How to EXTEND A Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3 (Get another 7+ Days)

Showing the steps to take to extend a Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3 and get another 7 days out of it!
I have seen a lot of people ask in groups and have had messages regarding extending out a Medtronic Guardian Sensor 3. So here is a quick video showing how to do so.
*AS STATED IN THE VIDEO I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND AM NOT GIVING MEDICAL ADVICE. WHILE I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS DOING THIS, YOU ARE DOING THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[@bgprepper6019]

I have been doing this since I got my pump due to the cost, thank you for putting up the video!!

[@orldoming]

🤙

[@gremlin106]

Thanks for the posting. I have been reusing my sensors. I don't use there tape I use the round clear patch. I place the none stick paper from bandage. I put paper in center of patch to line up with sensor plug. This allows me to remove the bandage to remove transmitter with out pulling out sensor. I have went for 4 weeks on a sensor. On fourth week no itching or inflammation. I switch arms each month. My reading still remain close to my blood sticks. This has also held on longer this way then the original bandage without having accidental pull outs while wood working or working on my car

[@cynthiaandersen3211]

So glad I found your video on extending a Medtronic Guardian sensor. It was very very helpful. If I can always get at least 14 days out of each sensor that gets me twice as far as if I was only using it for a week. It's really nice to get more out of the money that you're spending for these supplies when you really can't live without them. To get anything to last a little longer is always a bonus! I like always stretching the almighty dollar and pinching those pennies LOL.

[@leanepilling7456]

I have been doing this for two years now, through my Diabetes educator and yes it can be done to extend. And No Medtronic do not like you doing this because it’s not cost effective for them It’s all about the money.

[@josef4059]

It took multiple jabs to get a sensor started last week. For one reason or another one popped out, two didn’t register at all and I had to delete the transmitter and upload it again. I finally accomplished a text book insertion and I’m extending another 7 days. So far so good! Thank you for this informative video.

[@micksmixxx]

Thank you, Steven. I did speak with a Medtronic/MiniMed representative precisely about how I might be able to do this and was informed that it's "impossible" to do. I'm glad that someone has found a way to accomplish it as the cost of supplies really concerns me ... and I live in the UK where I don't have to pay anything for my diabetes supplies.

[@Moyersteven1]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could help. Medtronic will tell you "It cant be done" or "dont do that" because they loose money. I've been doing it for 2 years now and have stocked up enough sensors that I havent ordered any in almost a year. Here in the US the sensors cost me $562 for a box of 5. Hope all is well.

[@micksmixxx]

@@Moyersteven1 Thank you for your response, sir. I do appreciate that Medtronic/MiniMed would be 'losing out' on getting more money from people, but with the prices they charge for their consumables I would expect them to have a bit of leeway on this. On the Medtronic/MiniMed eShop the prices are very similar over here in the UK, though they don't allow you to purchase them if your consumables are paid for by our NHS (National Health Service), which is financed via direct taxation of all working people. As it happens, I also had a similar palaver with Libre and their FreeStyle range of CGM. I couldn't get it to register with their CGM Reader so asked about 'resetting' it. To which they responded that it was impossible ... asking me to return the sensor and it would be replaced. By the time I received a response, however, I'd taken out the sensor and it was in a sharps container. I wasn't going to start messing about with a load of sharps to find a sensor. ;-)

[@jluebs]

@@Moyersteven1 It's not about money. If a representative told you to do this or said it was acceptable, and something bad happened as a result, not only could it harm your health, the company would be held liable. Medical companies will not ever advise or agree to a practice that is off-label for this reason. If something hasn't been tested in a clinical trial and approved and included in the instructions, the company will not and should not advise patients to do it. It's just part of how the medical device/supply industry works, don't assume it's because of greed. If you choose to do what's in the video (which I am going to do as well), that is your personal choice - but it puts any fault for bad things happening/complaints on you, not the company.

[@Dunah2010]

@@jluebs the only thing that can happen is that you get readings that are not good, when that happens you just change sensor and put a new one, I've been extended my sensor for 3 years now, and no problem at all in all this time. First was the enlite and when they introduce the guardian 3 I change to this one two years ago.

[@jluebs]

@@Dunah2010 Great, love to hear it. But my point still stands. - there needs to be several hundred people or even thousands to have the same documented experience under a clinical trial for it to be an official conclusion that ends up getting added to the instructions for the device so that that company is not held liable for giving advice to patients to do things that are off-label.

[@Amy-qc2qq]

Amazing! Thankyou so much for this ... I can't believe I forgot to order sensors! Hope this one lasts until my delivery arrives 😬

[@markburleson3283]

Thank you Steven, I have only been on the pump now for 3 years and have not had any problems until recently. I had to change insurances and went 5 months without getting any new supplies. I am going to try and extend my sensors now since I can't trust Doctor's, DME's, or insurance companies to get me what I need when I need it. Very good video.

[@Moyersteven1]

You're welcome. I hope you get it figured out. I also recommend checking out the Dexcom G6 and Tandem TSlim. Maybe your insurance will cover those. They are far better than the Medtronic. Either way, best of luck to you.

[@gastonebettarini9662]

Is it also possible with guardian 4? Thanks

[@wileycoyote19]

Hello, just ordered my insurance company's allotment of 3 boxes of Guardian 3 sensors. As we All know, big pharma Does NOT like when folk's like us find a feasible alternative to their exorbitant price's! Thank you for this video and I will let you know how it works for me. Amazing how expensive it is to want to live Healthy!!!

[@ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣΔΑΓΙΑΜΑΣ]

Thank you for the tip!!! I am using guardian 4 . It is the same routine. (I am from Greece)

[@GrassTypeKaty]

Great informative video!

[@dsmith89citadel]

I’ve just started using guardian 4 and I can’t even get them to last more than a few days let alone a week to two weeks. My first censor last five days and now my second one just went on four days. I haven’t even received the replacement for the first one yet grom Medtronic.

[@Moyersteven1]

@dsmith89citadel I switched to Dexcom G6 and Tandem TSlim X2. So Much better. Get some "Skin Tac" comes in a liquid bottle. It's a huge improvement. With my G6 sensors (They last 10 days) The sensor is still super sticky after 20 days. Skin Tac.

[@nancyDzh]

Very useful video! Thank you a lot!

[@wileycoyote19]

Hey Steven, just am So EXCITED to share with you, I made it through 2nd week on initial sensor!!! Skin shows NO signs of any adverse reaction to keeping it in same place for 14 day's! Followed your direction and had NO issues! And my BG level's were not AFFECTED! STAYED within range almost 75% of time!!

[@jaquayque5129]

thank you so much for this! I just did my first one and that damn needle had me bleeding! i know i will extend and save from needle damage and the high cost of supplies!

[@larkspurmorton908]

In case you don’t know, call them when one bleeds as they typically don’t function well and they will replace the sensor. Save the packaging and the bloody sensor, in case they need lot. Umbers or a pic of the bloody sensor. Good luck

[@Dunah2010]

don't push the inserter against the skin when putting the sensor, if you push you'll bleed .most of the times.

[@juiced71]

Thx man! Been on the pump since nov Definitely nice to find out tricks etc! If ever in a pinch this is great info !

[@lionking02024]

Thank you brother, God bless you family.

[@Dunah2010]

I've been doing this for 3 years, I think all people in pump forums know to do this :) but the way you extend the sesnor is too complicated! it's simplier than that, just take the transmitter off, charge it, and then put it again on the sensor, and then appears the window: New sensor connected, and the two options: start new sensor or reconnect: choose, star new sensor., and that's it.

[@teresasmith9453]

I tried doing this like you said but keep getting message “Change Sensor” what in the world am I doing wrong? Yes! I use the start new sensor. I wish I could get longer out of them as I have to pay for them. Would love to hear back from you. Much appreciated!

[@dr.nakazwenamwiingam-beenz3482]

Thank you. Instead of them directing us save money... They have been the opposite in some ways. .

[@jakegoulder6497]

Hey Steven, Thanks a ton for the video. Ive been doing this a few weeks now and it’s massively helpful. I hate that I have to ration my sensor use cuz of their exorbitant price.... I’ve run into one issue: my pump, for a few days in a row now, has notified me with a message saying “Sensor Updating: this may take up to 3 hours. Do not calibrate during update,” or something like that. Medtronic says the pump’s “deciding whether or not the sensor readings are reliable.” Have you had this issue at all? Any way to resolve it?

[@larkspurmorton908]

I’m new to the guardian sensors and got my first message like that today, with more than a day left in the life of the sensor.

[@jorgeperez288]

Awesome 👌. Thanks for the information

[@diabeautiful1]

Hi I've been using this pump since 2020 and never thought about this. Life saver!! Thank you so much.

[@ABCXYZ-bg2le]

Great video! Thanks for the tip! Stay safe and healthy, friend!

[@irondefender4506]

Thanks for the video! I just started on the sensor recently and kept getting the expired message when I tried to reuse it. Now I'm good to go after your video!

[@glasshousefuture6836]

Do any of you get scarring like I do when I dont remove and change my insertion site for my pump? Or do you get any infections? Is that why the numbers go far off? Today will be my first time changing my new (to me) 780g sensor site since I got it last week on 9.13.2023.

[@rolay8043]

Hi, I tried this method (I don't have a pump, only the app on my phone) It asks me every 6 hour to calibrate, so I can't sleep at night without it waking me up. Do you know why this happens?

[@richakamra9207]

I am using Abbott's FreeStyle Libre with Ambrosia's blucon and can get my glucose readings on my apple watch even without the phone. I can share readings with upto 5 people in almost real-time. Can get alarms and my loved one can also get an alarm if my glucose is out of range.

[@l.d.8310]

This works great thank you

[@bels1303]

Do you ever have a problem with a new sensor? The second day it lost the signal then it reset an hour later. Then the next day same thing happened. This is my husbands only second sensor and we are wondering if this is going to be a regular problem.

[@eliza.schuyler.]

i do this but on the 2nd day the sensor goes into update and after 3 hrs of updating it says change sensor. any tipps to overcome this?

[@conrad4667]

I do the same thing, and have from day one, with both 630 and 670 and too have found it doesn’t work well past 14 days. Recently, for different reasons, both my pump and transmitter have been replaced and it has become a trick to extend the life of a sensor. Do you use “Start New Sensor” or “Reconnect Sensor” when starting the 2nd week? I don’t get the need for the razor blade. I peel off transparent film dressing and “flap” and replace.

[@dr.nakazwenamwiingam-beenz3482]

Very helpful.... Thkx

[@jasonhuang8103]

Thanks so much for sharing. Have you ever got any problems about this extension way? For example, allergy or inflammation. I fully understand it's only you, not for everyone but just wondering. Much appreciated.

[@toniewright116]

I have found that the sensor gives up the ghost before infection. It will just ask you for more calibrations until it just gives you the shits :D

[@adamwentworth1268]

I have never had any irritation or otherwise from the sensor, even into a third run. It's been stellar. I have enough problems with insertion that I prefer restarting over using new ones!

[@tomharper8842]

Do this all the time. Use small hemostat and scissors (from Amazon) - recharge transmitter and reinsert in sensor. May not last full 7 days and blood sugar readings not quite as good but saves a lot of money.

[@queensmarine6506]

Thanks so much!

[@blascoca]

Nice trick bro! I have doubt about placing sensor or insulin pump on zones of my skin with tattos, did you have any problem with your arm?

[@Moyersteven1]

I have been using my sensors and pump sites over/on my tattoos for many years with no issues whatsoever.

[@mikejennings7494]

All of my sensor sites are heavily tattooed, and I've had no problems at all

[@jameshallahan4376]

Good trick putting sensor on back of arm - ouch

[@MariaSwan-c1z]

Great video thanks Steven

[@itsNeekaBoo]

i’m also heavily tattooed but have been told im not supposed to put the sensor where my skin is tattooed (they also told me i wouldn’t be able to put the sensor on my own arm without someone helping me, but i’ve debunked that lol), which theoretically leaves me with barely any space to “rotate sites”, however i see your sensor is resting on a tattoo, so i’m wondering what’s really the deal with that, does it affect readings, skin health, etc., why do they generally advise against putting it on tattoos? or is that only applicable for fresh tatts? the educator didn’t really say much about that.

[@Moyersteven1]

That's just for fresh Tattoos. I've been putting sensors on my Tattoos for over 4 years now without any issues. My readings are just fine.

[@itsNeekaBoo]

@@Moyersteven1 ok that makes more sense. Thank you!

[@louiseeckert1574]

In Australia, Medtronic only “allows” us to put the sensors on our stomach...that it!!! ONLY STOMACH 👊

[@linmoore5705]

@@louiseeckert1574 so when you see a healthcare professional who will actually LOOK at the sensor site, put it in the stomach. Otherwise, how do they know or really care?

[@Ldyrev1]

Thanks for sharing!

[@oleherup7643]

thanks for sharing this

[@daarinaogaldez615]

Thanks for sharing, do you press reconnect on the pump? Thanks

[@louiseeckert1574]

Howdy! Type 1 for 25yrs. Animas pump for 12yrs. Medtronic for 8mths. I can’t work out how to change the goal BGL target when in auto mode... Sorry to. Other you. Louise, Australia 🦘

[@tinaz.5465]

Hi Steven, Do you currently have any issues with the guardian 3 sensors and if so how do you fix them?

[@Moyersteven1]

Constantly had issues. I always reported then to Medtronic. I now use the Dexcom G6 and it's 100x better. Unfortunately that's the problem with the Guardian Sensor 3. It gives many people a lot of issues. You can try using new spots. One thing that helped me and many others is putting in your new sensor 12-24 hours before your current one Expires. That way the new one has been "Soaking" in your skin and it tends to help quite a bit for a lot of people. Hope this helps. You may consider the Dexcom G6 and TSlim X2. It's completely changed my life for the better.

[@tinaz.5465]

@@Moyersteven1 Thank you so much for your reply and the advice. I´ll definitely try this!

[@brian6268]

The Guardian sensors are junk and whenever you call Medtronic for help they default to user error. Very frustrating. I just went through an entire box that only went a maximum of 5 days before getting multiple “sensor updating” messages and eventual failures. Always happened overnight, which is doubly frustrating and wouldn’t you know it, I was traveling on top of it while going through this box. I’ll be asking about Dexcom and T-slim at my next appointment with the endocrinologist. I don’t know why Medtronic doesn’t partner with one of the better sensor companies to improve their outdated and unreliable technology.

[@marydreiman7715]

Thank you tons!

[@JosefineVFX]

its not safe to leave it in for more than it says, it can then mesure wrong and it will give you more porblems in the future

[@neilspector9221]

Agree plus the risk of infection. It just seems dumb to do this.

[@nathanfoti5307]

The freestyle libre is 14days on..

[@jennp023pr]

@@nathanfoti5307 exactly! 😂

[@teresasmith9453]

Steven this is my first time watching your video. I’m in the US and I have to pay for my sensors. This is truly amazing idea. Actually I’ve just tried doing this but it didn’t quiet work for me, keep getting message “Change Sensor” is there something I’m doing wrong??

[@lizzysheshed9672]

My hubby has a Dexcom G5, same thing only different! Thank you Steve!

[@Moyersteven1]

You're welcome. I now use the Dexcom as well and extend with my G6. Its awesome. Thank you!

[@Amy-qc2qq]

I used to use Dexcom and I'd easily get 3-4 weeks out of each sensor! Now I get funding but they won't fund Dexcom so on the Medtronic :-/

[@Moyersteven1]

@@Amy-qc2qq I just switched to the Dexcom G6 and TSlim. Way better and yes I get 20+ days feom my G6. I absolutely hate the Medtronic sensors.

[@myhideaway08]

@@Amy-qc2qq that's crazy. Thankfully my husband is covered

[@ravenivey6813]

Most definitely!!! Thanks

[@lorilivingston1391]

I am trying to find sensors I ran out and am waiting for insurance approval

[@Moyersteven1]

I've got 3 or 4 left for sale. Message me on Instagram or Facebook.

[@toniewright116]

AUSTRALIAN VIEWERS PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE NOW FREE I have posted before and thanks for the video. Great stuff. But yeah when I went to my Endo last week he said that I can get these at my pharmacy along with my other bits n pieces. I cant figure out why these are covered but not insertion kits and reservoirs :/ but I'm not complaining..... :D :D :D :D :D

[@thefinancialstrengthprojec7147]

What do you mean mate? Im still paying 250 a month for my guardian sensors?

[@deadweightdesu]

They're not free??

[@louiseeckert1574]

I think They are only free in Aust if you’re on a healthcare card, and yr endo signs you off to get the special govt grant. Louise, Australia 🦘

[@jacksonceli7769]

Hellow I cant charge the transmitter all way full charge anybody knows what should I do I won’t charge

[@Moyersteven1]

Hello, Call Medtronic and they will send you a new one.

[@jacksonceli7769]

Steven's Tech thank you 🙏

[@Kevin-kf5dn]

I was on the old Enlite sensors, and my transmitter battery wouldn't hold a charge for the full 7 days. I called Medtronic and they told me the old transmitters were no longer available. So, as an electronic technician, I carefully opened the transmitter, located the battery, measured the size and value, and ordered a replacement rechargeable battery from DigiKey. I installed the new battery, and it kept me going until Enlite sensors were no longer available. The Enlite sensors would get a weak signal and quit at exactly 7 days.

[@smokeweedaily]

With each sensor behind upwards of $100 each, this will save a lot of money. Thanks for the info.

[@Moyersteven1]

You're welcome. I'm glad I could help some. Us Diabetics go through enough on top of the outrageous prices for things that help keep us alive.

[@JosefineVFX]

it can give you problems in the future when you don't use it as told by a profesjonal and a youtuber dosn't count

[@stillbeard]

Was that a 670 or 630 pump?

[@conrad4667]

I get two weeks life from my sensors too, with both 630 and 670 pumps.

[@ianludwig6382]

Thanks for the basic yet informative upload. I buggered up my first 2 sensors (due to the pump not being set up properly) so this will save me as the 5 pack in Australia is $385. So in a nutshell, you disconnect, recharge, reconnect, reset DONE!

[@benwahhhh]

385 for 5 little piece of almost nothing??. À libre sensor is sold 49€ here and it contains a pcb with chips and Bluetooth and battery... This guardian sensor should be sold 5 $ and they would still make a lot of money out of it... They really abuse customers....

[@benwahhhh]

Just for my information, how much is the transmitter? And the reservoir+tube?

[@TheRebuilt1]

good idea but keep in mind the body starts to heal up when you insert that sensor so I doubt the measurement will be as accurate due to change in blood flow as the body starts to heal. I am sure your validations throughout the day will confirm this in the second week of using this method. Just think would your body take two weeks to heal a cut on your skin?

[@rononeal123]

What’s the point of doing this?

[@adamwentworth1268]

These sensors are extremely expensive for some of us. Even after insurance pays a bit, I'm left with a very high out-of-pocket cost, so using a sensor for two, or maybe even three, weeks saves a LOT of money in the long term. Basically, the one-week limit on a sensor is completely artificial. This is like printer ink cartridges claiming they need replaced after a set age. Some might say it's predatory, but really, it's a safety mechanism, because an insulin pump running off of wildly inaccurate sensor readings COULD be extremely dangerous in some situations.