Blog - Dexcom News
How Dexcom Integrates With Tandem t:slim X2TM
When you’re living with diabetes, closely monitoring your glucose is an essential part of your care. Being mindful of your levels and insulin requirements can take up a lot of time and energy, but there are tools that can help. Combining continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology with a compatible insulin pump can be a useful way to relieve the constant attention required for your overall health and well-being.
If you use the Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) System and take insulin as part of your treatment plan, you can connect it to the Tandem t:slim X2TM insulin pump. This can help automate part of your glucose regulation, helping you avoid glucose highs and lows, while giving you more freedom to focus on your daily activities.
How does the Tandem t:slim X2 insulin pump work with Dexcom CGM?
The Tandem t:slim X2 is an insulin pump that integrates with Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7. When you connect the t:slim X2 to a Dexcom CGM System, the insulin pump will receive your glucose readings and use an algorithm to change your insulin delivery based on those numbers.
There are two predictive technologies that the t:slim X2 can use when integrated with Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7: Control-IQTM or Basal-IQTM technology:
Control-IQ is a hybrid closed-loop system (more on this later) designed to prevent glucose highs and lows and keep you in your target range. It uses Dexcom CGM readings to predict your glucose levels up to 30 minutes in advance. Then, it can increase, decrease, or stop basal insulin based on what your body needs. If the system anticipates your levels to rise, it can also automatically deliver up to one correction bolus per hour.
Basal-IQ* uses data from Dexcom G6 to predict your glucose levels, but it stops administering insulin if your readings are expected to drop below 4.4 mmol/L. Insulin delivery continues when your glucose readings rise again. Basal-IQ can’t adjust your dosage or give correction boluses automatically like Control-IQ, but it can still be an effective way to help prevent lows.
Creating a hybrid closed-loop system with t:slim X2
You may have heard about hybrid closed-loop (HCL) systems or automated insulin delivery (AID) while researching CGM-compatible insulin pumps like the t:slim X2. An HCL system is a type of AID system that aims to mimic insulin regulation, similar to that of a pancreas. Using t:slim X2 and Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 with Control-IQ is one example of an HCL since insulin delivery is automated based on your glucose levels.
An HCL system is especially convenient because you don’t need to routinely take finger prick tests or inject insulin manually.†‡ While you still must count carbs and enter bolus information into the system when you eat, it can give you greater flexibility to go about your life with greater peace of mind, day and night. HCL systems can also help stabilise glucose levels and increase your time in range.1-3 Combining t:slim X2 with Dexcom G7 for automated insulin delivery has been shown to give 2.6 hours more time in range each day, on average, when compared to a non-AID system.#,4
How Tandem t:slim X2 can support your diabetes management
The t:slim X2 has several features that can make diabetes management convenient and easily fit into your everyday routine.
- Small in size
The t:slim X2 is up to 38% smaller than other typical pumps on the market,§ yet it can still hold a surprisingly large amount of insulin, up to 300 units. Without large devices getting in the way, the pump’s size and flexibility means that there’s less inconvenience for you to get on with your daily tasks and activities. - User-friendly interface
It’s useful to have a simple interface on your pump so you can perform necessary tasks quickly and carry on with your day. The t:slim X2 has an intuitive touchscreen, similar to a smartphone, with different colours that make it easy to find and input data at a glance. All the information you need—like your CGM readings, remaining insulin units, and battery life—is on the home screen for quick access. - Custom settings
You can input information like your basal rate and target blood glucose level with the t:slim X2. This allows the system to calculate the right amount of insulin to deliver over 24 hours. You can create up to 6 different profile settings so that it’s easy to adjust the system based on your lifestyle. For example, you can create separate “weekend” or “weekday” profiles if your activities and meals on those days vary. You can also use ‘Exercise’ or ‘sleep’ activity to help manage your blood glucose levels during those times. - Rechargeable battery
You can recharge the pump via USB or an AC adapter—whichever is most convenient for you. When fully charged, your t:slim X2 will operate continuously for four to seven days. - Watertight construction
The pump is watertight,|| so you don’t have to worry about damage if it’s exposed to moisture. However, it is not waterproof, and it’s best not to wear it while swimming, surfing, or doing activities that could submerge it beyond the recommended 30-minute period. - Multiple infusion set options
An infusion set is the tubing system that carries insulin from the pump to your body. The t:slim X2 offers several infusion sets with different insertion angles and mechanisms to suit your lifestyle, insertion location, and other preferences.
Integrating Tandem t:slim X2 with Dexcom
Once you have your t:slim X2 set up, you can pair your Dexcom G6 or Dexcom G7 CGM System with it by entering your Dexcom transmitter ID through Options > My CGM on the pump. When the two systems are connected, the t:slim X2 receives glucose readings up to every 5 minutes and displays this information on the home screen. The t:slim X2 is the first insulin pump that connects to Dexcom G7.
Using your Dexcom CGM System with t:slim X2 can help offload a lot of the time and energy you spend on diabetes management each day—especially if you require multiple daily injections, frequent glucose checks, or constant adjustments to your insulin pump schedule.
Take control of your diabetes with Tandem t:slim X2
If you’re living with type 1 diabetes, connecting a Dexcom CGM System with the t:slim X2 is a great way to simplify your care plan and give you more confidence when managing diabetes. Talk to your healthcare team to find out if this automated insulin delivery setup is the best option for you.
References:
* Basal-IQ technology users with an in-warranty pump are advised to contact Tandem Diabetes for more information and support.
† Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡ An HCL system does not fully automate diabetes management and may still sometimes require you to inject insulin manually. Talk to your diabetes care team to discuss how automated insulin delivery fits into your care plan.
# Results in this study obtained with Dexcom G6.
§ 38% smaller than MiniMed 770G. Data on file, Tandem Diabetes Care.
|| The Tandem t:slim X2 is watertight for up to 30 minutes when submerged at a depth of 0.91 metres.
1 Peacock, S et al. A Systematic Review of Commercial Hybrid ClosedLoop Automated Insulin Delivery Systems. Diabetes Ther 2023;14(5):839-855.
2 Graham R, et al. Real-World Use of Control-IQ Technology Is Associated with a Lower Rate of Severe Hypoglycemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis Than Historical Data: Results of the Control-IQ Observational (CLIO) Prospective Study. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2024 Jan;26(1):24-32.
3 Beck RW, et al. A Meta- Analysis of Randomized Trial Outcomes for the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Control-IQ Technology in Youth and Adults from Age 2 to 72. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2023;25(5):329-342.
4 Brown SA, et al. Six-Month Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Closed-Loop Control in Type 1 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(18):1707-1717.
* Basal-IQ technology users with an in-warranty pump are advised to contact Tandem Diabetes for more information and support.
† Finger pricks required for diabetes treatment decisions if symptoms or expectations do not match readings.
‡ An HCL system does not fully automate diabetes management and may still sometimes require you to inject insulin manually. Talk to your diabetes care team to discuss how automated insulin delivery fits into your care plan.
# Results in this study obtained with Dexcom G6.
§ 38% smaller than MiniMed 770G. Data on file, Tandem Diabetes Care.
|| The Tandem t:slim X2 is watertight for up to 30 minutes when submerged at a depth of 0.91 metres.
1 Peacock, S et al. A Systematic Review of Commercial Hybrid ClosedLoop Automated Insulin Delivery Systems. Diabetes Ther 2023;14(5):839-855.
2 Graham R, et al. Real-World Use of Control-IQ Technology Is Associated with a Lower Rate of Severe Hypoglycemia and Diabetic Ketoacidosis Than Historical Data: Results of the Control-IQ Observational (CLIO) Prospective Study. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2024 Jan;26(1):24-32.
3 Beck RW, et al. A Meta- Analysis of Randomized Trial Outcomes for the t:slim X2 Insulin Pump with Control-IQ Technology in Youth and Adults from Age 2 to 72. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2023;25(5):329-342.
4 Brown SA, et al. Six-Month Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Closed-Loop Control in Type 1 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2019;381(18):1707-1717.