Dexcom CGM Explained
Combining CGM and Insulin Pumps for Diabetes Management
Published: Jun. 3, 2025
10 min read
The content in this article should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider regarding your individual health needs.
When you’re living with diabetes, monitoring glucose levels and staying within your target glucose range means working 24/7 to look after your health. It’s a demanding job to constantly check on your glucose levels while balancing the many factors that affect your health—including diet, exercise, and sleep—to make sure you minimize the risk of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Whether you use an insulin pump or multiple daily injections (MDI) to manage diabetes, checking your glucose levels and ensuring that you get the correct dosages of insulin can be time-consuming.
Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Systems connect to more apps, insulin pumps, and technology than any other brand1 — so you can manage your diabetes anytime, anywhere. With an insulin pump that’s compatible with a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, the insulin and pump are integrated or connected, meaning they communicate with one another directly, so you can automate some of the manual glucose regulation2. When used together, these devices can make it easier for you to keep a close eye on your glucose levels and automatically adjust and administer the amount of insulin you need to help you maintain healthy glucose levels in the body.
When it comes to maximizing your health and sense of well-being, your doctor is your guide for determining the treatment plan and diabetes management options that are best for you. If you’re curious about combining an insulin pump with a CGM system, we've got you covered! Here's some valuable information to help you kickstart a conversation with your doctor and explore whether this combination might be the perfect fit for your lifestyle.
What is a CGM-Compatible Insulin Pump?
CGM systems and insulin pumps are both digital technologies that help people living with diabetes manage their glucose levels. An insulin pump is a device that delivers insulin into the body, replacing multiple daily insulin injections. Insulin pumps are designed to make diabetes management easier by delivering insulin in two main ways. First, they provide a continuous infusion of rapid-acting insulin throughout the day and night, known as basal insulin. This replaces the need for longer-acting insulin formulations typically used in multiple daily injection (MDI) regimens. Second, they allow users to administer discrete, one-time doses of rapid-acting insulin for meals or to correct high blood glucose levels, known as bolus insulin3.
CGM systems, including Dexcom G7, work by continuously measuring your glucose levels via a small sensor that’s inserted just under the skin. The Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system uses a small wearable sensor that measures glucose levels up to every 5 minutes and wirelessly transmits the readings to a receiver or compatible smart device*. This allows users to see their real-time glucose levels, trends, and patterns, making it easier to manage and make informed decisions about their diabetes.
A CGM-compatible insulin pump can integrate directly with the CGM system. Instead of you having to manually calculate how much insulin to take based on your glucose level from a fingerstick or CGM, the pump uses data from the CGM system to automatically dose insulin. You may see some types of CGM, and insulin pump integrations called a “closed-loop system” or “artificial pancreas.” These closed-loop systems are considered a breakthrough in diabetes management due to their ability to enhance glycemic control and alleviate the disease's impact4. The idea is that this system automates the process of detecting glucose levels so that the pump can send in the right amount of insulin to ensure that glucose can be used to fuel the body—like a pancreas.
iLet Bionic Pancreas
Managing diabetes can be challenging, but the iLet Bionic Pancreas can help simplify life with diabetes. This innovative insulin pump automatically adjusts insulin based on the Dexcom CGM readings, so users don't have to worry about making constant decisions. And forget about carb counting**! Users just need to estimate the carbs in their meal by choosing from three options: usual for me, more, or less. The iLet continuously learns about the user and their routine over time, understanding basal insulin needs, how to correct for target TIR, and how much insulin is needed for meals.
Omnipod® 5
Omnipod® 5 is another trailblazing solution for diabetes management, offering the only waterproof†, and tubeless Automated Insulin Delivery (AID) system that integrates with Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM‡). The system automatically regulates insulin delivery, helping to prevent both high and low glucose levels5-7. The integration with Dexcom CGM ensures that your glucose data and trends are seamlessly incorporated into the built-in SmartBolus calculator, enhancing the efficiency of diabetes management. Omnipod® 5 is indicated for use in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, allowing individuals to manage their condition without the need for fingersticks*** or multiple daily injections.
Tandem Mobi System and Tandem t:slim X2 Insulin Pump
Tandem Diabetes Care offers 2 insulin pump options that are integrated with Dexcom G7 CGM System: Tandem Mobi system and t:slim X2**** insulin pump powered by Control-IQ+ technology. The insulin pumps and CGM work together by using Dexcom CGM data to predict changes in glucose levels and telling the pump to deliver the appropriate dose of insulin and are cleared for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
If you’re looking for a smaller profile in the Tandem portfolio, Tandem Mobi powered by Control-IQ+ technology, predicts and helps prevent highs and lows. It’s fully controllable with a compatible, personal iPhone, offers wearability like never before, and integrates with the Dexcom CGMs — creating an impressively small, automated insulin delivery system. Additionally, the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump is perfect for users who want to see all their data and have their insulin in one convenient device.
With Tandem insulin pumps, users can enjoy advanced bolus features, Personal Profiles, multiple infusion set options, and more. The pump seamlessly connects to an integrated care platform bringing together the data, treatment, and support needed to better manage diabetes.
People living with diabetes using a hybrid closed-loop system, like the Tandem Mobi and t:slim X2, powered by Control-IQ+ technology, experience a 10% average time in range increase on day 18 and helps to prevent highs and lows.
Why Should I Choose a CGM-Compatible with Insulin Pump?
If you find yourself constantly juggling multiple daily injections (MDI), fine-tuning your insulin pump schedule, or frequently checking your glucose data from your CGM system, a CGM-compatible insulin pump with closed-loop technology could be a game-changer for you. Relying on an integrated system lessens some of the burden and frees you to focus on being present throughout your day.
A closed-loop system may also help you reach your time in range (TIR) and A1C goals9. Some pumps let you set up different insulin delivery schedules that work with your lifestyle. For example, you can set up weekday and weekend schedules to accommodate changes in your sleeping and eating habits. You can also set the pump to align insulin delivery with changes in your physical activity levels and sleep schedule.
With a CGM-compatible insulin pump, you can pass on some of the mental math that goes into administering insulin levels to your diabetes devices. Finding the right tools to aid your glucose management can help you feel better and enjoy the things you love to do.
Improve the Way You Manage Diabetes with CGM
A Dexcom CGM-compatible insulin pump can help you get even more from your CGM. By automating glucose monitoring and insulin delivery, you can get a little more peace of mind as you manage your glucose levels on a day-to-day basis.
If you’re exploring your options when it comes to CGM-compatible insulin pumps, there are insurance programs you can take advantage of to get the support you need. Learn more about the insurance coverage and savings available for the Dexcom G7 CGM System.
Get started on Dexcom G7
If you are living with diabetes and not using a CGM, we can help get you started. Click the button below to send us some basic information. Work with a provider and your G7 data if you are considering adjusting insulin. The G7 can help you be prepared to make the most out of your visits and find solutions that work for you.
1 Dexcom, data on file, 2024 2 Vettoretti M, et al. Combining continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps to automatically tune the basal insulin infusion in diabetes therapy: a review. Biomed Eng Online. 2019;18(1):37. doi:10.1186/s12938-019-0658-x 3 Berget C, Messer LH, Forlenza GP. A Clinical Overview of Insulin Pump Therapy for the Management of Diabetes: Past, Present, and Future of Intensive Therapy. Diabetes Spectr. 2019 Aug;32(3):194-204. doi: 10.2337/ds18-0091. PMID: 31462873; PMCID: PMC6695255. 4 Albisser AM, Leibel BS, Ewart TG, Davidovac Z, Botz CK, Zingg W. Clinical Control of Diabetes by the Artificial Pancreas. Diabetes (1974) 23:397–404. doi: 10.2337/diab.23.5.397 5 Brown S. et al. Diabetes Care (2021). Study in 240 people with T1D aged 6 - 70 years involving 2 weeks standard diabetes therapy followed by 3 months Omnipod 5 use in Automated Mode. Average time with high blood glucose in adults/adolescents and children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 32.4% vs. 24.7%; 45.3% vs. 30.2%. Average time with low blood glucose in adults/adolescents and children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 2.9% vs. 1.3%; 2.2% vs. 1.8%. Study funded by Insulet. 6 Sherr JL, et al. Diabetes Care (2022). Study in 80 people with T1D aged 2 - 5.9 yrs involving 2 weeks standard diabetes therapy followed by 3 months Omnipod 5 use in Automated Mode. Average time with high blood glucose in very young children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 39.4% vs. 29.5%. Average time with low blood glucose in very young children, standard therapy vs 3-month Omnipod 5: 3.43% vs. 2.46%. Study funded by Insulet. 7 Pasquel FJ, et al. JAMA Network Open (2025). Prospective pivotal trial in 305 participants with T2D aged 18-75 yrs. Study included a 14-day standard therapy (ST) phase followed by a 13-week Omnipod 5 hybrid closed-loop phase. Mean time >180 mg/dL as measured by CGM: ST = 54%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 34%, P<0.001. Mean time <70 mg/dL as measured by CGM: ST = 0.2%, 3-mo Omnipod 5 = 0.2%. 8 Breton MD, Kovatchev BP. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2021;23(9):601-608 9 Brown SA, et al. Six-month randomized, multicenter trial of closed-loop control in type 1 diabetes. N Eng J Med. 2019;381(18):1701-1717. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1907863
*Compatible smart devices sold separately. To view a list of compatible devices, visit dexcom.com/g7-compatibility **User must be carb aware † The Pod has an IP28 rating for up to 25 feet for 60 minutes. The Controller is not waterproof. ‡The Dexcom G7 sensor is waterproof and may be submerged under eight feet of water. ***Fingersticks required for diabetes treatment decision if symptoms or expectations do not match readings. ****RX ONLY. Indicated for patients with type 1 diabetes, 2 years and older. BOXED WARNING: Control-IQ technology should not be used by people under age 2, or who use less than 5 units of insulin/day, or who weigh less than 20 lbs. Safety info: tandemdiabetes.com/safetyinfo WARNING: Control-IQ+ technology should not be used in anyone under the age of 2 years old with type 1 diabetes or under the age of 18 years old with type 2 diabetes. It should also not be used in patients who require less than a total daily insulin dose of 5 units of insulin per day or who weigh less than 20 pounds (9 kilograms), as those are the required minimum values needed for Control-IQ+ to operate safely.
BRIEF SAFETY STATEMENT: Failure to use the Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring System and its components according to the instructions for use provided with your device and available at https://www.dexcom.com/safety-information and to properly consider all indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and cautions in those instructions for use may result in you missing a severe hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) or hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) occurrence and/or making a treatment decision that may result in injury. If your glucose alerts and readings from the Dexcom CGM do not match symptoms, use a blood glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Seek medical advice and attention when appropriate, including for any medical emergency.
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