You will need around 45-60 minutes to complete the Dexcom setup process.
If you have not yet purchased a Nutrisense Membership or enrolled in the Nutrisense Longitudinal Outcomes of CGM Use research study, you can learn about enrollment here!
Step 1: Download and set up the Nutrisense App
⚠️ If you completed purchase and enrollment in the app, you can skip to Step 2: Download and set up the Dexcom G7 App
1.1 Download the Nutrisense App
The Nutrisense app allows you to view and track your data, log meals, activities, and notes, and communicate with your nutritionist.
To download the Nutrisense app, click one of the links below from your phone:
iOS (iPhone) users: App Store
Android users: Google Play
1.2 Log in to the Nutrisense app
- Using the email address you used during online checkout, log into the Nutrisense app. If you have not yet set a password for your account, tap on “Forgot your password?” to receive a new email to set your password.
- If you use Apple or Google sign-in and do not see the program you purchased, please log out, verify the email address you used to make your purchase, and log in again with that email.
Next, you will download the Dexcom app. Tap out of the Nutrisense app and proceed to Step 2: Download and setup the Dexcom G7 App. Once that step is complete we will return to the Nutrisense app to complete integration.
Step 2: Download and set up the Dexcom G7 App
1. Download Dexcom G7 App
To get started with the Dexcom G7 CGM and Nutrisense program, you'll need to download the Dexcom G7 App and create an account.
iOS (iPhone) users: App Store
Android users: Google Play
2. Create a Dexcom Account
Create a new account: Once you’ve downloaded and opened the Dexcom G7 app, select Create an Account from the menu and follow the prompts, listed below, to create your account.
- Verify you reside in the US
- Grant permission for the Dexcom app to share your Location one time to verify US current location
- Enter your zip code for your residence location
- Set your user ID and verify your account
- Select your email address or phone number as a user ID
- Enter the one-time code sent to the email or phone number you selected in the following screen
- Set your personal account information, including name, sex, birth date, and email.
- Choose a Password for your account
⚠️ Remember your Dexcom Login credentials - you will need them again to connect Dexcom to the Nutrisense app.
- Diabetes Information: You may tap next to skip the diabetes diagnosis information request.
- Review and confirm your information, then your Dexcom account will be created.
3. Complete Dexcom App Set Up
- If needed, log in to the Dexcom app again using the login info created above.
- Review and accept the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
- You will land on a 3-step set up-screen, which includes Overview, App Set up, and Start Sensor sections.
- Tap into “1. Overview - How G7 works” to review the following sections. At each step, you must tap to watch the video or view the text directions to proceed.
- Basic sensor information,
- Alerts in the Dexcom app,
- Treatment guidelines for Dexcom users with Diabetes,
- Safety statement
- Tap into “2. App Set up - Connecting your phone.”
- You must enable Bluetooth for your sensor to work and send data to the Dexcom app.
- You must enable notifications, including critical alerts, to view your data in the apps. You can adjust your alert settings later in the Dexcom app.
Step 3: Open your Nutrisense Research Shipment and Welcome Kit
What’s in my Nutrisense Research Shipment?
Members will receive the following in a Nutrisense box (white or corrugated brown) with each monthly shipment:
- Three 10-day Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) in one box.
- Instruction pamphlet with information on how to set up your device and get started with Nutrisense.
What’s in my Welcome Pack?
Users will also receive a Welcome Pack at the beginning of their experience which contains:
- 9 Protective Patches to keep your sensor protected
- 9 Alcohol swabs to clean your skin before sensor application
If you need additional Patches and wipes, you can order more directly within the Nutrisense app for free.
Step 4: Apply your Dexcom G7 CGM
⚠️ Note: If you have a Freestyle Libre CGM, please go to Getting Started: Freestyle Libre CGM.
1. Prepare your Dexcom CGM
- Disconnect from your old sensor: If this is the first Dexcom sensor you've ever applied, skip to Step 2 below. If you're replacing an old sensor with a new one, disconnect from your old sensor by following these steps:
- Open your Dexcom G7 app
- Tap on “Connections” along the bottom of the screen
- Tap on “Sensor” at the top of the screen
- Tap on the “STOP SENSOR SESSION” button
- In the Dexcom app, tap “Start a new sensor” and follow along. The same directions follow here, below.
- Take one of the CGM applicators out of its package (see image below). Be sure to save the applicator throughout the following steps. You will need the code to activate the sensor in the Dexcom app.
2. Apply your Dexcom CGM
Applying your sensor can be intimidating, but there are ways to optimize your experience and ensure the sensor stays put! First, be sure to read this article on Tips for Placing Your Sensor.
- Pick a spot to apply your CGM: The Dexcom G7 CGMs is applied to your upper arm. A few best practices:
- Choose the portion of the back of your upper arm with the most fat. Try to avoid the muscle.
- Avoid areas where there is scarring, tattoos, or skin irritation.
- Avoid areas that get bumped, pushed, or you lie on while sleeping.
- Choose the portion of the back of your upper arm with the most fat. Try to avoid the muscle.
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- Clean your hands with soap and water, and dry them.
- Clean the area on your arm with the alcohol wipes provided, and allow to air dry.
- Skipping this step can prevent your sensor from sticking strongly to your skin.
- Skipping this step can prevent your sensor from sticking strongly to your skin.
- Unscrew the cap of your CGM applicator. Do not touch inside the applicator.
- Use the applicator to insert your sensor
- Relax your arm muscles
- Press and hold the applicator firmly against your skin until the clear safety guard is pushed in. Then push the button on the side of the applicator.
- Remove and keep the applicator. You will need the code on the applicator to start your sensor.
- Screw the cap back on your applicator.
- Rub the patch around the applicator 3 times
- Gently press on top of the sensor for 10 seconds.
- Apply your first overpatch. You must apply your overpatch and the Nutrisense Protective Patch to secure your sensor on your arm and protect it during normal physical activity.
- Carefully pull off both clear liners. Don’t touch the white adhesive area
- Use the colored tab to place overpatch around the sensor
- Rub around overpatch
- Use the tab to peel off the colored liner
- Rub around the overpatch one more time
- During the first 12 hours, keep your skin dry and sweat-free to improve adhesion for the full 10 days of the sensor.
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- When your patch gets wet, gently pat it dry as soon as you can.
- If the patch peels off of your skin, trim the peeled parts and put on medical tape.
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Upon initial application of the CGM, it is common to experience slight bleeding or sensations while acclimating to the device. For further information, please refer to: Is Wearing a CGM Painful?
3. Pair and Start your Sensor
Continue following the steps provided in the Dexcom app, as follows:
- Enter your Pairing Code
- Find and enter the 4-digit pairing code on the applicator you used to insert the sensor. You can type it in manually or take a photo.
- You will see a Pairing screen with a pairing code shown.
- Accept the Bluetooth Pairing Request from DXCMUd
- You will see a pairing completed success screen.
- Then, your sensor will enter a warm up period of approximately 30 minutes, shown in the Dexcom app.
- During this time, keep your phone within 20 feet of your sensor, without any obstructions.
When sensor warmup is complete, you will see this screen in your Dexcom App.
⚠️ ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS
Keep Your Phone Close to Your Sensor
Keep your phone within 20 feet with no obstacles (like walls or metal) between the phone and your sensor. Otherwise, they might not be able to communicate. If water is between your sensor and the display device – for example, if you’re showering – keep them closer to each other. The range is reduced because Bluetooth doesn’t work as well through water.
After a disconnection, as when swimming or other activities that require separation of greater than 20 feet, reconnection may take up to 30 minutes.
Having issues with setup?
Refer to these troubleshooting articles or message Customer support in the app for help.
- In the event of a Failed Sensor notification during the 30-minute warm-up period, refer to the article "What should I do if my Dexcom CGM fails during the 30-minute warmup period?" for further instructions.
While you wait for your sensor to warm up, proceed to the next steps:
- Step 5: Apply the Nutrisense Protective Patch
- Step 6: Connect Dexcom to Nutrisense
Step 5: Apply the Nutrisense Protective Patch
Here’s how to apply a Nutrisense Protective Patch over your Dexcom CGM. We designed these patches to help keep your CGM in place during activity and exercise.
How to Apply your Nutrisense Protective Patch
- Peel off the white papers on the back of the Performance Cover that protects the adhesive. Do not touch the adhesive when applying.
- Center the cover over your CGM, adhesive on the skin, and apply. Start at the center and work outward.
- Rub briskly from the center to the edges to activate the adhesive. Do not rub from the edge toward the center, or you may cause the edges to peel away from the skin.
Learn more about the Nutrisense Protective Patch here: What is a Nutrisense Protective Patch and why should I use one?
Step 6: Connect Dexcom to Nutrisense
Connecting your Dexcom CGM data to your Nutrisense app is quick and easy.
- Navigate to your sensor settings screen. You can get there by tapping the green “plus” icon on your Dashboard, then tapping “sensor.” Or, you can tap the menu icon in the upper left corner, select Settings from the menu, and finally tap Sensor from the list of settings.
- Tap the toggle next to the label “Dexcom” to begin activating your integration.
- This will open a new login screen for Dexcom inside the Nutrisense app. Log in with the User ID (email OR phone) and password you used to create your Dexcom account.
- You can verify your Dexcom User ID by opening the Decom G7 app and tapping Profile, then Account, and finally scrolling down to the Login section.
- Next, you will be asked by Dexcom to grant permission to share data with Nutrisense by electronically signing and submitting an authorization form.
- Once you submit this authorization, Nutrisense will connect with your Dexcom data and your integration will be active! You will begin to see your CGM data in the Nutrisense app when your sensor is warmed up and it has been about 15 minutes since activating the integration.
Step 7: Review your data in the app after sensor warm up
No data from your new sensor will appear in the Nutrisense app while the sensor is still warming up, so no need to worry if you don’t immediately see glucose data! After the 30-minute sensor warm up, your data will begin to sync from the Dexcom app to the Nutrisense app.
Step 8: Start logging meals, activities, and notes in the Nutrisense App
You don’t need to wait for your sensor to begin learning in the Nutrisense app. At any time, you can:
Tap the green “plus” icon on your home screen to begin logging your baseline activity and meal habits, stress levels, and more.
Tap the ‘Learn” icon on the bottom right of your home screen to dive into our courses on nutrition, glucose, and beyond.