Dexcom ONE 30 Day Starter Kit

What Is the Dexcom ONE Starter Kit and How Does It Help With Diabetes?

Living with diabetes means keeping a close eye on your glucose levels — and that used to mean multiple finger pricks every single day. The Dexcom ONE starter kit changes that. It is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system designed for adults with diabetes who want real-time glucose readings sent directly to their smartphone, without the constant need for lancets and test strips. If you are managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes and want a clearer, more convenient picture of how your glucose moves throughout the day and night, this kit is worth understanding properly.

The 30 Day Starter Kit includes everything you need to begin monitoring straight away: a transmitter, sensors to cover approximately one month of wear, and access to the Dexcom ONE app. You can explore our full range of diabetes monitoring products at Cured Pharmacy if you are comparing options or need replacement sensors alongside your starter kit.

How Does the Dexcom ONE Continuous Glucose Monitor Work?

The system works by measuring glucose in the interstitial fluid — the fluid surrounding your cells just beneath the skin — rather than directly in your blood. A tiny biosensor is inserted just under the surface of the skin using a simple applicator. Once in place, it takes a glucose reading every five minutes and transmits that data wirelessly to the Dexcom ONE app on your compatible smartphone.

• A small, flexible sensor filament sits just beneath the skin surface
• An electrochemical reaction between glucose and the sensor generates a measurable electrical signal
• The transmitter converts this signal and sends it via Bluetooth to your phone
• The app displays your current glucose level, a trend arrow showing whether levels are rising or falling, and a graph of the past few hours
• Customisable alerts notify you if your glucose goes too high or too low

Each sensor lasts up to 10 days, after which you simply replace it. The transmitter is reusable across multiple sensors.

Who Is the Dexcom ONE 30 Day Starter Kit Suitable For?

This kit is intended for adults aged 18 and over who have been diagnosed with diabetes and are looking to move away from — or reduce — routine finger-prick testing. It is particularly useful if you experience hypoglycaemia unawareness, have difficulty maintaining stable glucose levels, or simply want more data to share with your diabetes care team.

• Adults with type 1 diabetes using insulin therapy
• Adults with type 2 diabetes on insulin or other glucose-lowering medicines
• People who want to understand how food, exercise, and stress affect their glucose
• Those who find frequent finger-prick testing difficult or painful

It is not currently licensed for use in children under 2 years of age. Always discuss starting a CGM with your GP or diabetes specialist before you begin, particularly if you are pregnant or have a complex medication regimen.

How Does the Dexcom ONE Compare to Other CGM Options?

How Should You Store the Dexcom ONE Starter Kit?

Sensors should be stored at between 2°C and 25°C — so a cool, dry cupboard is ideal. Avoid leaving them in a car glove box in summer or near a radiator, as heat can degrade the sensor chemistry and affect accuracy. The transmitter itself can be stored at room temperature when not in use.

If you are also managing other aspects of your health alongside diabetes, you might find it helpful to browse our vitamins and supplements range, which includes products that support general wellbeing for people with long-term conditions. Always check with your pharmacist before starting any new supplement if you are on diabetes medication.

This product is a medical device. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using if you have an underlying medical condition or are taking other medicines.

What Is the Dexcom ONE 30 Day Starter Kit and What Is It Used For?

The Dexcom ONE 30 Day Starter Kit is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system used by adults with diabetes to track their glucose levels in real time, 24 hours a day. Unlike traditional blood glucose meters that give you a single snapshot reading, the Dexcom ONE provides a continuous stream of data — a reading every five minutes — along with trend arrows that show whether your glucose is rising, falling, or staying steady. This helps you and your healthcare team make more informed decisions about food, activity, and medication.

The NHS recognises CGM as a valuable tool for people with diabetes, particularly those on insulin therapy, as it can help reduce the frequency and severity of hypoglycaemic episodes. The kit is not a medicine but a regulated medical device, and it is available without a prescription for eligible adults.

What Do You Need to Know Before Using the Dexcom ONE?

Before you start using this device, there are some important considerations to be aware of. Please read the following carefully.

Do not use the Dexcom ONE if:

• You are under 18 years of age
• You have a known allergy to any of the sensor materials, including medical-grade adhesive
• You are undergoing MRI, CT scanning, or diathermy — remove the sensor and transmitter before these procedures
• You are on dialysis (the device has not been validated in this population)

Warnings and precautions:

• Always confirm with a fingerstick blood glucose test if your symptoms do not match the sensor reading before making any treatment decision
• High doses of paracetamol (acetaminophen) may interfere with sensor accuracy — speak to your pharmacist if you regularly take paracetamol
• Hydroxyurea, a medicine used in some blood disorders, is known to affect Dexcom sensor readings
• Sensor readings may be less accurate during periods of rapid glucose change
• If you experience persistent skin irritation, redness, or swelling at the sensor site, remove the sensor and consult a healthcare professional

Known interactions:

• Paracetamol (high doses) — may falsely elevate glucose readings
• Hydroxyurea — known to interfere with electrochemical glucose sensors
• Vitamin C supplements in very high doses — may affect accuracy in some CGM systems; check with your pharmacist

How Should You Use the Dexcom ONE Sensor and Transmitter?

Setting up your Dexcom ONE for the first time is straightforward, but it is important to follow each step carefully to ensure accurate readings from the outset.

1. Download the Dexcom ONE app on your compatible smartphone and create an account
2. Wash your hands thoroughly and clean the insertion site (abdomen or back of upper arm) with an alcohol wipe; allow to dry completely
3. Remove the sensor from its packaging and peel the adhesive backing
4. Press the applicator firmly against the skin and press the button to insert the sensor filament
5. Remove the applicator and snap the transmitter onto the sensor pod until it clicks
6. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to pair the transmitter via Bluetooth
7. Wait for the two-hour warm-up period before your first reading appears
8. Set your high and low glucose alert thresholds as advised by your diabetes care team

If you are also managing weight as part of your diabetes care, you may find our weight loss range a useful complement to your monitoring routine — always discuss any weight management plan with your GP first.

What Are the Possible Side Effects of the Dexcom ONE?

As with any wearable medical device that involves skin contact and a small subcutaneous insertion, some people do experience reactions. Most are mild and resolve on their own.

Common side effects:

• Mild redness or irritation at the sensor insertion site
• Itching under or around the adhesive patch
• Minor bruising at the insertion point
• Temporary discomfort during sensor insertion

Less common side effects:

• Allergic contact dermatitis from the adhesive
• Skin indentation or scarring with repeated use at the same site
• Sensor inaccuracy leading to missed high or low glucose alerts
• Infection at the insertion site (rare — seek medical advice promptly if you notice pus, increasing warmth, or spreading redness)

Rotate your sensor insertion sites regularly to reduce the risk of skin reactions and tissue changes. If you develop a significant skin reaction, remove the sensor and contact your GP or diabetes nurse.

How Should You Store the Dexcom ONE Starter Kit?

• Store sensors at 2°C to 25°C in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
• Do not freeze sensors — freezing will damage the biosensor chemistry
• Keep sensors in their original sealed packaging until ready to use
• Store the transmitter at room temperature (15°C–30°C) when not in use
• Keep all components away from children
• Check the expiry date on each sensor before use — do not use expired sensors
• Do not store near strong electromagnetic fields or magnets

For broader health support alongside your diabetes management, our electrical health and diagnostic range includes blood pressure monitors and other devices that can help you keep track of your overall health at home.