it behind somewhere. I live in a different city that I work in and have left my controller at work a couple times. My options are to redo my commute back to get it, or not eat till I go to work the next day. I'm sick of it.

[@gurugamer8632]

When will Omnipod 5 app be coming out so iPhone Omnipod app replaces the Omnipod PDM?

[@diabe_tech]

They announced it to be coming 2024. It’s FDA cleared and up to Omnipod now.

[@gurugamer8632]

@@diabe_tech that is really good news

[@gurugamer8632]

@@diabe_tech any news about compatibility with Dexcom G7?

[@reneefriedman1858]

Would love to know how to dyi loop!

[@diabe_tech]

Check out my DIY Loop videos. There are a couple. One just released on Friday!

[@barbaramartin611]

I am currently using the G7. What is closed loop?

[@diabe_tech]

Closed loop means that a CGM is talking to an insulin pump for automated insulin delivery

[@anthonyparish6841]

My insurance will not cover, not just a patch I use gauze and a large bandages

[@jeanchiusano2861]

How can you tell if a sensor is old or new

[@diabe_tech]

The “Rev” number. I have Rev 9 and now Rev 12 I believe. The newest have an underline

[@neryriosu0284]

11:54 that sounds you have to buy new versions. Not good

[@lindseyquennell1457]

@diabetech How often did you have to calibrate while on the Dexcom G7?

[@diabe_tech]

Rarely. Once every couple months?

[@terryorourke6347]

Does the G7 suffer inaccuracies in its first 12-24 hours? I've pre-soaked all my G6 sensors to avoid this problem.

[@diabe_tech]

Ive had no issues. I was told the 12 hour grace period on G7 is for those who like to soak their new sensors. So now you get a while for that to get started!

[@dougmaynard6544]

My first experience with the G7 had inaccuracies. The next day I called Dexcom and they said that sometimes the first 24 hours can have inaccuracies. they were right almost to the hour. The G7 "settled down" (after 24 hours) and then it was accurate all the way through the remaining 9 days. this is based on one experience and I have to change sensors now and will see how it goes.

[@jonathanfriedel]

My experience has been the G7 for me is never accurate out of the box. I have to calibrate it twice (both times within a half hour) and then it seems to be mostly accurate for the next 9-10 days.

[@deandre22]

Any devices that track A1C levels?

[@jeweldenile8995]

My Dexcom tracks my average. I can set that average for numerous ranges, including 90 days. My last A1C was exactly the same as my 90 average glucose on my dexcom. I would’ve been ok if it had been close but to have it be the same made me pretty happy. Hope this is what you meant.

[@diabe_tech]

the GMI stat on Dexcom is similar to an A1C

[@babytigtig3795]

When is G6 being discontinued?

[@diabe_tech]

Not until the G7 supports all closed loop pumps. That's for sure.

[@dalialovesdoggies4361]

0:00 0:00 0:00 ❤😂covered ONLY FOR TYPE 1

[@worthybookjourney3231]

Can the delay alert and the snooze/silence alert also delay the pump (T slim) from buzzing you too. Or is this only if it is not actually connected to a pump?

[@diabe_tech]

That is a great question! I will ask my interviewee at Tandem coming on the podcast :)

[@worthybookjourney3231]

Thank you.@@diabe_tech I did call Tandem and ask them yesterday. They said the pump overrides all of those great features that G7 has worked to get. To me that takes away all the improvements and makes it basically no different that the G6 except for size. Alarm fatigue is a VERY REAL thing. My son is ready to get rid of the pump because it is destroying his mental health with alarms. Forget about sleeping. It is also a driving hazard. The alarms are equivalent to driving and texting. Tandem says it is for our protection. I think it is about their legal protection. I have seen online many say just let me sign to say I won't sue to be able to choose what alarms I want including being able to turn off vibrating alarms. The alarms are driving us to high blood pressure. That 6 hour do not disturb would have been a dream with G7 if Tandem didn't let their pump take it away.

[@josefernandes4972]

Can you tell me if one uses the iWatch app with the G7, do you need to have your iPhone on your person as well or does the G7 transmitter work independently with the iWatch alone. I ask because where I work, mobile phones and electronic devices are not allowed, but I can wear an iWatch. I would like to Bluetooth to the iWatch in order to get alerts at work and then sync to my iPhone when I leave work. Is this scenario possible. Thanks in advance.

[@turinreza]

currently you need an iphone to work with the apple watch but they just announced that they will get FDA approval for a "direct to watch" update to the watch. The company plans a phased launch for all G7 iOS users everywhere by the end of the second quarter of this year. This means G7 soon becomes the only CGM system that can connect directly to Apple Watch without needing to carry an iPhone. Those who use G7 can access this feature as soon as it launches in their country.

[@jonathanfriedel]

I have successfully bluetoothed the G7 to my watch so I do not need the phone. You do need the phone to make the watch work the first time you install each sensor, but once installed you do not need the phone.

[@sbg3189]

Can you calibrate the G7?

[@diabe_tech]

Yep!

[@michael91411]

You sure can, just like the G6

[@EdTunaFisher]

I am switching over to this when you leave your phone and I disconnect when you back in range does it reconnect automatically or do you have to do it in the app

[@diabe_tech]

Automatically will reconnect

[@ChrisSims-kf5hq]

The G7 was an utter failure for me. Horribly inaccurate (the "closest" reading I got was within 40 points of my meter) and MANY other PIA problems on a daily basis over the 5 months I used it and hoped. Please keep your suggestions to yourself on how to "improve" the G7. I did EVERYTHING the Dexcom tech support told me to do. It didnt do a thing. I was calling tech support more than I was calling anyone else. Lost hope. It sucks. It reminds me of the "vaunted G6 hack" that some idiots tried to sell on youtube. That was ALSO VERY INACCURATE. Why did I get a CGM, for it to be inaccurate?? No. Sorry. I got rid of the garbage "new" G7 and went back to the G6. Very nice to have accuracy again. G7 is crap. Cant even offer one good word about it. It works for you?? Great. Enjoy.

[@jonathanfriedel]

Did you calibrate it twice within 30 minutes?

[@dalialovesdoggies4361]

NOT AFFORDABLE

[@samarasheetz5094]

Most insurance covers it. Mine does. I just had to pay a 1x fee for the receiver

[@jaeshasway]

Try the Dexcom G6 if G7 is too high right now. My Libre 3 had a $75 co pay for two 14 day sensors. I got 3 (10 day) Dexcom 7’s for zero co-pay.

[@trevorthewolfman]

Do not recommend. I have been woken up a number of times in the middle of the night with the very loud alarm stating dangerously low levels. After doing a finger prick my levels are fine. Tonight my alarm woke me at 1am saying I am at 3.0 when in actual fact it is 5.1. For the money I pay this is not worth it!

[@jonathanfriedel]

I had this the first time, it was due to me sleeping on the G7. Next time I changed the location and that solved the problem.