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Approximately how many glucose strips have you used in the past 7 days?
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None. Hardly ever use them anymore unless I am having an issue with my CGM.
Usually test via finger stick twice during the Dexcom G6 two hour warm up…
Before getting Dexcom that number would have been unbelievably higher. I checked a minimum of 12 times per day. Now, knowing the speed and direction I’m comfortable trusting Dexcom and only test when starting a new sensor. Thanks Dexcom, you make life easier!
Had to change my Dexcom sensor during the last week so I used my glucagon meter during the two hour warmup period. Happens every ten days.
Have a Dexcom G7. Changed a few days ago. Always double check with finger sticks for first day.
Using DexCom G6, so strips not needed.
Using Guardian 3, I calibrate at least twice per day—four to six on new CGM day.
My current G6 sensor has been somewhat erratic so I am testing more than usual this week.
Just such a habit, it’s the first thing I do every morning. I am on G6 and it usually very close but not always so I am amazed at the number of people that never check at all. 😉 whatever gets us through the day !!
Although I use a G6 CGM, at the beginning of a session, a day later, and a few days after that I use three strips at a time to arrive at a good number to use to calibrate the CGM — which nearly always requires calibration to increase accuracy. Hence the CGM doesn’t eliminate my need for strips. I am amazed that the advertising of CGM stresses less need for finger sticks rather than the ability to easily see trend lines and easily check levels whenever one wants. I can’t believe finger-stick pain (essentially nonexistant for me) is a significant factor for anyone.
Dexcom G6 isn’t accurate enough to fully trust so still testing with BG meter average of 7 times/day.
G6 reading is close enough to BG meter reading to consider as accurate only around 50% of the time, yet G6 frequently gives readings up to 200 mg/dl higher than BG meter readings or CGM readings too low for G6 to give a numeric reading (below 40 mg/dl) while my BG meter says my actual blood glucose level is still up around 120 mg/dl or higher!
CGM inaccuracy is the main reason I decided to replace my soon out of warranty tSlim pump with another tSlim pump instead of trying the Beta Bionics pump and beinf forced to trust the CGM readings to be accurate enough to not kill me since the Beta Bionics pump allows the user absolutely NO way to adjust the insulin dosages or anything.
When changing sensors for my G6 CGM, I check BG every 15-30 minutes and set a timer on my watch to remind me. This helps me treat a rise of BG or low (most commonly a rise from eating, even though I dose for the carbs). So over the 2 hour period I’ll test about 6-7 times.
moving to Libre3 next week. hopefully will use less strips going forward, using 3-5 per day with Libre2
Try Dexcom. I use 1-2 straps per month
I only use test strips during the G6 warm up. I test every 15 -20 minutes over the 2 hours warm up for two reasons:
1. to give Loop (DIY) some glucose so it stays in auto mode.
2. In addition, since I insert my new sensor about 16 -24 hours before the old one expires to let it “marinate”, the finger sticks provide good info on whether I need to calibrate once the warm up period has ended.
Over the past week, only 1-2 test strips. Some weeks as much as 3/day. If my BGs are high for an extended period of time, I will test more to determine if the CGM is malfunctioning or if my infusion site is starting to fail.
I use a strip test every night before I get into bed to make sure I have the most accurate read reconciled with my G7 Dexcom & after changing the sensor on my arm.
I don’t have a Dexcom, but I like to do that same thing!
1 or 2 while my sensor was revving up.
Zero stripes
After replacing my Dexcom G7 sensor, I require strips frequently because calibration in unreliable for first 3 days.
I need to use strips mainly in the first 24 hours of a newly applied Dex 7 sensor as the sensor readings are inaccurate- I also typically need to calibrate the sensor at least 1 or 2 times during this period to avoid getting inaccurately low CGM readings.
I rarely use blood test strips. Usually, when I am starting a new CGM, during the 2 hour warmup period.
My endocrinologist is having me test every time I put anything in my mouth that isn’t water or herbal tea. So that’s 7 to 10 times a day, depending on how much I snack and have mugs of decaf coffee. I think he’s going to be surprised how much proteins, fats, and caffeine raise my blood sugars on low carb/keto way of eating.