45 Comments
If you use a CGM, how important is it to you that you are able to view your CGM readings on a smartphone?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
© 2022 T1D Exchange. All Rights Reserved.
It would be more convenient than the scanner (one less thing in my pockets while at work), but I don’t like that with the Libre you have to pick one or the other for each sensor. I’d like to be able to use both (so I have a backup in case one runs out of charge or breaks or gets left a home). I also read some pretty bad reviews of the app and I don’t want to get stuck with something that doesn’t work for 2 weeks, so I’ve just kept using the scanner.
I said “a little important”. I don’t take my phone with me when I’m around the house. So, I don’t look at it much. When I am out shopping or in the car, I have my phone with me. Usually, I check my blood glucose on my pump. However, the T Connect program has more information, and more convenient, such as Time in Range, time of the last bolus, when my sensor was started, etc. So, the phone is convenient. So, it is a little important to me. But, generally, I go directly to my pump, because it is with me all of the time.
I have my phone on Do Not Disturb overnight —I prefer using the reader that comes with the Dexcom.
It’s very important, but nearly as important as being able to view and have data used by my Insulin Pump. Therefore I will not even consider switching from Dexcom G6 to the new G7 system UNTIL AFTER Tandem announces that they have the tSlim Pumps made fully compatible with the Dexcom G7 system! Until that happens, I will NOT consider switching to the newer more compact Dexcom G7!!!
I can read them on my compatible pump and do not need a phone.
I am happy just looking at my pump and seeing my readings there.
Having to carry around another receiver device means yet another thing to keep track of and take with you everywhere. Having it all in my phone just makes life easier — and it hugely reduces the likelihood that I’ll leave the house without the ability to read my blood sugar.
Libre2 but I use receiver only. With Libre3, that’s not an option, there is no receiver. The Libre folks haven’t caught up with the new Pixel 6 phones yet so there’s no Libre3 for me until they do so.
I’d say it’s more important to be able to view CGM readings on my smart watch.
I have severe hypoglycemia unawareness. I do not feel lows at all. I use my phone to watch my sensor graph in the courtroom (work), while driving, everywhere.
I guess I am a little confused as to your hypoglycemia unawareness. Do you not set your alarms to warn you of an impending low or high?
While driving, I like being able to ask Siri what my glucose reading is on my iPhone so I don’t have to take my eyes off the road.
My phone is my phone. I don’t carry it around very much, and its battery loses its charge too quickly. I am happy to read my glucoses reading on my pump, which is with my always.
I’m with those who use their Tandem X2 pump to receive the Dexcom data. I still (I’m reired now) consider the mobile phone to be a short leash (I was on call alot when working). Using my pump as the receiver means just one device – and it is attached to me. I don’t want to have to get one of those leather tool belts from the hardware store to carry all the stuff. Sometimes I’ll leave the phone at home when running errands just to have time to myself!
I really appreciate having the data so available. I am still patiently waiting for my readings to be on my watch as when hiking, morning dog walking and st work I do not have my phone always with me.
I really don’t like feeling a need to be connected to the “social universe” and am very happy that it’s not necessary to pair my pump with my phone. Pings and beeps don’t improve my life, and I try to remember when a phone meant a call from a friend, not my life blood. But don’t get me wrong: I love what technology is accomplishing, just not when it tries to replace what’s nice about being a human being. Such as remembering to check my blood sugar, all on my own, because I know it’s vital.
As others have said, I like being able to see t:connect data on my phone without having to dig my pump out of my waistband pocket. I especially like seeing my BG on my watch, which talks to my phone, and being able to ask Siri for BG info while I’m driving.
How do you ask Siri for this information? I have the Dexcom app, and am therefore able to see my SG profile on my watch, but haven’t found the magic phrase for getting my sensor glucose (or “blood glucose”) level through Siri. That would be really useful.
In the Dexcom phone app settings, there’s an option called “Siri Shortcuts.” Tapping that option gives you the opportunity to set up a Siri question (i.e., “Hey Siri, What’s my number?” ) The same cue will work with your Apple watch. There is a separate Shortcuts app, but some apps, like the Dexcom app, allow you to set up a shortcut within the app settings.
Reading lags behind a lot. It’s convenient but not essential.
Having to carry 2 or 3 different cell phone-sized devices is ridiculous and I’ll not do it if there’s an alternative. Better than cell phone would be direct to a smart-watch via BT. What I can’t figure out is how/why ANY CGM or pump manufacturer would put out a device and THEN start the production of the software to support it via a cell phone…ala the Omnipod 5 and iPhone, what non-sense!!
Important. My G6 displays on my Tandem pump, which is always accessible, so it’s not necessary to have readings on my phone or even be able to bolus with it. It’s a convenience, but a pain when both the pump and the phone are sounding alerts!
As I’m sure I’ve written before, my answer is all three of very important, not important, and I prefer not to see on my phone. Currently it is very important because my Dexcom is not working right and needs to be replaced but the replacement is taking a long time. Under normal circumstances, it would be not important to be able to see the readings on my phone and I’d rather not.
It’s not earth shaking because I can see the level on my pump thats always with me. It’s only convenient if I’m busy with other activities and have additional reason to have my charged phone with me. Unlike many others, my nose is not constantly buried in my phone.
My libre scanner fits into a pocket. My phone does not. My phone needs re-charging at least daily. So, if I want to go walking, I feel confidant with my libre and some glucose tablets in my pocket. My other option would be to use a lanyard arrangement, wearing my phone around my neck, etc. Quite frankly, I would be inclined to turn the phone off when I am walking anyway.
My smartphone is my only receiver.
It’s not important to me as I don’t have a phone.
Very!
Now that I have Dexcom routed to my Apple Watch I love being able to check my bloodsugar on the fly without stopping what I am doing. A quick glance lets me know if I’m ok or need to treat. Makes life much easier.
Size matters, in bed, hard to access pump & read small screen. iPhone 13 viewed in seconds & back to sleep
I am a parent of TD1, and travel for work. It have been essential that I can view her numbers on my phone to assist her and her caregiver that is there with her. It also allows my husband to ‘take a break’ and relax knowing I will call and tell him if she needs a correction.
My wife and I both use it. Unfortunately, recently my Medtronic pump on Android doesn’t connect so this feature is unavailable now.
iPhone is my primary CGM receiver so it’s absolutely important, but I also have Glance on my Fitbit watch which is great, and Sugarmate on my laptop, which is also handy. Phone is most critical though.
I love having alarms on my phone
I’ll be switching from Libre to Dexcom when the G7 is released precisely because the so-called Customer Service team at Abbott cannot figure out why my iPhone will no longer activate or read a sensor.
It is much easier to read on my large screen smartphone-bigger and brighter. Also I don’t need to unclip my pump from my belt which would be especially difficult while riding a bike.
It is not so much important as it is convenient, as I can glance at my phone, pulled from my pocket, easier than looking at my pump unclipped from my belt. As a side note, I have been unhappy with the tandem belt clip as it seems to be pulled off my belt all too often and then has to reside in my pocket.
I got my first dexcom about 6 or 7 years ago and immediately connected it to my iPhone. In fact I was the first diabetic in my endocrinologists office to share my info. The tech department had to figure out how to connect. Who needs another thing to carry around?
Well, that was easy!!!
While I understand how a phone could be more convenient, I don’t use a phone enough to remember to carry it. Also, it doesn’t keep a charge very well.
So, if I had to carry my phone, I’d have to _carry_ my phone (it won’t fit in my front pockets) and I’d be more likely to lose it because, eventually, I’d have to set it down somewhere.
I like having my receiver in my pockets and I don’t have to struggle with which app to use to see my BS numbers. I just hit one button and there they are.
But, that’s me… and, I’m a bit of a luddite anyway! :p
It’s important to me because the information automatically sent to my doctor’s office. Currently app is down, 🙄 Hopefully it will be up and running soon.
Do not have smart phone
Important but not very important. I always have on my pump so the phone is not absolutely necessary, but considering the alarms on my phone are louder than the alarms on my pump, it is nice to use my phone while sleeping so I will be awakened more easily if a low should occur.
I look at my pump for my numbers about 80% of the time and my phone the other 20%.
Very important to see the readings on the phone. We all carry our phones these days, so it is much better than getting under coats, etc and unclipping the pump. BIG PLUS to Phone integration….. is the ability to ask Siri to tell me my CGM reading (and app also tells the trend arrow). It integrates to my car, so I can push a button on the steering wheel, ask for glucose and the car verbally announces reading and trend. BEST FEATURE EVER!
Very important, as the app is the way I connect to CareLink, which allows my sister to be a Care Partner and help me if I have missed an alert for a low. She has saved my life multiple times by being sure I am treating a low or have woken up to do so.