Dexcom on IOS

By Justin Harris, 28 March, 2023

Forum
iOS and iPadOS

Hello,
I'm a type 2 diabetic. No worries about injecting insulin, just my weekly shot for a treatment. This is still all new enough to me that I don't really notice symptoms of either high or low blood sugar. Honestly, I pretty much feel the same all the time. Worries are more likely to be about sugar being high rather than low. My insurance finally approved me for use of the Dexcom G6 cgm, after a very long time of trying to get it, and even switching insurance companies. I had a few trials of it a few years ago, and found it to really help out a lot, and decided it was something I wanted, since I was never really able to get the finger sticks down. So, I finally put it on today. The actual application of the sensor, and inserting the transmitter was crazy easy. But... there's the issue of the codes and serial numbers to deal with. I live alone, and while I do have people pop in enough that I could get sighted help, I would love to be able to do it completely by myself. So, a few hours ago, I used Be My Eyes to get the serial number for the transmitter and the code for the sensor, but just curious if anyone else has found a way to do it completely independently and completely accurately. Unfortunately, the first time around, the person messed up on the serial number of the transmitter. One wrong number or letter can make the thing not pair, thus having to start the process again. So, what I did was use Be My Eyes to get the needed info, write it down, and then after the call go about setting everything up. And, had to end up doing another call about 30 minutes later when it popped up with "transmitter not found." Second time around it worked, once I was able to get the right info. But, if anyone else has ideas on how to do this better, I'm open for suggestions.
Also, what do the arrows mean exactly along with the number. I know the number is where my glucose is now, or within a few minutes ago, but the arrows are still a bit confusing to me. For example, right now, sensor just warmed up less than an hour ago, and it's telling me my reading is 213, but with a right pointing arrow. Further explanations will be much appreciated.

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Comments

By MarkSarch on Friday, March 24, 2023 - 04:55

Hello I am Dexcom long time user :)
First let me start saying that I am total and depend of voiceOver the all time.
Dexcom G6 sensorcode
there 4 digits for the sensor code
To scan the code I use the built in photo scanner in the Dexcom app I make sure to line up the iPhone first closer to the label code and then rising up slowly the camera will detect the code about 8 inches away or so and then will switch to the next window screen.
Recommendation
to have better result always try to be located in some illuminated place closer to the window or turn on the light.
Some times when I inserted the sensor code manually and needed to get the sensor code I used
Seeing A I
or believe it or not I got better results using the own
apple Camera app
taking a photo and then reading the code
exploring the photo or just sometimes voiceOver recognize the code.
the Dexcom G6 sensor last for 10 days
Dexcom Transmitter serial number
The serial number contain 6 characters that include capital letters and numbers
The serial number is located in one side of the transmitter box
I use the same process mention above to scan the serial number
Sometimes I require to call Be my Eyes to read the serial number and double check it.
usually when it popped up with "transmitter not found it's because actually you have to inserted the Transmitter in the holder located in the sensor in order to detect and pair it to the iPhone I notice if you do not take out the transmitter from the box you will be receiving the same alert over and over
Remember the Transmitter last for 90 days sometimes more closer to 100 days it will notify when it is time to replace it it.

what do the arrows mean?
There are rate of change arrows on the Dexcom that indicate if the blood sugar is rising, falling or is stable. This information can then be used to make decisions on treatment based on the current sensor reading and how it is changing.
The Dexcom system is tracking every 5 minutes
up arrow indicates that your blood sugar is rising and a down arrow that it’s falling,
Trend Arrows
2 arrows straight up
mains BG could increase more than 90 mg/dL in 30 min. voiceOver will read rapidly rising
1 arrow straight up
mains BG could increase up to 90 mg/dL in 30 min. voiceOver will read rising
1 arrow slightly up
Mains BG could increase from 30- to 60 mg/dL in 30 min voiceOver will read slowing rising
1 arrow to the side
Mains No BG increase or decrease of more than 1 mg/dL (0.05 mmol/L) per min. voiceOver will read stable or constant
1 arrow slightly down
Mains BG could decrease from 30- to 60 mg/dL in 30 min voiceOver will read slowing Falling
1 arrow straight down
mains BG could decrease up to 90 mg/dL in 30 min. voiceOver will read Falling
2 arrows straight down
mains BG could decrease more than 90 mg/dL in 30 min. voiceOver will read rapidly Falling

Real-life example
Let’s say my blood sugar is 120 mg/dL () and my Dexcom is showing 2 arrows straight up.

In this case, I can expect my blood sugar to potentially increase to above 210 mg/dL (120 plus 90) within the next 30 min.
Hope this helps.