Trust in Accuracy: How SIBIONICS GS1 Gives You Accurate Glucose Data
It's your birthday. A friend brings out a rich red velvet cake, and you enjoy a slice. Later, you glance at your SIBIONICS GS1 sensor and read 117 mg/dL with an up arrow. It's too low based on the cake you ate, so you finger-stick and read 139 mg/dL. Which one is correct? Accuracy is crucial since you're basing your decision to take a walk, have a snack, or change your medication to these values. In the following section, we explain what accuracy for SIBIONICS GS1 is and why you can trust its readings.
How Accurate Is SIBIONICS GS1?
Accuracy measures how close an instrument's reading is to one performed in the lab, the most accurate method of measuring glucose. SIBIONICS GS1 has been compared with these "gold-standard" laboratory tests and shows reproducible results most of the time. Basically, about 93 out of 100 GS1 readings fall within an acceptable range when compared to laboratory values. That gives you confidence that if GS1 measures your glucose as 100 mg/dL, it will be most likely between 80 and 120 mg/dL in the laboratory.
How SIBIONICS GS1 Is Tested
1. Clinical Comparisons
SIBIONICS performs studies in which many people wear GS1 sensors as laboratory technicians draw blood and test glucose in a lab. Comparing thousands of paired readings helps to confirm if the sensor is still in alignment with true lab values.
2. Large-Scale Studies
In one test, researchers collected 20,000 lab tests and 20,000 GS1 readings at the same intervals. Such a large sample proves that GS1 works well under many users and conditions.
3. Gold-Standard Benchmark
Lab procedures often utilize a YSI Analyzer. It's one of the most consistent instruments to take glucose readings. GS1 values were found to compare to YSI within 20% on average for levels above 70 mg/dL and within 20 mg/dL for levels below 70 mg/dL. To attain this "20/20 rule" means GS1 stays close to lab results.
4. Continuous Improvement
SIBIONICS continually updates its testing methods and sensor engineering as new research and technology are discovered. This keeps GS1 precise and up-to-date over a period of time.
What "93% Accurate" Really Is
When we say that GS1 is 93% accurate, we're saying 93% of its readings pass the 20/20 test. If a lab says 100 mg/dL, a GS1 reading of 80 mg/dL to 120 mg/dL is said to be accurate. At lower levels, if the lab shows 65 mg/dL, a GS1 reading from 45 to 85 mg/dL is considered accurate. No sensor is perfect, but GS1’s data falls into the right range most of the time, helping you trust your next move.
Pro Tip: Use Landscape Mode
GS1 updates your reading minute by minute but shows new information in 15-minute blocks on the app. If you look at a 14-minute-old point and your glucose is changing quickly, it might look wacky. Tipping your phone or tablet to the side (landscape mode) makes the graph bigger and eliminates brief jumps. This perspective helps you identify trends better, so you can see how your levels are trending over time.
Why GS1 and Finger-Stick Results Vary
Even with firm accuracy, GS1 and finger-stick meters are testing glucose in various liquids and ways. These are some of the primary reasons for small discrepancies between the two methods:
- Delay in Interstitial Fluid
GS1 reads the fluid beneath your skin, which may be behind your blood by five to ten minutes. If your glucose is changing rapidly, the two methods won't be identical until your level stabilizes.
- Hand Cleanliness
Trace glucose on your fingers—such as fruit juice—may elevate a finger-stick reading. Wash and dry your hands before testing to obtain the best meter reading.
- New Sensor Days
Your body's reaction the first day after using a GS1 sensor may cause readings to vary more. Accuracy typically improves after the sensor has adjusted.
Pressure on the Sensor
Sleeping or leaning with your arm under you may compress the sensor and give a low reading. When pressure is removed, the readings should return to normal.
Building Confidence in Your Data
Trust comes from accuracy. With GS1, you see the whole picture of your glucose trends and can react before it gets too high or too low. Knowing how GS1 works will let you know when to believe a rapid scan and when a secondary finger-stick might be beneficial. With experience, noticing GS1's close correlation with lab work and meter checks will convince you.
