Disabling Auto-Mode on my Medtronic 670G

The @Medtronic 670G auto-mode is completely useless to me. My endo and the diabetes educator recommended turning it off. That's what I'm doing. I have to live 3 more years with this POS.

I currently use the 670G with the Guardian 3 CGM. Last year my endocrinologist recommended I try the 670G and I had no issues getting approval, and I started using the system in March of 2018. My A1C is worse than it has ever been. The 670G target BG is programmed to for 120mg/dL and unchangeable. My target BG has always been 90mg/dL.

But I've had too many issues with failed sensors over the last year. I have called into the support line over two dozen times since getting the 607G. I was losing my patience, and each call into the support center ended with a " ... we will send you a replacement sensor". The support reps responses made it seem that the problem was me, not the product.

No matter how carefully I insert and tape down a sensor, The sensor reading becomes unstable when I exercise. Medtronic reps told me directly, “The sensor can become unstable during vigorous exercise.” It was recommended that when this happens, I should replace the sensor. I exercise every day. What am I supposed to do?

Eventually, after numerous calls over two months last fall, I was given a link to request a new transmitter with updated firmware. That was several weeks ago, and I have not heard anything from Medtronic.

I don’t care anymore. The system is unusable to me. If I can’t exercise safely or go hiking with a CGMS, then it serves no purpose.

This week I had a long chat with my endocrinologist. She stated her other patients were doing well on the 67G and G3. They had improved outcomes, but these are patients who were never as tightly controlled as I was. She called Medtronic on my behalf. A Medtronic diabetes educator called me, and we spoke. She admitted that my A1C would be higher with the 670G system in auto-mode and recommended disabling auto-mode. So that is what I will do.

I may talk to my endo about going back to Dexcom. The G6 seems like a fantastic bit of kit.

Author: Khürt Williams

A human who works in information security and enjoys photography, Formula 1 and craft ale. #nobridge

2 thoughts on “Disabling Auto-Mode on my Medtronic 670G”

  1. Wow. Your story sounds exactly like mine. I am also on the 670G with CGMS.
    I been using Medtronic pumps for the last 20 years and never had any issues until I upgraded to the 670G. When calling Medtronic for assistance I feel they do not understand the issue we encounter since they are not users of their own products.

Comments are closed.