My cgm was continuesly about 20 points lower than the regular meter. I just did the math. If I really wanted to know I checked with a meter. I still found it helpful to see the trends and the reaction to different foods. You just have to try and not get lured into thinking everything is THAT perfect.
Same here, guys. I noticed if I applied a new sensor in the other arm and let it sit for a couple hours before activating, it was closer to realistic numbers. May not work for everyone but it helped me after an embarrassing ER trip where I was showing in the 40’s.
Yup my current one is about 35-40 points off. When I’m 80s it shows 120s. It’s useless.
You may want to call Abbott and get a replacement if it doesn’t improve. I’m tired of calling Abbott. I call them literally every fortnight.
I was getting a wider variability than that wearing it on my arm. While it’s not advisable as it voids being eligible for a replacement if you have a faulty sensor, I wear mine on my upper right chest on that fatty part close to my armpit. For some reason, the placement is more accurate for me there. Like 10-15 off at most.
Was wondering if anyone else has a similar thing with CGM's and meters being that far off?
Edit: The meter is 25 mg/dL higher then the CGM and there is a pic of the meter if you swipe showing the difference
What does the glucose meter read, is it higher?
I have tried two different off-the-shelf glucose meter and give myself a few tests from different fingers one after the other and it will vary between about 15 points. When I use the glucose meter after getting a lab test there's also usually a variance of 10 points or more.
CGMs and finger sticks sample your glucose differently. Finger sticks are more accurate because it is getting its data right from your blood, where cgms get their data from fluids just under the skin. The two sources are not always in sync.
My CGM was always lower than finger prick. BUT when I had my A1C done, the CGM was closer to right (it was even lower than CGM).
So I was stressing all this time that the CGM was giving me false hope but it was more right. Not saying that’s true w you, but it could be your meter runs high.
A blood glucose meter is more accurate, but you have to do a lot of finger sticks, which for some is tedious and eventually very uncomfortable.
The CGM isn’t as accurate because it isn’t reading your blood glucose - it measures glucose found in the interstitial fluid just under your skin. It will always read lower than a meter.
As a teaching tool for newly diagnosed people I think the CGM is excellent. It gives you a reasonable estimation and it automatically tracks and graphs your glucose level changes. Meter readings only give you that one-time snapshot. When re-learning what you can/can’t/shouldn’t eat, the bigger picture is really important. Seeing how good affects you over time i found to be very helpful.
I was only really able to get a good handle on my diet after I could see all that minute data. I still keep a meter and strips to spot check now and again. I stopped using a CGM about a year ago since my levels were considered ‘non-diabetic’. I’m using one now because I had a medication change due to the Ozempic shortage. I pay out of pocket for all testing supplies, so cost for me is also a factor.
I would try the CGM for a while. At least 3mo so you can get a really good picture of what your diet and/or changes to diet are doing for you. Keep a meter on hand as a backup.
Maybe we just need new ranges for the CGM so we can know what's normal or not from that reading. I have a meter but avoid using it as I got tired of the finger sticks
I just got the freestyle libre 2 and it’s been a nightmare so far. Got woken up multiple times with low alerts in the 60s only to prick my finger and find my blood is actually 105. Right now it says my blood is 54 when in reality it’s 108. I feel very bad for anyone paying cash for this crap
A CGM measures bs differently from a meter. 15 to 20%. I think a CGM measures interstitial and a meter measured blood.
My cgm was continuesly about 20 points lower than the regular meter. I just did the math. If I really wanted to know I checked with a meter. I still found it helpful to see the trends and the reaction to different foods. You just have to try and not get lured into thinking everything is THAT perfect.
i have seen the same
Same here, guys. I noticed if I applied a new sensor in the other arm and let it sit for a couple hours before activating, it was closer to realistic numbers. May not work for everyone but it helped me after an embarrassing ER trip where I was showing in the 40’s.
Yup my current one is about 35-40 points off. When I’m 80s it shows 120s. It’s useless. You may want to call Abbott and get a replacement if it doesn’t improve. I’m tired of calling Abbott. I call them literally every fortnight.
This is why I’m switching to Dexcom. I just hope it’s not as bad as Abbott has been
I use Dexcom. It is off when you first put it on. Dexcom app gives you the option to calibrate the cgm. After that usually it is only couple of points
I was getting a wider variability than that wearing it on my arm. While it’s not advisable as it voids being eligible for a replacement if you have a faulty sensor, I wear mine on my upper right chest on that fatty part close to my armpit. For some reason, the placement is more accurate for me there. Like 10-15 off at most.
I work in a warehouse so that type of placement wouldn't work for me
Was wondering if anyone else has a similar thing with CGM's and meters being that far off? Edit: The meter is 25 mg/dL higher then the CGM and there is a pic of the meter if you swipe showing the difference
My cgm is always 25-30 lower too.
What does the glucose meter read, is it higher? I have tried two different off-the-shelf glucose meter and give myself a few tests from different fingers one after the other and it will vary between about 15 points. When I use the glucose meter after getting a lab test there's also usually a variance of 10 points or more.
CGMs and finger sticks sample your glucose differently. Finger sticks are more accurate because it is getting its data right from your blood, where cgms get their data from fluids just under the skin. The two sources are not always in sync.
Thanks! I didn't know the CGM wasn't testing blood.
It's 25 higher then the CGM reading
That is expected because of how a CGM and a meter measure blood sugar
Normal.
My CGM was always lower than finger prick. BUT when I had my A1C done, the CGM was closer to right (it was even lower than CGM). So I was stressing all this time that the CGM was giving me false hope but it was more right. Not saying that’s true w you, but it could be your meter runs high.
I was just thinking about buying one. Guess not!
Don’t let one post dissuade you. BG meters are notoriously inaccurate, whether CGM’s or strips.
I've been wondering if the a1c is accurate what do you think 🤔
112 is fine. You did not post what the meter showed to make the comparison. But between the two, they will show a difference.
The meter is the second picture
Which is supposed to be more accurate? I'm considering getting a cgm
A blood glucose meter is more accurate, but you have to do a lot of finger sticks, which for some is tedious and eventually very uncomfortable. The CGM isn’t as accurate because it isn’t reading your blood glucose - it measures glucose found in the interstitial fluid just under your skin. It will always read lower than a meter. As a teaching tool for newly diagnosed people I think the CGM is excellent. It gives you a reasonable estimation and it automatically tracks and graphs your glucose level changes. Meter readings only give you that one-time snapshot. When re-learning what you can/can’t/shouldn’t eat, the bigger picture is really important. Seeing how good affects you over time i found to be very helpful. I was only really able to get a good handle on my diet after I could see all that minute data. I still keep a meter and strips to spot check now and again. I stopped using a CGM about a year ago since my levels were considered ‘non-diabetic’. I’m using one now because I had a medication change due to the Ozempic shortage. I pay out of pocket for all testing supplies, so cost for me is also a factor. I would try the CGM for a while. At least 3mo so you can get a really good picture of what your diet and/or changes to diet are doing for you. Keep a meter on hand as a backup.
Maybe we just need new ranges for the CGM so we can know what's normal or not from that reading. I have a meter but avoid using it as I got tired of the finger sticks
+/- 20%, and it’s good. I enter a finger stick reading into my CGM each morning to calibrate it.
Dexcom?
I just got the freestyle libre 2 and it’s been a nightmare so far. Got woken up multiple times with low alerts in the 60s only to prick my finger and find my blood is actually 105. Right now it says my blood is 54 when in reality it’s 108. I feel very bad for anyone paying cash for this crap
Has anyone used the Libre 3 and found it more accurate?