Enlite Vs Dexcom

Shortly after getting my insulin pump 2 years ago I started using Medtronic's continuous glucose monitor (CGM) Enlite. It didn't take long for me to absolutely love such wonderful technology. For those of you unheard of a CGM, it is a small wearable device inserted in the interstitial fluids giving me a blood sugar reading every 5 minutes. In addition, with the use of arrows, I was able to plan ahead by knowing which direction my blood sugars are heading. In short, I could see the behind the scenes of my blood sugar that my glucometer simply did not offer. About a week ago after using Enlite sensors for 2 years, I decided to make a switch to another brand of CGM's called Dexcom. Having both accessible to me I decided to test them both out by inserting an Enlite sensor on my left arm and the Dexcom sensor on my right arm and compare the pros and cons of each device.

Enlite Sensor

Dexcom Sensor

Accuracy 

When I first started on the enlite sensors two years ago...they weren't accurate a high percentage of the time. However, over the past year, I have been super impressed with how much it has improved. The Dexcom has always been known for its accuracy, so I decided to compare their accuracy and very interestingly they were both extremely accurate and very close.

But, just like all technology they both have their fair share of pros and cons which I believe should be considered when choosing your perfect CGM.

Here is a summary list below of the pros and cons of both sensors:

Enlite Pros:

• Low Glucose Suspend: 
• This is a feature that is perfect for people who struggle to fear their lows. This feature suspends your insulin pump once the enlite sensor reads the set blood sugar.
• Single Device: 
• The good thing about the enlite sensor is that it is connected to your insulin pump. That means that you do not need to carry another device around with you to view your blood sugars and since the pump is attached to you, you will never forget at home (I hope not anyways lol)
• Accuracy: 
• The enlite is fairly accurate after the warmup period
• Pre-Warning: 
• If blood sugars are getting close to the high or low set limit, the enlite gives you a high or low predicted. This means you can react ahead of time before reaching your set limit.
• Warmup phase: 
• If you decide to reuse the same señsor for longer than 6 days and restart sensor as new the warmup phase is only 15-20 mins long rather than the normal 2 hours

Enlite Cons:

• Sensor Adhesive: 
• The sensors adhesive is super irritative and becomes itchy and causes rashes 3 days from insertion.
• Calibration: 
• With enlite in order to ensure accurate readings you must calibrate your sensor 3-4 times a day when your bg is steady. Another point is if you do not calibrate after 12 hours you stop receiving any BG readings.
• Ripping: 
• Depending on where you insert the sensor makes it more or less venerable of getting ripped out. The transmitters design gives it the vulnerability of it getting ripped out.
• Insertion: 



Insertion Device

• The insertion for it can be painful. However, the worst thing about the process is the insertion device. It is big, scary and makes me cringe every time I had to use it. 
• Transmitter: 
• The enlite transmitter can remember BGLs for up to 15 mins when it is has lost connection with the pump and later fill in those 15 mins once it gains connection again.

Dexcom Pros:

• Sensor Adhesive: 
• The Dexcom adhesive causes no rashes or itchiness around the area
• Sensor Age: 
• The Dexcom can last much longer than the 7 days and still be accurate. Most people seem to get a solid 2 weeks out of them before inserting a new one
• Bluetooth: 
• Having the Dexcom link up to your phone makes it an easy and accessible way to stalk you BGLs. In addition, although this feature is currently not available in Canada, having Dexcom link to your apple watch allows you to know you BGLs by a quick glance at your watch.
• Followers: 
• This can have its benefits and setbacks but having others be able to have access to your BGLs can be beneficial especially at night time if you don't feel your lows. This is extremely beneficial to children as their parents can have access to their BGLs at all time even while they are at school or a sleepover.
• BGLs on Phone: 
• So this isn't really a big thing but I found having the change colours on the screen between yellow for highs, white for in range and red for lows really puts in perspective how blood sugars looked like for the day.
• Calibration:
• For Dexcom to be accurate I seem to only need 2 calibrations rather than the 3-4 like enlite. That means fewer finger pricks for me!

Dexcom Cons:

• Transmitter: 
• Compared to the enlite sensor where you just had to charge the transmitter and you're good to go...with Dexcom the transmitter dies out every three months and you have to purchase a new one. 
• The transmitter does not keep store of BGLs so when you lose connection you end up with gaps in your graph
• Connection with Phone: 
• With the G5 you need to purchase the receiver or else your only access to your blood sugars are through your phone and say your phone runs out of battery that means you no longer have access to you BGLs. 
• I'm not sure if it's a Dexcom problem or the Dexcom app on the iPhone but having the Dexcom for a bit over a week, the app has crashed maybe 5-6 times. It says you need to delete the app and re-download however if you restart your phone it seems to start work fine again.
• In order for anyone following your blood sugars to receive data...you need to have an android or iPhone with you and it must be connected to wifi or data. This point might be a bit of a let down for young kids.
• Accuracy:
• The first 24 hours of the Dexcom can be a bit inaccurate