Sometimes your CGM may be calibrated slightly higher or slightly lower than the true value.
How to Calibrate
To adjust for this, we offer a manual calibration feature within the app:
1. Go into your app
2. Go into the sidebar menu in the upper left-hand corner
3. Select "Settings"
4. Select "Sensor"
5. Calibrate your sensor up or down by clicking into the calibration box, then sliding the scale to the correct amount
Not sure how much to calibrate?
By comparing your CGM graph to a recent fasting glucose value from a lab or a fasting glucose value taken from a glucometer at home, you can make adjustments to ensure that your graph is showing accurate and reliable data.
For example, let's say you take a fasting glucose reading at home and it reads 90, but your CGM fasting value says 110. You can make a baseline adjustment of "-20" and refresh the app, and your entire graph will shift 20 points down. Please keep in mind that calibration will impact all of the readings on your current sensor.
Tips for Calibration
Only calibrate when your glucose is stable.
This means you should wait to calibrate your sensor after the first 24 hours of wearing it. Make sure you are only calibrating based on fasting values of your CGM and a recent fasting glucose value from a lab or a fasting glucose value taken from a glucometer at home. If you try to calibrate when your levels are not stable your values might be a little off.
Remember, we want to focus on the trends, not on specific numbers.By following overall trends rather than exact numbers you can get a better idea of how your glucose fluctuates throughout the day and in relation to different foods and activities.
CGMs are great for getting a zoomed-out view of your glucose response.
One then done
We recommend calibrating your CGM sensor only once during its lifespan. While calibration can improve the accuracy of your glucose values, overdoing it can actually distort your data. It's like trying to hit a constantly moving target. Even when you take readings in a fasting state, it's difficult to achieve perfection. Therefore, we suggest getting as close as possible to your true values and focusing on reviewing your trends over time.
It's worth noting that not all sensors require calibration. It's a feature we offer to help increase the accuracy of your CGM, but it's not always necessary. Once you calibrate your sensor, it will change your values for the entire duration of the sensor's lifespan. Trust the process and let your trends guide you towards your health goals.
Do you still have questions on if you need to calibrate your CGM?