Having a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) like the Dexcom can be instrumental in managing blood sugar levels. However, discrepancies between CGM and glucometer readings may arise, leading to confusion. Understanding these differences is vital.

A CGM measures glucose using interstitial fluid beneath the skin, whereas a glucometer reads blood glucose directly. Due to this, CGM readings can lag 5 to 10 minutes behind actual blood glucose fluctuations. This lag can cause variations during rapid changes in blood sugar levels.

Despite time lags, CGM readings should be close to glucometer results under stable conditions. The rule of thumb is that the CGM is accurate if its reading deviates by no more than 20 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or 20% from your actual blood glucose level measured by a glucometer.

• Open the Dexcom T7 app.
• Press the '+' sign in the top right corner, select 'BL Glucose'.
• Input confirmed blood glucose readings and select 'Calibrate'.
• Check and confirm the input values to save the calibration.

While some users perform two calibrations close together to force faster adjustments, typical practice is to calibrate once and allow the system to adapt gradually.

Avoid calibrating when blood sugar is changing rapidly. Enhanced sensor accuracy checks include using multiple finger sticks to ensure baseline readings are consistent before calibration. It's helpful to assess accuracy during the initial and final hours of the sensor's lifespan.

Utilize finger sticks sporadically to verify the sensor's accuracy over its deployment. This occasional verification helps ensure the information provided by your CGM remains reliable throughout.

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