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Calibration

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Neckarski_94

Well-Known Member
Messages
346
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Dislikes
Diabetes!!
Started a new sensor! (Hopefully this one will last the 10 days) I need some advice on how to get the best accuracy. Do I need to calibrate after warmup? I applied the sensor before bed and activated it after 12 hours.
 
It's best not to calibrate Dexcom sensors for 24 hours, so I wouldn't do after warm up. If you have to calibrate after that time, it needs to be when your blood sugar is stable and not rising/falling.
 
Hopeful34 said:
It's best not to calibrate Dexcom sensors for 24 hours, so I wouldn't do after warm up. If you have to calibrate after that time, it needs to be when your blood sugar is stable and not rising/falling.
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Is that 24hrs after warmup has finished or after insertion? I’ve been calibrating after warmup because I don’t like the numbers being way off! Maybe that’s were I’ve been going wrong!
 
Neckarski_94 said:
Is that 24hrs after warmup has finished or after insertion? I’ve been calibrating after warmup because I don’t like the numbers being way off! Maybe that’s were I’ve been going wrong!
Click to expand...
24 hours after warm up has finished. I activated a new sensor yesterday and for a few hours it was showing hypo/low when I wasn't.Resisted the temptation to calibrate, and it's spot on as usual today.
 
Hopeful34 said:
24 hours after warm up has finished. I activated a new sensor yesterday and for a few hours it was showing hypo/low when I wasn't.Resisted the temptation to calibrate, and it's spot on as usual today.
Click to expand...
Ah ok thank you very much. Just checked BG with a finger prick 7.1 and CGM was saying 9.2!
 
When I first started using Dexcom it was a bit out, and I sometimes calibrated. After using Dexcom for a few weeks (can't remember exactly how long) it's always accurate straight after the warm up. (Yesterday was the exception in over a year).
I don't know if my body just got used to Dexcom, or if the fact I wasn't calibrating helped.
 
Hopeful34 said:
When I first started using Dexcom it was a bit out, and I sometimes calibrated. After using Dexcom for a few weeks (can't remember exactly how long) it's always accurate straight after the warm up. (Yesterday was the exception in over a year).
I don't know if my body just got used to Dexcom, or if the fact I wasn't calibrating helped.
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I’ll try and wait 24hrs (it’s going to be hard to resist temptation) If it’s still not accurate I will calibrate!

Maybe trying a different approach will make the sensor last longer because I don’t seem to be having much luck with them at the moment!
 
I usually wait 24hrs before calibrating. I have noticed that it tends to be 1 mmol too low the first time I calibrate and a few hours later it may be 1mmol too high after I have eating something.
 
Neckarski_94 said:
Started a new sensor! (Hopefully this one will last the 10 days) I need some advice on how to get the best accuracy. Do I need to calibrate after warmup? I applied the sensor before bed and activated it after 12 hours.
Click to expand...
With Dexcom don’t calibrate in the first 18 to 24 hours as they are always a little erratic in that time and calibration in that time can actually give worse reading..

You should never insert a Dexcom g7 before you plan on starting it as the time starts on insertion, g6 you can
 
UPDATE!!!

Calibrated for the first time this morning before bed. CGM was way off at 6.4. BG meter 11.1! Calibration didn’t do anything! Got up this morning CGM was saying 6.4 did a finger prick. BG meter was 8.9. Calibrated and it jumped from 6.4 to 8.3!

Oh and my sensor is bleeding again! No idea why!!
 
UPDATE!!!

Had enough!!! CGMS are a load of rubbish!! (I was going to swear but would only get removed by an Admin)
 
Are they from the same box - lot number? Grasping at straws here but maybe a faulty box? If you've got a box with a different lot number, it may be worth trying one of them.
Have you spoken to your hospital team about this?
 
Hopeful34 said:
Are they from the same box - lot number? Grasping at straws here but maybe a faulty box?
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No idea and I don’t have the box from the last sensor. Maybe!
Hopeful34 said:
If you've got a box with a different lot number, it may be worth trying one of them.
Click to expand...
I’ll have to check. Seem to be collecting sensors at the moment!
Hopeful34 said:
Have you spoken to your hospital team about this?
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No but I’m seeing my DSN Wednesday next week. I’ll see what advice she can give me. All I know is I have had enough! I don’t know if it’s the sensors, me that’s doing something wrong or if it’s my body that doesnt agree with CGMS!!!
 
Neckarski_94 said:
don’t know if it’s the sensors, me that’s doing something wrong or if it’s my body that doesnt agree with CGMS!!!
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It could be any of these. Does the cgm follow the general trend of your blood sugar when you finger prick over the course of a day?
I don't know if being newly diagnosed has any bearing on how well cgm's work due to your pancreas producing some insulin? Maybe someone else can answer that?
 
Hopeful34 said:
It could be any of these. Does the cgm follow the general trend of your blood sugar when you finger prick over the course of a day?
Click to expand...
CGM has been way off all day! Calibrated 3 times today! I daren’t calibrate anymore in case it makes the sensor fail! I accidentally calibrated when CGM was falling earlier but it was so far off! I really can’t be doing with the inaccuracy. I thought having a CGM was supposed to make my life easier!
 
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