DEXCOM G6 CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORING SYSTEM (DEXCOM G6) READING AND METER VALUE
Whether you’re new to Dexcom or experienced, review product instructions before using the Dexcom G6. Keep using your BG meter to make treatment decisions until you know how Dexcom works for you. Your meter gives you one number, if you test twice (using the same or a different meter) it gives you another number, and your Dexcom G6 gives you a third. What do you do with all those numbers?
The test
The test your doctor does is considered a more accurate glucose number than any products you use at home. Both meters and Dexcom G6 are compared to that doctor’s test to measure accuracy in clinical studies. They aren’t compared to each other. Because of this, the Dexcom G6 reading (G6 reading) and meter value are unlikely to be exactly the same number, but they should be close. Compare the meter and your Dexcom G6 to see how closely the numbers match each other: if your G6 reading and meter value are within what we call the 20 rule (also known as the %20/20 rule), they match closely.
The rule
To use the 20 rule follow these steps using the table below:
For example the orange highlighted row shows that if your meter value is 100 mg/dL, your G6 reading is a close match if it’s between 80 and 120 mg/dL.
G6 - | Meter Value mg/dL | G6 + |
---|---|---|
low | 40 | 60 |
low | 50 | 70 |
40 | 60 | 80 |
50 | 70 | 90 |
64 | 80 | 96 |
72 | 90 | 108 |
80 | 100 | 120 |
88 | 110 | 132 |
96 | 120 | 144 |
104 | 130 | 156 |
112 | 140 | 168 |
120 | 150 | 180 |
128 | 160 | 192 |
G6 - | Meter Value mg/dL | G6 + |
---|---|---|
136 | 170 | 204 |
144 | 180 | 216 |
152 | 190 | 228 |
160 | 200 | 240 |
168 | 210 | 252 |
176 | 220 | 264 |
184 | 230 | 276 |
192 | 240 | 288 |
200 | 250 | 300 |
208 | 260 | 312 |
216 | 270 | 324 |
224 | 280 | 336 |
G6 - | Meter Value mg/dL | G6 + |
---|---|---|
232 | 290 | 348 |
240 | 300 | 360 |
248 | 310 | 372 |
256 | 320 | 384 |
264 | 330 | 396 |
272 | 340 | high |
280 | 350 | high |
288 | 360 | high |
296 | 370 | high |
304 | 380 | high |
312 | 390 | high |
320 | 400 | high |
Good fingerstick practices
When using your meter, make sure:
There are times when the numbers temporarily don’t match, but are likely to become closer over time. For example:
To determine what to do, watch your G6 readings over several hours. If the readings are always higher (or always lower) than your meter values and always outside the 20 rule, consider calibrating. Also consider calibrating if your Dexcom G6 and meter numbers don’t match and your expectations or symptoms fit the meter value, not the G6 reading.
Calibration
Calibrating your Dexcom G6 with your meter is never required. It can make the Dexcom G6 more accurate or less accurate compared to the lab result, but it should bring the G6 readings closer to the meter values.
When calibrating, make sure:
If you’d like, you can calculate the 20 rule on your own. The Dexcom G6 reading must be within:
Please note: the information listed here is applicable to Dexcom CGM users within the US only.
At this time, live chat is only available to US customers, Monday-Sunday from 7AM-9PM PDT.
At this time, live chat is only available to US customers, Monday-Sunday from 7AM-9PM PDT.