CALIBRATING YOUR DEXCOM G5 (or G-whatever)
There are “good” and “not-so-good” ways to calibrate. The following is what has worked well for my daughter:
1. After starting a new sensor (or re-starting one that’s still working at the 7-day mark), wait at least 10 minutes between the first two calibrations. Calibrate at least two hours after a meal or after treating a low BG.
2. Although it can be very tempting, do not calibrate more than twice daily and only when requested to do so. *Exception: I throw in one to two extra calibrations during the first 12 hours of a new sensor if the numbers are a little wonky.
**Sometimes I get a little calibration-happy when my daughter’s sensor is getting a little “ripe”, i.e. over 15 plus days old, if the Dexcom readings seem significantly wonky (at which point, she’d be better off if I just bit the bullet and put in a new sensor.)
3. CALIBRATE ONLY WHEN THE DIRECTIONAL ARROW IS HORIZONTAL. I repeat: CALIBRATE ONLY WHEN THE DIRECTIONAL ARROW IS HORIZONTAL. Trust me on this! Your sensor continues to function after the big red blood drop screams at you to calibrate right now. Tell it to hold its horses and you’ll calibrate when you’re good and ready (when the directional arrow mellows out and becomes horizontal.) No ones Dexcom has stopped working or imploded, creating a black hole that engulfed the universe, because they didn’t calibrate the instant the Red Drop of Dexcom appeared.
4. Try to avoid calibrating when BG is below 80 or over 200. Correct and get your BG within this range (80 - 200) and then calibrate ONCE THE DIRECTIONAL ARROW IS HORIZONTAL.
5. Learn to question the accuracy of your BG meter as much as, if not more than, your Dexcom. Personally, I trust the Dexcom more often than I trust the BG meter. But my daughter’s Type 1 vibes seem to resonate exceptionally well with those of her Dexcom. I often think that my daughter and her Dexcom are as one.
6. Stay well hydrated. I believe this helps produce more interstitial fluid that more accurately reflects BG levels.
7. Learn to accept the fact that the lag time after treating a low BG is going to be longer than you’d like. Keep this in mind so you don’t over-treat lows.
Good luck! In short order, you will wonder how you lived without this miracle of diabetes technology.