Dexcom G7 Review | One Mystery Part Changes Everything!

I finally got my hands on a new Dexcom G7! In this video I'll do a full review and talk about all of the new features of this continuous glucose monitor. Theres plenty of options on the market when it comes to CGM's, the Freestyle Libre, Medtronic Guardian, Eversense E3, lets talk about what sets the G7 apart from the competition and also talk about a new mystery part that changes everything for CGM's!

More info on "soaking your sensor":

[DISCLAIMER: While I am a Physician Assistant, none of the content I post should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions about your diabetes management and overall health.]

[buickgs]

I was about to return my G7 and go back to the G6 after the first week. Three of the first 5 sensors I tried fell off my arm within 1 day, and of the other two sensors, one failed during the warmup period and one failed after a couple of days. I had cleaned the back of my arm each time with alcohol wipes and used the G7 overpatch, and did not get them wet. I called Dexcom several times and finally they told me I could try putting the sensors on my stomach, like what I used to do for the G6. Problem solved. Been using the G7 for several weeks now, but applying the sensors on my stomach, with no problems. I double check readings occasionally using a finger stick and the readings are very close. I also use the G7 overpatch and a G6 overpatch over it, another Dexcom suggestion. Dexcom replaced all 5 sensors. This video was a good review.

[Amasloth]

My worst challenge with the g7 is just getting the overpatch on accurately. I accidentally wasted a whole sensor because while trying to apply the patch it got stuck to the top of the sensor and I tried to peel it off to align it better but it ripped the whole sensor off my arm. 😢

[russellobarski]

Received my G7, 3 month supply. Currently using my last G6 sensor and last transmitter. Can’t wait to switch especially when I’m going on a 3 week vacation. Never thought I would appreciate these CGMs so much, because in the past 10 yrs prior to getting my CGM I had 3 ambulance rides to emergency rooms for low blood sugar passing out. Thank You Dexcom.

[aeromodeller]

The instructions explain that there can be a discrepancy between fingerstick and G7 due to the time it takes for glucose to diffuse from the blood into the interstitial fluid. This discrepancy will be larger when the glucose is changing rapidly. If you want to calibrate your G7 to fingerstick, do it when the glucose is not changing.

I had trouble getting the overpatch on, can't see it on the back of my arm. In future I will use a mirror to get a clear view so I can align it properly.

This is my second sensor and I have already learned important lessons about the management of my diabetes, adjusted insulin dosing ratios, awakened at night to treat low glucose before it goes below 70 instead of hitting numbers like 34 where I can't calculate correction carbs.

One of the first things I did with my One Touch fingerstick was to sample at 1-minute intervals. I found that there is not a smooth curve, but it has an oscillation around a mean curve with a six minute period and six mg/dl amplitude. You may expect to be off by +/- 3 mg/dl, up to 6 mg/dl, compared with a blood draw. This is close enough for treatment decisions. Our carb counts and exercise aren't known to that precision.

[billyoung]

One thing people need to understand about comparing BG readings to sensor glucose readings: A typical BG reading has an inherent inaccuracy of at least +/- 15%. So that nice 100 BG reading really means your true BG is somewhere between 85 and 115, and you have no possible way of knowing the exact value. Your initial BG reading of 122 in the video tells you your actual BG reading would be somewhere between 104 and 140 (again, you have no possible way of knowing exactly where it would truly be). Sensor glucose readings are typically +/- 35%. So that initial SG reading of 129 means your true BG, predicted by an SG of 129, would be between 84 and 174. Since 84 to 174 overlaps 104 to 140, they are considered "spot-on accurate".

Even if both BG and SG read exactly the same number, due to the inherent inaccuracy of both devices, that doesn't mean your true BG is the same as that coincidentally same unicorn BG and SG value.

FWIW, I am a statistician for a living, and have had T1 since 1985.

[paulwrablica]

Great information and very well done. For everyone’s information, put a new G7 on today and it failed. What I would call a quality control issue or manufacturing defect. The sensor wire was not inside the needle that penetrates the skin. Opened another box and found the same issue. Called the company and they are replacing both sensors. My advice, look at the needle before insertion. If you see the insertion wire something is wrong and it will fail. Back to your video, great job on reviewing the G7! Thanks.

[xtremeimagephotography]

I just received my new Dexcom 7. I am a first time user for a CGM system and am a tad OCD about stuff like this so I've been watching videos prior to getting started. This video is the most helpful so far. Thank you.

[Ariozo]

Been on G7 for a while now and always put the new one on for hours before change and do better job than just change right away. :)

[lah]

Two issues:
1. Receiver app not available on Android 😢.
2. Extra overpatches should be available through Dexcom g7 like they have for g6. They don't have extra ones for g7. More difficult to put on and easier to mess up.

[danajohnson]

The best thing for me about the G7 is going from A1C of 8 to A1C of 6.4 due to the fast feedback on BG changes that simply weren’t possible with finger sticks unless I did them every 5 minutes. Since the finger sticks are only +/- 5% accurate anyway, and can be way off of you don’t do a good hand wash every time, the G7 info gave me real time info on how everything I ate was affecting me rather than arbitrary food group guesswork. I’ve been able to enjoy food much more since I know when I can indulge and when I should wait ‘till later. The one time my G7 was a bit off, calibrating fixed the discrepancy. I think given the variation possible in application, it is remarkable how close it is to my BG meter. The low alerts are very helpful now I am taking Glipizide. and I occasionally venture into low levels.

[Simon_Rafferty]

You can 'soak' a G7 if you use the 12h 'grace' period at the end of the 10 days. Insert a new sensor at the start of the grace period, then swap to the new sensor at the end of the grace period of the old one. You get a 12h soak - which is plenty (on a G7) to become accurate. You also remove the 1/2 hour warmup gap in readings.

[motmo]

Before using the G7 make sure to purchase aftermarket patches to cover the device. The patch in the box is terrible. My first patch was off my rm in 5 hours.

[Roadpizza]

The extended time actually is a very good thing. Being on Medicare the cycles for 30 days. Ask yourself how many months in a year are 30 days....

[timlist]

Just started using the G7, on sensor 2 (12 days in). And so far i am impressed with the accuracy, but will admit that the error from the meter to the cgm is greater at the low and high points, but much better than the libre i tried prior to covid. Also it connecting tothe phone without having to get it within a couple inches is very nice.

[mgi]

I tried G7 and I'm going back to G6 for a few reasons.
1. loosing connection to iPhone quite a lot which of course is pretty dangerous at night (never happens with G6)
2. I found that G6 response to blood sugar change is a lot more sensitive and G7 takes 10-
15 min to catch up to it and match G6 and glucose meter.
3. smaller issue, but not having a widget is a bit of a pain

[mhfnet]

Deal breakers for me is that G7 sensors are not 14 days and have no restarts like the G6, which I routinely get 20 days on a sensor. I am also waiting for the direct to iWatch as I don't like to be tied to a big phone or using the smaller receiver as it is just another thing to carry when I already have an iWatch. I hear they are "working" on these thing but I've heard it before so I am happy with G6 until it happens or wait until Freestyle Libre 3 offers direct to iWatch.

[ncrmaz]

This is my third week with the G7 and it really is wacky. If it fails it usually fails within 48 hours of startup. If it doesn’t fall off by itself it will likely make it to end of life. In 3 weeks I have had 5 sensors fail. This can't be just happening to me. Dexcom is good at replacing sensors through tech support. One should keep the box and the applicator until it is fully used. Should it fail the serial number is on the applicator housing starting after (21). I have had three sensors give repeated LOW readings that were simply wrong. After replacing the sensor the next sensor wants to pick up where the last one was at. I think it should start with a fresh reading. One can calibrate the sensor by depressing the + sign and entering the finger stick reading. I had to do it at least 3 times because the reading was 120 to 40 units off. I just want to add that I am a retired computer tech and technology is not new to me. Lastly, the G7 sensors constantly loose communication. I wear my phone on my belt and the sensor is within 1 foot. How can it not communicate? Fortunately, if I toggle the Bluetooth connection it usually reestablishes a connection.

[adriandavis]

I had used the Libre sensor and its adhesive caused welts on my skin that didn't go away for over a year after I stopped using them. The G7 doesn't do this and has been very good at keeping the sensor on my arm. i frequently bump them on doorframes and I haven't lost one to that yet. The only thing that it hasn't been able to survive was a moshpit and it did a good job through the first four bands, the pit for the fifth band was just too much for it!

[lakegirl]

I’m so looking forward to it! But first, changing to Tandem t:slim x2 with my Dexcom G6, but Tandem is working on integrating with G7.
Thanks for this informative review.

[peterzpictstube]

I really wish I concur with your accuracy experience. I put a new on last night and it was showing my morning glucose was 168 way higher than normal. Finger stick with my Dario showed 120. Thank goodness for entering calibration data in app.