How to Calibrate Your Dexcom G7 Receiver

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When your Dexcom G7 receiver isn't near correct when compared to how you're feeling, and the test with a regular diabetes meter is more inline with known details, trust the meter's readings. However, through infrequent calibrations, you can help your Dexcom G7 (Dexcom provided machine) learn to make better decisions to provide you with numbers that better explain your readings.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Logging a Glucose Reading

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From the Receiver

  1. 1
    Take your blood glucose using your blood glucose machine. This will depend on your machine's process, but it will require a small blood sample from your fingers.
  2. 2
    Open your receiver's Menu. Press the joystick's right key. It's marked with a tiny square, and if you press the one that would initially control your device to the right, you'll receive the Menu.
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  3. 3
    Navigate to Events. With a G7, instead of logging a calibration point under Reports as the G6 would, you'll need to log it under Events. Events is located between Reports and Settings, and you must press the down button only once to access it. Then, press the right arrow (the Submit button) again to move into the Events Menu.
  4. 4
    Log a Blood Glucose. When the menu appears, it'll initially be at the top of the menu and is what the device defaults to, so simply continue by clicking the right button.
    • The Use as Calibration should be used only if this device is to be reissued as a missed event when moving the device to another receiver, such as a mobile app or similar location, and will rarely (if ever) be used.
    • Use the Use as Calibration when using the app to log a blood glucose reading. [1]
  5. 5
    Use the Log a Blood Glucose, so just move to the right with the joystick.
  6. 6
    Log your current meter reading. The initial screen sugar reading is the last reading the sensor received, but you must provide your last glucose reading from your meter. Use the up and down parts of the joystick to step you more and less than the measured glucose, then tap the right arrow.
  7. 7
    Log the date and time each portion of the date was taken. The device initially sets the glucose reading as the time the initial glucose calibration was set up, but if it's not within a few minutes, you may need to better calibrate your meter with the date and time. It steps you through the two-digit month (MM), two-digit day (DD), four-digit year (YYYY), two-digit hour (HH), two-digit minute (MM), and two-digit second (SS), and press the right arrow from the joystick to get you to the next page.
    • Think of each time as their own separate "wheel cog", though no separate wheel is present. It will only work without special effects.
  8. 8
    Verify the glucose reading is correct. Check that the glucose result, date, and time are as you entered them.
  9. 9
    Save your reading. Press the right arrow button on the joystick to ensure that the reading is saved.
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From the Dexcom G7 App

  1. 1
    Take your blood glucose using your blood glucose machine. This will depend on your machine's process, but it will require a small blood sample from your fingers.
  2. 2
    Open the Dexcom app. The Dexcom app has the classic Dexcom circle and arrow shape, and its title is "Dexcom G7."
  3. 3
    Make sure you are logged into your Dexcom account, and that you stay logged in.
  4. 4
    Tap the History tab at the bottom of the app. This is between the Glucose and Connections tabs.
  5. 5
    Tap the + sign in the top right corner of the app. It should be to the right of the trend and glucose reading/number.
  6. 6
    Use the "Add Event" menu. Tap the "Blood Glucose" choice. This is the first selection, directly above Insulin.
    • You can either tap on the title and description, or you can tap the + to its right.
  7. 7
    Tap "Use as calibration" if the device didn't take a proper calibration or is missing data. Use as calibration is preferred for the mobile app, but if you don't mind using Log blood glucose, that's okay too.
  8. 8
    Type your BG meter volume (blood glucose meter's reading). Your phone will have you type in the numbers. Be honest with what you see from your meter. You'll find that as soon as you tap the Use as calibration, your phone will move you into this box automatically.
    • If you still can't find it, look for the "Date and time label", and it will be just above that.
  9. 9
    Ensure your meter reading is within 5 minutes of the current time.
  10. 10
    Tap Save to save your reading.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Preventing Another Mistake

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  1. 1
    Ensure the area the sensor is installed in is completely washed and dried with soap and water. [2] This ensures clean areas with clean readings, so it doesn't pick up misfires from dirt on or near the injection site, showing incorrect details.
    • Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water too, and avoid alcohol gel or having dirty fingers.
  2. 2
    Ensure the Sensor is installed correctly. Ensure it is firmly mounted alongside your body.
    • 2-6 year olds should have it installed on the back of the upper arm or buttocks. [3]
    • 7 and up year-olds should have it installed only on the back of their upper arm, [4] , never buttocks.
  3. 3
    Rotate sensor sites to avoid scarring and problems. Don't reuse sensors - sensors are a 10-day-only use time.
  4. 4
    Avoid some bodily areas.
    • Avoid loose, patchy skin.
    • Avoid very fatty or scarred areas, since they give inconsistent readings.
    • Avoid areas where the device could be bumped, pushed, jostled, or could be lain on while sleeping.
    • Avoid areas within 3 inches of an injection site or infusion.
    • Avoid hairy areas, or where waistbands or tattoos may change the reading
  5. 5
    Don't forget the overpatch. It can make sure the sensor remains firmly attached to the skin without rubbing off, and ensure a clear reading is achieved.
    • Use an adhesive barrier wipe or skin tac to help your sensor's sticking power. If you need barrier patches, you may contact Dexcom to get some.
  6. 6
    Realize it may take readings at periodic intervals. If it takes a reading when something seems lower but doesn't read until much lower, the readings may differ from how you feel, and you may want to respond to bodily feelings to ensure your glucose remains within a comfortable zone.
  7. 7
    Avoid calibration points due to rapid glucose changes (both up or down). Avoid calibration after eating or exercising.
  8. 8
    Ensure the receiver stays within three (3) feet of your sensor as it warms up. Doing so not only obtains your first readings but also continues to monitor for issues that may cause it to misfire.
    • There was a recall on some sensors that never had the needle to measure blood sugars in the sensor, which may cause some people to not get readings. However, new G7 devices have it so that devices recognize that as an error, and you must contact the company with the issue accordingly. (Call (888) 738-3646 (Dexcom, Inc.) for providing details and replacement if this occurs.
    • Warmup time for a G7 sensor doesn't vary by too much, but are 24 minutes long.
  9. 9
    Try not to calibrate just after the device warms up. Only calibrate when there's a clear error.
  10. 10
    Ensure you are within Bluetooth range after the sensor has warmed up. This should be about 20 feet between the sensor and phone for it to pull glucose readings to your app.
    • Leave your Bluetooth on.
    • Restart your device if your readings seem stuck.
  11. 11
    Trust your symptoms, but confirm all readings with your fingerstick meter.
  12. 12
    Keep your receiver batteries charged. Dexcom supplied their green Micro-USB connector when they shipped their receiver to you.
  13. 13
    Call Dexcom. Persistent mismatches must be reported, and Dexcom will replace your sensor.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dexcom.com/faqs/can-i-calibrate-dexcom-g7
      2. ↑ Dexcom G7: Start Here packet
      3. ↑ Dexcom G7: Start Here packet
      4. ↑ Dexcom G7: Start Here packet

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