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Connect With Garmin devices†† to Check Your Dexcom CGM Readings On the Go
Generally, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology can make diabetes management a lot more convenient, in some cases allowing you to track your glucose in real time without regular finger pricks.† Being able to see this information on a secondary display from a hands-free device, like a smartwatch, takes this a step further, giving you added freedom of movement while checking your readings.
What is Garmin?
Garmin creates wearable technologies, including smartwatches and other products, such as cycling computers, that can help you to monitor your fitness goals and health. If you’re highly active, an athlete, or want a more discreet way to view your glucose levels to give you peace of mind while on the go, you can download the Dexcom app* from Garmin’s Connect IQTM (CIQ) Store and install it on a compatible Garmin smartwatch or cycling computer. The Garmin device then functions as a secondary display to your Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System, allowing you to check your glucose levels from your Dexcom CGM via the Dexcom CIQ App during workouts and other daily routines.*
Why use a smartwatch to check your glucose levels?
1. Access Dexcom CGM readings at a glance
With the Dexcom app on a compatible Garmin device, you can see up to three hours of your glucose data by means of a secondary display to your Dexcom CGM,* to be able to quickly view your glucose readings without needing to have a look at your smartphone with the Dexcom app.‡ This is useful if you’re on the move or have your hands full.
2. Stay portable and flexible
A smartwatch gives you more freedom of movement since you don’t need to look at your smartphone or receiver to monitor your glucose levels.*‡ This is especially convenient if you like to monitor your readings while active, or if you engage in activities where staying hands-free is necessary—like running, cycling, or climbing. Please note your smartphone should be kept within six meters of your compatible device to continue receiving CGM readings.
3. View glucose levels discreetly
Even if you don’t need to stay hands-free while active, it’s not always ideal or convenient to use your smartphone to check your readings—for example, if you’re in an important meeting, or your smartphone or receiver is tucked away in your bag. The Dexcom app on a compatible smartwatch*‡§ allows you to keep a close eye on your glucose levels without interrupting personal interactions and other activities.
4. Readings of other health data
Garmin smartwatches can display other health data, like sleep and stress scores, health snapshots, and goal progress (more on these features below). This is an easy way to stay on top of your health and fitness in a way that suits your lifestyle.
5. Track glucose levels during activities
The Dexcom app on compatible Garmin devices can function as a secondary display to show your Dexcom CGM readings as a data field.*‡ Through that, you can see your glucose levels and trends, as well as other information, like your heart rate, distance, or speed, that you have set up during specific workouts.
How Garmin can support diabetes management
Aside from keeping your glucose information accessible through the Dexcom app as a secondary display to your Dexcom CGM, Garmin devices offer several features that can support your diabetes management.
1. Goal tracking
Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight are some of the best things you can do to manage diabetes.1 Garmin devices offer a goals feature, which can set activity targets and track progress. For example, you can create a goal to run a total of three hours each week and the device will record how much time you spend running.
2. Custom workouts
Garmin devices have a custom workout feature, which can help you stay consistent with exercise as an addition to your diabetes management. With the feature, you can build workout plans with specific steps—like warmups, activities, and rests, including the length and intensity of each step. Talk to your diabetes care team to create a workout plan that suits your needs and lifestyle.||
3. Health Snapshot
People living with diabetes may face an increased risk of developing heart disease, as high glucose can damage blood vessels and nerves that regulate heart function.2 Monitoring your heart health is important for managing this risk. Garmin Health Snapshots can display your heart rate, heart rate variability, and blood oxygen and respiration levels so you can easily track your cardiovascular activity.¶
4. Sleep and stress scores
Stress and fatigue can increase insulin resistance and affect your diet and exercise choices, impacting glucose levels.3,4 If you have glucose highs or lows while you sleep, you may also feel tired during the day, which can cause irregular sleep patterns.5 Specific Garmin smartwatches can measure your stress based on factors such as your heart rate variability, while Sleep Score can show you the quality of your sleep each night. These insights can guide your self-care. Proper self-care can make it easier to understand how your glucose levels change based on sleep habits and stress.
5. Pregnancy tracking
Staying within your target glucose range is important for a healthy pregnancy, even before you become pregnant.6 Garmin wearable devices have a pregnancy tracking feature that you can use to log your symptoms, set reminders for self-care, and view manually logged glucose levels alongside health indicators, like your heart rate. Your target glucose range and lifestyle needs may change when pregnant6 and these habits may be entirely new if you have gestational diabetes.7 Viewing manually logged glucose data alongside other pregnancy-specific insights can be useful for staying consistent and informed when managing diabetes.# Consult with your care team to create a diabetes management plan if you’re pregnant.
How compatible Garmin smartwatch and cycling computer devices can integrate with Dexcom CGM
If you already use a Dexcom CGM System with the Dexcom app on a compatible smart device or receiver,** you can access readings on your wrist or bike on a compatible Garmin device with an installed Dexcom CIQ App to be used as a secondary display to your Dexcom CGM system.* The Dexcom apps—including the Dexcom widget or Data Field—are available from the Connect IQTM Store* on compatible Garmin smartwatches or cycling computers. The Dexcom widget shows your glucose levels alongside other health indicators. If you have specific readings that you follow during activities, download the Dexcom Data Field to include glucose readings as one of these measurements.
Learn more about
Garmin lifestyle devices
Wearable Garmin devices make it easy to monitor health data quickly and conveniently. This is useful for anyone who wants to learn more about their health and fitness performance. For people living with diabetes, connecting your glucose data with a Garmin device can be a valuable part of your self-care. If you have an active lifestyle or are always on the go, integrating your Dexcom CGM System with Garmin through the Dexcom CIQ app is a smart way to inform your diabetes management.
* Dexcom CGM system required for use. Requires permanent connection to Dexcom GCM device. The Dexcom Connect IQ App has to be installed on compatible device. The Dexcom Apps on Connect IQ are intended only for secondary display of data from the Dexcom CGM System and are for passive monitoring only. The Dexcom Apps on Connect IQ are not intended to replace the Dexcom CGM System or a physician's instructions regarding self-monitoring. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should not be based on data displayed in the Dexcom Apps at Connect IQ.
† Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡ Requires connection to a smartphone within max. 6-meter BLE range and opened Dexcom app on that smartphone to function.
§ Only works with compatible smartwatches.
|| Garmin device recommendations are not intended to replace the Dexcom CGM System or a physician's instructions regarding self-monitoring and exercising. Please always consult with your physician and only exercise when you are in good health. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should be based on consultation with your physician and your diabetes care team.
¶ The Garmin Health Snapshot does not replace consultation with your physician. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should be based on consultation with your physician and your diabetes care team.
#Does not replace consultation with your physician. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should be based on consultation with your physician and your diabetes care team.
** Display devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility
†† Compatible Garmin smartwatch and cycling computer devices.
1 Diabetes and Exercise. Diabetes UK. Accessed 3 January 2024. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/exercise
2 Diabetes and Your Heart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 20 June 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-heart.html
3 Sleep for a Good Cause. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 28 Jully 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-sleep.html
4 Stress and Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed 3 January 2024. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/emotions/stress
5 Sleep and Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Reviewed 23 August 2023. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/sleep-and-diabetes
6 Pregnancy if You Have Diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Reviewed January 2017. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/diabetes-pregnancy.
7 Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 14 July 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/diabetes-gestational.html.
† Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡ Requires connection to a smartphone within max. 6-meter BLE range and opened Dexcom app on that smartphone to function.
§ Only works with compatible smartwatches.
|| Garmin device recommendations are not intended to replace the Dexcom CGM System or a physician's instructions regarding self-monitoring and exercising. Please always consult with your physician and only exercise when you are in good health. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should be based on consultation with your physician and your diabetes care team.
¶ The Garmin Health Snapshot does not replace consultation with your physician. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should be based on consultation with your physician and your diabetes care team.
#Does not replace consultation with your physician. All treatment decisions, including decisions regarding the calculation of insulin units or other medication doses, should be based on consultation with your physician and your diabetes care team.
** Display devices sold separately. For a list of compatible smart devices, please visit www.dexcom.com/compatibility
†† Compatible Garmin smartwatch and cycling computer devices.
1 Diabetes and Exercise. Diabetes UK. Accessed 3 January 2024. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/exercise
2 Diabetes and Your Heart. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 20 June 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-heart.html
3 Sleep for a Good Cause. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 28 Jully 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-sleep.html
4 Stress and Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Accessed 3 January 2024. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/emotions/stress
5 Sleep and Diabetes. Diabetes UK. Reviewed 23 August 2023. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/sleep-and-diabetes
6 Pregnancy if You Have Diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Reviewed January 2017. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/diabetes-pregnancy.
7 Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed 14 July 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/pregnancy/diabetes-gestational.html.