The Dexcom G6 is the about advanced model currently available from market-leading continuous glucose monitor (CGM) company Dexcom based in San Diego, California.

A start-of-its-kind offering that brought a new course cistron to this CGM, it offers directly-to-mobile app connectivity without a need to acquit a split receiver. Also, the Food and Drug Assistants (FDA) determined this device is accurate enough to NOT require regular fingerstick glucose tests to calibrate the system.

Even if you're not personally familiar with this impactful and popular diabetes device, y'all may accept seen TV commercials for it, or heard about Dexcom's Super Bowl ad in February 2021 featuring celebrity singer-player Nick Jonas (who lives with type 1 diabetes himself and uses Dexcom'south product).

If y'all're curious near the Dexcom G6, you're in the right place to observe out everything yous demand to know!

First cleared past the FDA in March 2018, the G6 was the beginning-always CGM to offer straight-to-smartphone app connectivity without requiring a separate receiver, although users can still opt to use one or the other. Information technology was also the outset to do away with the requirement to take fingerstick tests to calibrate for accuracy.

Hither's breakup of what the system entails:

Transmitter. This is the thin gray part that clicks on top of the sensor casing worn on the torso. It functions like the brain of the system. The G6 transmitter is a third smaller, thinner, and lower-profile than the previous model. It has a 3-calendar month battery life. With born Bluetooth connectivity, the G6 sends results every five minutes straight to a smartphone app, a dissever receiver, or to uniform devices within twenty feet.

No fingersticks required. The G6 does not crave once or twice-a-day calibrations as previous versions did. That means it has a non-adjunctive designation from the FDA, and then information technology can be used in making insulin dosing and treatment decisions without a backup fingerstick test. What's awesome is that even though the G6 is manufacturing plant-calibrated, Dexcom has built in the capability for users to still enter calibrations manually if they choose to practice and so (for extra confidence in accuracy).

Disposable auto-inserter. The G6 offered a whole new inserter design for the kickoff time in many years. Information technology'south a plastic, spring-loaded self-contained auto-applicator that requires you to do nothing simply printing an orange push to inject a new sensor. It's even good for i-handed insertions! The sensors come in boxes of three, pre-assembled into the machine-inserter, and then no needles are exposed. To insert, you pull the adhesive backing, place the unit of measurement on your skin, and push the button. The disposal applicator piece volition automatically separate from the sensor once it'due south on your body.

Sensor code. But there's more! Each Dexcom G6 sensor has a four-number code printed on that adhesive backing that you peel off before attaching the sensor to your trunk. You need to enter that lawmaking into the mobile app or split receiver device just prior to insertion, which triggers the "no calibration" functionality. Notation that if this code is not scanned or entered, the sensor volition require the daily calibrations every 12 hours, as was required with the G5 model.

ten-24-hour interval wear. The h2o-resistant G6 sensor is said to be more accurate and reliable, and tin can be worn for 10 days compared to the previous 7 days.There is now a hard-shutoff at the x-mean solar day mark, meaning you won't be able to extend the sensor for prolonged vesture, as many people did with previous versions. The FDA really laid this out in a letter to Dexcom describing requirements for the G6. There are some Do-Information technology-Yourself methods to restart a sensor, but those are considered "off-label" and not endorsed by the FDA.

Young kids. The Dexcom G6 is approved for ages 2 and older.

Cheerio, Tylenol effect. No more interference from medications containing acetaminophen (Tylenol), which has been an ongoing issue in the CGM world. The G6 has a special membrane on each sensor that eliminates the torso chemistry interference from these medications, which previously could requite false high glucose results.

Mobile app. After a 2-60 minutes warmup menstruum without any data, the G6 mobile app starts showing glucose results. It displays a circumvolve with the current real-time glucose level and advisable Grey/Red/Yellow colour code depending on whether y'all're In Range, Low or Loftier. A niggling arrow points in the direction yous're trending, and the graph with glucose value dots and other inputted data similar insulin/carbs/exercise is displayed below that. Want to view more than the by 3 hours of CGM data? Turn your smartphone horizontally to encounter upward to 24 hours of data and scroll back accordingly. Data can be shared via the separate Dexcom Follow app with equally many as 10 people, and with a doctor'due south office through the Dexcom Clarity platform.

Predictive alerts. You'll become an "Urgent Low Soon" alert whenever the sensor picks upwards that glucose levels are falling fast and predicts you'll drop to 55 mg/dL inside 20 minutes. This alert is required by the FDA and cannot exist turned off, unlike the other G6 alerts and alarms that tin all be silenced.

Customizable alerts. Y'all can set different warning preferences for times of twenty-four hour period or night. There'due south a "Do Not Disturb" feature for audible or vibration alerts, though the "Snooze" feature is disabled on important alerts like "Urgent Low" and "Sensor/Transmitter Failure."

Both iOS and Android. The G6 app works with both Apple and Android, but not with every model. Here's a list of specific compatible devices, although information technology's not entirely clear which devices or wearables are seamlessly compatible from the first. Also, Dexcom says the G6 won't yet ship data directly to an Apple tree or Android lookout without the phone.

Come across this nifty G6 simulator app available on both iTunes and Google Play to have the Dexcom G6 app for a trial run.

To view glucose data trends and transport reports to your healthcare providers, you'll want to utilize Dexcom CLARITY, the company'south web-based software available to customers at no cost both online and through the Dexcom G6 smartphone app.

On the G6 app, you simply turn the orientation of your smartphone to horizontal view, and you'll encounter a greenish icon with 4 vertical lines in the upper right corner. Clicking on that icon takes you directly to the Dexcom CLARITY app.

CLARITY shows your average glucose for whatever number of dissimilar days, reports for the by 24 hours to iii months, and comparing charts to help you encounter how you managed during different periods. For example, if you started on a new insulin pump a month ago, yous can easily view how your CGM information for the past month may differ from the weeks or months prior.

Two other popular features of CLARITY include:

  • Time in Range view: shows the percentage of time that your glucose levels are in low, target and high ranges. The default "in-target" range is 70-180 mg/dL, which may not be what you set for your CGM, then you can change the Dexcom CLARITY ranges in Settings to your preferred targets.
  • Glucose Management Indicator (GMI): this approximates the laboratory A1C result yous might expect, based on your average glucose from the most recent 12 days of CGM data. This isn't a precise prediction, simply many employ this characteristic to help them get a better idea where they stand on that three-month average upshot.

Yous tin also grant admission to your CLARITY information to your healthcare clinic or medico's do. Y'all merely authorize this via the app or on the CLARITY website, which allows them to login at no cost and view your data. Notably, using the CLARITY overview report is billable to insurance, so your doctors can get reimbursed for interpreting and reviewing your CGM information, through Medicare or individual insurers. The billing code (aka CPT lawmaking) is 95251.

Dexcom CGMs are covered past a large array of individual insurers in the United States. As of fall 2020, Medicare does encompass the Dexcom G6, likewise.

Of form, benefits vary by plan, and then you'll need to check with yours. Just call up that you'll need a prescription for the G6 transmitter as well as the box of sensors, so you'll take to work with a healthcare professional person before purchasing.

Until spring 2021, Dexcom sold their systems and supplies directly via their website. But they now work with distributors like Edgepark for online ordering.

Brusk reply: The Dexcom G6 is a dandy tool for any adult or child with any type of diabetes, including those who are pregnant or diagnosed with gestational diabetes, given how important tight glucose management is during pregnancy.

The benefits of CGM use are well-documented:

  • helps avoid astringent high or low claret sugars, especially immediately dangerous hypoglycemic events
  • helps guide insulin dosing and safeguard users from suffering mistakes
  • sense of safety and security for those who don't feel dangerous lows coming on (hypoglycemia unawareness)
  • increased glucose "fourth dimension in range" for better diabetes control
  • lets users see and learn from the direct impact of their food and physical action on their body

In fact, CGM is so powerful for improving overall health outcomes that it'due south quickly condign a consumer health product.

There's niggling dubiety that all people with diabetes tin benefit, but recent studies evidence that CGMs may be especially beneficial for the groups that tend to article of clothing them the to the lowest degree — teens, young adults, and older adults.

When the FDA approved the G6 in 2018, the agency created a brand-new category of device that it refers to as "iCGM," or Integrated CGM — a system designed to connect directly with other compatible devices, such as a smartphone, insulin pump, or other clothing.

Devices that currently work the Dexcom G6 include the latest Omnipod tubeless insulin pump, likewise as the tubed Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump with Basal-IQ and Control-IQ closed loop features. Not sure whether your device is compatible with Dexcom G6? You tin check that out here.

What's exciting is that the future Dexcom G7 model volition have fifty-fifty more advanced features, and integration with automated diabetes management systems.

Based on customer reviews from consumer sites like the Amend Business concern Bureau and Trustpilot, people are generally satisfied with the Dexcom G6 and find that it helps them improve and manage their glucose levels. The most common complaints are those relating to customer service, insurance claims, and deliveries.

Many online reviewers say the Dexcom G6 is extremely reliable and accurate, nonetheless others report finding that the transmitters exercise not always last the full 90 days and sensors as well fail early earlier the total 10 days.

As a result, a common gripe is having to spend a lot of time contacting Dexcom's technical support, either by phone, text or online, to get a replacement sensor sent to them within 3 to 5 days.

DiabetesMine'south own founder and editor Amy Tenderich was an early user of the G6 model, and described the accuracy equally "astoundingly practiced." She reported fewer lost connections in comparison to the previous CGM generation. She as well noted that her sensors sometimes irritated the skin, or peeled off also soon, due to the adhesive used.

Personally, I have found the Dexcom G6 to be accurate and helpful — when information technology keeps working as it should. Oft, my G6 sensors fail afterwards 5 to vi days, and so I only become about half the apply fourth dimension I'm due.

A real life-changer is the "Urgent Low Glucose" predictive alert that lets me know when I'1000 going to cross the threshold of 55 mg/dL in the next xx minutes. Knowing ahead of time ways I tin have action before crashing into a unsafe low.

Also, the redesigned auto-inserters get in so much easier to insert a new sensor by myself, unmarried-handed. The older G4/G5 inserter was described by some as a "harpoon," whereas information technology's rare to run across users lament about hurting with the G6 inserter. Simply for me, the larger bulkier size of this new applicator is a bummer because I can't just toss it into my homemade sharps containers like I could with the older, thin sensor devices.

Some user tips that seem to exist floated nigh frequently for the G6:

  • Brand sure you're hydrated, in gild to ensure amend glucose information and sensor reliability.
  • Apply some nasal allergy spray on your skin and a medical agglutinative wipe to fix for insertion. This helps avoid skin irritation and continue the sensor on longer.
  • Fifty-fifty though you can enter fingersticks to calibrate the G6, information technology'southward non required, and inbound multiple results in a short period of time can cause the CGM to get confused. Expect at least 30 minutes if it loses a signal or is trying to recalculate your glucose levels, to see if it can re-establish a solid connection with accurate information.

In that location are several other CGM systems on the market that are similar to the Dexcom G6. Here are a few to consider:

  • Medtronic's Minimed Guardian Connect. This stand-alone CGM sends updates, notifications, and predictions to your smartphone. Like the Dexcom, it can help stabilize glucose levels. But it is only approved for 7-day vesture, and many users say the sensor is less comfy on the body. This device is FDA-canonical for people with diabetes ages 17 to 75.
  • FreeStyle Libre by Abbott. This is a "flash glucose monitor" that consists of a petty white round sensor worn on your upper arm. You have to manually scan the sensor each fourth dimension you desire a reading, using a handheld receiver or smartphone app. The latest Libre 2 version offers 14-day wear and optional alerts for low and high glucose levels. The FDA has canonical this device for kids as young as 4 years erstwhile.
  • Eversense past Senseonics. This is a tiny sensor that's implanted nether the peel in your upper arm. You habiliment a transmitter over the insertion spot on your arm, which streams glucose data continuously to your smartphone. This requires a dr.'s function visit to insert and remove each sensor, and some people detect that they incur minor scars on their arm from the process. This long-term option is approved for 90-day clothing in the Usa and 180-twenty-four hour period wearable in Europe. Information technology is currently FDA-approved for people 18 and up.

The Dexcom G6 is the latest and most pop CGM on the market place from a visitor that'southward been developing CGM technology for nearly twenty years.

It offers existent-fourth dimension glucose data, complete with a range of alarms and customizable alerts to predict unsafe out-of-range glucose levels, and also allows for more proactive diabetes management.

With its piece of cake-to-use form cistron, high accuracy ratings, and compatibility with other diabetes devices, the Dexcom G6 tin be an first-class option for anyone with diabetes to consider. However, it can exist quite costly besides as frustrating when the product doesn't deliver as promised.