Want to Try Continuous Glucose Monitoring?
By Eliza Skoler
The Hello Dexcom 10-day sample kit includes a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor, instructions for set up, and guidance for getting the most out of your glucose data. Ask your healthcare team to order the device for you in the US or Canada.
Have you heard about continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for people with diabetes, but aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Dexcom’s new CGM sample program, Hello Dexcom, allows people with diabetes who take insulin to try out the Dexcom G6 CGM for 10 days in the US or Canada. Through Hello Dexcom, healthcare professionals can provide people with a free one-time sample of the technology, along with full instructions for set up and information on using and understanding their glucose data. All packaged in one small box, the program is designed so that people can start using the technology and interpreting their glucose levels on their own and from their home.
Continuous glucose monitors measure the body’s glucose (or sugar) levels in real-time by sensing the glucose present in tissue fluid under the skin. The Dexcom G6 CGM measures glucose levels every five minutes – this means that you can get 288 glucose readings a day without fingerstick blood sugar checks.
We got a sample in the mail and checked it out for you. Here’s what the Hello Dexcom kit includes:
A G6 CGM sensor, transmitter, and applicator
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Easy-to-follow instructions on how to insert the sensor
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Simple instructions for downloading the Dexcom G6 and Dexcom Clarity apps
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An online portal with support and Frequently Asked Questions
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A digital “10-day journey of empowerment” to teach you about the features of the G6 and to help you interpret CGM data. The 10-day course involves:
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logging events and becoming familiar with the G6 and Clarity apps
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adjusting alert settings
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learning from meals
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reviewing data through Dexcom Clarity
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A printed guide to using your G6, with information alarms, treatment decisions, troubleshooting, and more
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Note: the kit does not include a separate sensor reader, so only people with a smartphone (Apple or Android) can use this program.
Eliza got to try out the new product – here’s what she thought: All in all, I opened the box, read the instructions, and activated the online portal in less than ten minutes. The step-by-step set up instructions were straightforward and included illustrations, and I felt quite comfortable going through the process on my own. After I downloaded the Dexcom G6 app and made a Dexcom account, there were videos to help me insert the sensor and activate the transmitter.
If you’re curious about CGM, ask your healthcare professional if you can get Hello Dexcom – you can send our article their way. Healthcare professionals can learn more about the program and order Hello Dexcom sample kits here. To learn more about CGM – how it works, its benefits and considerations, what the data means, and stories from user – check out this CGM pocket guide.
For more try-before-you-buy diabetes technology, learn about the free Omnipod DASH insulin pump trial.
