Sensors & Transmitters
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Review the Introduction to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) class.
Calibration
What It Is
How to Calibrate
Best Times to Calibrate
Why Sensor Readings are Different From BG Readings
Important
Always rely on BG meter readings for therapy adjustments.
Your blood glucose (BG) meter measures glucose levels in your blood, and your glucose sensor measures glucose levels in the fluid surrounding the cells in your tissue, which is called interstitial fluid.
Most of the time, glucose travels first to your blood and then to your interstitial fluid. Because of how glucose travels, your BG meter readings and sensor glucose readings will rarely match exactly. This is normal and should be expected.
Important
Focus on what matters: the direction and the speed of the sensor glucose change. Pay less attention to each individual glucose number and more attention to the trends.
Usually your BG meter readings and your sensor readings will be close. However, when glucose levels are rising or falling quickly, you should expect to see a larger difference between your BG meter value and the sensor glucose reading. Examples of times when this may occur include:
After meals or after bolus insulin
When UP or DOWN arrows appear on your device screen
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Did You Know
Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) does NOT eliminate the need for BG meter readings (fingersticks).
Did You Know
You do not need to wait until you are alerted to calibrate. You can calibrate at any time when your glucose is stable. Time your calibrations so you will not have to wake up in the middle of the night. For example, if it’s 9 pm and you know a calibration will be required by 3 am, go ahead and calibrate before bed. This will start the 12 hour calibration clock over.
Personal Stories
I normally find that it works best for me to calibrate when I first wake up.
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