The MiniMed 670G from Medtronic is an insulin pump coupled with a glucose sensor. It uses a computer program (called an “algorithm”) to automate certain aspects of insulin delivery. I decided to try 670G partially out of professional interest (everybody and their great aunt has been asking for my opinion on the system), and partially out of personal interest, as my blood glucose control hasn’t been the greatest the past couple of years.
Let me start out by saying this:
Since I started using 670G, my overall blood glucose control is better.
I have to keep reminding myself of this non-consequential fact, because every day I find things about this system that I don’t particularly like.
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I like the idea behind the unit but don’t like what it actually does. I’m ending up taking more finger pricks and adjustments than what i use to with my animus/dexcom system. The alerts and working thru the menus is driving me crazy. I want a system that stops delivering insulin when you are 70 period. After 58 years of this that’s all i want. The lawyers screwed this on up.
I completely agree
I went from dexcom g5 and pens to the 670g. I love the way the auto adjustments work. Problem is when the cgm is t working correctly which seems to be a lot. It’s almost always off by at least 20. End up checking my blood sugar at least 5 times a day. I have had quite a few sensors that failed. Very disappointed. My dexcom was almost always with in 5-10. Almost never needed re-calibration and was just easier to use. I think I just want to send this back and get the tslim and dexcom combo.
IM there with you bud, used it for 2 weeks.. found it to be inaccurate, labor intensive, expensive, .what good is the loop system if it’s off by 40 pts .. most of the time
I put up with the 670g sensor for a year and just could not handle ALL the issues that kept me up many nights/weekends/days. I have been on the Dexcom G6 for 2 weeks. What a relief. I am only doing finger sticks to see how close I really am. I am never more than -+10 either way. And comfortable now that I go days before a finger stick and not truly needed. With the 670G it kept telling me I was under 40 and tested at 187 because I was trying to get the low up. STAY AWAY from the 670G sensor. It should NOT be on the market!! FDA really needs to investigate this device more!
I’m writing a paper for school on the new advances in type 1 diabetes including the mini Med 670 G. I was wondering if someone could help me with the costs of the minimed 670 G vs the continuous infusion pump. I mean how much both devices cost upfront and the supplies maintanence yearly for each. Also from out of pocket how much is covered by the insurance. Not that easy to get that information from medtronic.
Bought my 670G in Apr (approx). Cost was $9500 approx.Transmitter supplied for free but would need replacing after approx 12mths, Canula supplies approx
$360pa, test strips $360 – $400pa (depending on how many tests being done),Sensors $125 per month (1/2 price deal)=$1750pa Transmitter ??
If you read previous reviews I agree 100% with them. I am testing more over dosing which has created lows then rebounds, waking many times throughout the night, inaccurate readings, menus long and frustrating. Bottomline if I could get back my old broken pump I would. Faults and all it was better.
I know from my experience it all depends on your health insurance
Michael
I have been with Medtronic for years, their customer service is very responsive. I am now due for an upgrade and confused about the 670 G, one friend loves it. She is going to add the Dexcom 6 as Medicare won’t pay for the Medtronic CGM.
I know someone else on the Tandem T Slim with the compatible Dexcom G 6 and is happy, but I like the Medtronic infusion sets better.
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thanks
Sherry
I have been diabetic 40 years and on an insulin pump for 27 years, with Medtronic. I have tried all their sensors and they all suck. The are never accurate and have caused issues for me correcting a low blood sugar saying it was 43 and when I pricked my finger it was 120. this product should be taken off the market. I used a Dexcom C5 before I got the 670G and I am in the process of getting a new C6. I stopped all my Medtronic Sensors. Also having a problem with my transmitter Battery not lasting the full 7 days. When I called Medtronic the rep told me that my transmitter needs to be replaced but it’s out of warranty. If my insurance doesn’t cover it it will be an out of pocket expense of $675. Amazing how they can warranty my pump for 4 years and my sensor for only 1 year. DON’T DO IT!!
Totally agree the medtronic 670G CGM is crap. Same thing happening to me. Pump by itself is fine, but combined with the CGM the package is more than a waste of money. Poorly integrated, questionable programming, bad end result.
I absolutely agree
Totally agree. Constant finger pricks, sensors that fail repeatedly, spike in glucose for no reason, the list goes on. I am switching next week to a new pump and cgm. I think it is bad enough that it feels like Medtronic is scamming us to buy supplies and the like from them. The idea behind the pump is fantastic but lacks good execution and costs a lot of money. To me, it is worthy of a class action suit. It is that bad in my opinion.
My Mom had a bent cannula with the Medtronics 360 infusor that caused her bs go up to 650. She received an alert saying: “bolus not delivered,” and advised her to check the infusor, which she did. It seemed to be delivering. My Dad finally thought to looked at the cannula in the icu and discovered it was bent.
Anybody had this issue?
How does that happen?
-A Krupp
I find it happens quite often. I guess the cannula hits a lumpy bit under the skin and bends. Sometimes it’s inserted in a bad spot?. Trouble there aswell is your levels skyrocket before you know it., then play catch-up as you don’t really know how much onboard insulin you have.
I have,had the same thing happen to me. It’s just hard to find an answer. I JUST CHANGE IT OUT.
This issue has happen to me twice in the past 5 Years.
I have other no delivery issues Maybe about 10 times. If I call they will replace.
I love the Dexcom, but ordering from the company is a pain … they are often a month late delivering supplies and I have to continuously call them to make sure they are working on the order.
Was thinking about switching to Medronic because of this … but now i don’t know after reading all these bad reviews of it (Medtronic)
Also the new G6 inserter is very comfortable and easy to use – but its a giant piece of plastic that you cant recycle or re-use … feels very wasteful
In the first 4 months of using the 670G I called for support more times than I did in the 3 years of using Dexcom. It is not uncommon to have a difference of 100 points between the CGM and finger stick. I am now on month 10 and miserable I can’t wait to get rid of this piece of shit. “Customer service” treats you like an idiot when you call, keep you on the phone for at least 20 minutes before they agree you have a bad sensor. I am going to talk to my Dr. and see if I can get the Tandem pump and Dexcom. I totally hate the 670G
Amen. Almost a year with the MiniMed and I cannot take it any longer. Ordered the Dexcom G6 last week.
I habe had three meditronic pumps and the sensor system is really bad. I was pretty excited about about getting the 670g. Boy was I disappointed. The sensors in this system is by far the worst pump yet. I have called meditronic at least a dozen times as I wanted this pump to work. The sensors are not transmitting or there not connecting. I recently called and the tech told me it was a bad transmitter and of course the new transmitter will not connect. At least the 530g worked some of the time. I am so disappointed with 570g. What a piece of crap? Don’t waste your time or money on this.i am so sorry that I bought this.
I absolutely agree
Wow! I’m so glad I’ve been doing my research! (I’m a research nut!) My doctor highly recommended this pump. Said she her patients have been tremendously pleased and their numbers are much better.
I’ve used the Medtronic pumps in the past along with the guardian sensor. I never had any luck. It almost turned me off of pumping while using a sensor completely. I’ve had diabetes for 43 years with NO complications at all. I’ve never even been to the hospital for anything related to diabetes, so I did not last more than a year on the sensor. Finger sticks are much more reliable. And my A1c proved it.
Then I decided to give the CGM another try, but I used the Dexcom. When I tell you that my Dexcom is 95% accurate, I’m telling the truth. And when it isn’t, it is normally my error, not the sensor. I would love to see Medtronic allow the option of choosing which sensor you want to use. I know that would probably be an algorithm nightmare but a girl can dream, right?
On top of that, as much as you pay for these pumps, then they don’t work? I’d be very upset to say the least because unless you pay out of pocket, you are stuck with it until the warranty is expired. I’m just thankful to find normal people doing reviews so someone considering the pump gets a real review rather than one that the company pays for. And of course there are people that the pump will work for, But in my pumping time, I’ve been through six pumps and I have not had good luck with Minimed at all. I love the T-slim that I use along with the Dexcom sensor. It’s my partner in crime. I rely on it constantly, sometimes too much, but it never gives me any grief. I got drawn in by the idea of a closed loop system and thought I’d give it another try.
I’m glad I didn’t. Thank you!
I live with someone who is on the T-slim Control IQ trial, it may be worth considering. There are still issues, but is it WAAAY better than 670g. I can’t feel my fingers anymore I test so much on the 670g.
I gave the 670G a year and a half try, I am so feed up with the sensor problems, They are so far from accurate, and when the pump relies on accurate information to make the insulin adjustments, it ain’t happening right.I am tired of calling Medtronics for assistance, and yes, this would probably be a perfect pump if it was paired to a Dexcom, but Metronic will never allow that, heck, they wouldn’t be able to give their sensors away after that. I am awaken 1-6 times a night with alarms, I haven’t had a good night sleep in 1 1/2 years. Most disturbing is the inaccuracy of the glucose, I can be awaken and says your glucose is less then 40 when it is 162 mg/dl. Once it said my glucose was at 72 and I was about to pass out, and finger stick said 28. Company said it doesn’t shut off until you are less then 50. I’m trying to get the T-Slim only because it pairs with Dexcom, in the past this has been a very reliable sensor.
Michelle
Reading this long after it was posted, but I agree 100% both with the original article and your comments. As a diabetes nurse educator/CDE, I would be very selective to whom I recommended the 670G. As a PWD x 37 years, the technical changes to management have absolutely made my life safer and easier (#nightshiftonNPH). But hands down, my best control (80%TIR) and quality of life has been with Dexcom G5 + Tandem and I can’t wait for my professional trial of the 670 to be done!
This is the worst pump system ever, I have had it for around a month, had maybe one night of full sleep. If its not waking you 3 times to tell you it’s going in to suspend mode, it then goes and tells you that it’s resuming; which you must press 3 buttons each time it goes off. The same if the blood sugar goes high. It’s accuracy of it’s monitor is a joke. Simple is better Medtronics, This pump is a POS. The amount of time to connect to the sensor is pitiful. First you have to reset the transmitter, then pray it connects to the sensor. Animus pump is simple and far superior. Save yourself from having a stressful day everyday, don’t get the Minimed 670g pump. They are oversized; it gets caught on everything and rips out the belt clip; requires a minimums of 3 button press to deliver insulin, or 3 or more time to clear a message, which if you don’t hit it enough it goes off every 5 minutes. Again avoid the hassle pass on the Medtronics line of insulin pumps! As soon as the warranty period is over, I am going to try and find a better Pump system.
Wow! If only I had waited. But I really couldn’t. Roche abandoned the US market and transferred all their ACCU-Chek customers over to Medtronic.
https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/roche-hands-off-remaining-pump-customers-medtronic
My endo suggested the Minimed 670G as a replacement for my ACCU-Chek and Dexcom G5. I started using the 670G in February 2018. I miss my Dexcom G5. The G5 was solid and getting my reading on my iPhone was fantastic. Repeated calls to Medtronic for when the 670G might have this feature leave me feeling like it will never happen.
Downsides of the 670G:
1. Too many finger sticks for calibration of new sensor. Sometimes the devices gets stuck in a loop. I have easily used 20 tests to calibrate a new sensor.
2. Four hours is too time for sensor warm up.
3. The pump/CGMS interface is the only way to operate the pump to accept test data and deliver insulin. Every time I need to eat I have to pull the tubing out from where it’s tucked in.
4. Eating means testing, waiting for the meter to send data to pump, accepting the reading, unlocking the pump, selecting bolus, entering carbs, accepting bolus, selecting deliver.
Upsides of the 670G:
1) The algorithm is solid. A1C has improved.
2) Changing insulin cartridge is easy (although it’s a lot of steps)
3) Changing infusion set is easy
Thank you for sharing your thoughts also, Khurt!
This would have been my third pump, my first the Omnipod, and then I switched to Medtronic because I was dealing with too many occlusions and constant alarms. Being an ER nurse, this made this too cumbersome to deal with when dealing with critically ill patients. My last pump the 670G, I was really excited because its features were coming closer to having an almost natural like external pancreas. I received my pump, couldn’t schedule training for two weeks do to the reps schedule, and then started immediately. My first concern is that the infusion set were causing me a lot of pain to insert (EVERY time, usually some of the time in the past) and were becoming either occluded or dislodge very easily, causing small painful lumps (lipohypertrophy) under my skin. We changed infusion sets to the ones typically used on pregnant women and children (shorter needles and less painful to insert). After this I began to develop SEVERE skin reaction, I noticed blood under the adhesive (which I thought was coming from the site). When I went to change my site because it was too painful there was blood oozing from my injection site abut the adhesive was pulling my skin up too. a large patch of missing skin from where the adhesive was applied . It was so painful, I had to wear a non adhesive bandage so clothing would not rub it and had to take OTC pain medication because I now several lipohypertrophy sites along with patches of missing skin, I was in pain and felt like I was a walking petri dish waiting for an infection to start. Even as a health care professional I was SCARED. We know as diabetics we must be careful for any source of possible infection, especially skin. I contacted Medtronic and we tried different types of adhesives and they all did the same thing, pulled my skin up with removal. I tried using skin prep, alcohol over adhesive to loosen, even Vaseline and vitamin E oil to help loosen to remove but my skin was not liking this adhesive. While I have always had a slight reaction to bandaid adhesives, slightly reddened/itchy but goes away in a few hours, never has it pulled my skin off with it. Eager to still want to try an alternative because Medtronic staff were not medical professionals, I waited until my next appointment with my endocrinologist (unfortunately a little over two months -as we know specialists are very busy and difficult to schedule with) and went back to injections. He advised me based on his assessment and the pictures of the original wounds to stop using the devices (pump and CGM), the risks for infection were too grave. When I advised Medtronics, they told me that it was my not physicians decision to stop it, he ordered it and that they could give me more training. How is more training going to stop me from having a reaction to your adhesives. They would not take their machine back which has only been used for about 1 to 1.5 months as I stopped using it and went back to injections after t=about 4 weeks (mind you my sites were being changed more frequently because of lipohypertrophy and the pain) and they refused to allow me to return my unused supplies (the supplies were still in their original shipping box, unopened) nor the almost $10K+ pump and CGM (that my insurance company only paid a portion of). Their response is that they have a 30-day return policy. In their response to my BBB complaint, they imply their customers are important – how so when I told you my scenario, your 30 day return policy is ridiculous when you don’t train for 2 weeks and my issue was not mechanical but health related, and your only recommendation is to continue to offer me “additional training.” How is additional training going to eliminate the risk for infection? Shame on Medtronics. for being one of those BIG CORPORATE BULLIES. They are more concerned about their bottom line rather then the safety of the patients who use their equipment. I also tried to tell them that I cannot where an insulin pump without a physician to monitor and order the insulin. They still want me to accept more training. BE WARE OF BIG COMPANIES WHO DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR PATIENTS. As a nurse, I took an oath to do no maleficence (to cause no harm or destruction, especially by supernatural means). Perhaps Medtronics if they want to stay in the health care field should take the same oath! I only hope there are not others out there being coerced in this manner.
We are having the same types of constant problems with the 670G pump. I would be really interested if anyone, including us, would like to pursue a class action lawsuit against them. You can contact me at+14026813766, Mike Lynch
Hi Mike. I have also had several of the same problems as others with the 670G. I got it in September 2017, and really wanted it to work well. But, as others experienced,it woke me {and my husband}up at least once every night, had problems with calibration, bad sensors, and I got a rash from the CGM adhesive. I gave up on the CGM, but continue to use the pump, which s OK. In reading others’ stories, I would support a class action lawsuit.
Waited for years for the closed loop. What a let down..
Mike, any traction with this?
I am a Type 1 for 25 years and experienced pump and cgm user. Having the same issues but to an extreme degree that I am losing sensor and communication signal typicaly half of the day. 3 months of not being able to wear a sensor for morethan 3-4 days and the transmitter dying in that time because it is constantly trying to connect.
I must have recorded calls that are more than 5 hours long. Week 3 i tried to return this entire thing and Ive been trying ever since. They continue to refuse to do anything other than replace the unit or transmitter, which has been done and the problem still continues.
I’m more than ready to fight this immoral company.
please let me know….
Crystal 505-918-7648
Hi Everyone,
We understand your frustration and challenges, but it would be best for someone to start their own blog, Facebook page or forum regarding further discussion of a lawsuit.
Have you looked into any unsafe exposures to radiation (even XR’s for your teeth) or unsafe exposures to MR fields? I was doing both daily for work and had three pumps fail, including the 670G, while the old-style 80’s calculator type pump Paradigm had not. Technology is great, but can have its consequences.
I had an issue with the auto mode with the 679G pump. My blood sugar was 40 and I treated my low blood sugar and the pump was giving me insullin because my blood sugar was rising. Had continuous low blood sugars that day sugars at 38 and 40’s. The Medtronic Nurse who trained me on my pump told me that my pump would shut off at 90. It didn’t shut off and had to unplug myself for about 4 hours. I then told her how I disliked the pump and getting insullin with a low blood sugar could kill someone like me who has continuous low blood sugars. It is the absolutely worst system I have ever used. I am terrified this pump will kill me. .
Frankly it’s not medtronics fault if you have an allergy. You were allergic to plasters and didn’t think to trial the adhesives before hand? Seems a bit silly of you to me.
Lawsuits?!……oh man.
Jamie, are you using the 670g? I am kinda thinking you are not. I heard there might be someone out there that was happy with the 670g, but I thought they were a unicorn…
Hey Jamie lets not talk allergies buta piece ofmed.equip.that doesn’t perform as stated. After reading the reviews maybe it’s time foralaw suite before itkills somebody with all the inacuriesies. We’re in Mike
very unhappy with Medtronic 670G…. not so much the pump, but the CGM is GOD Awful. I am in the process of switching it out to a Dexcom G6… I almost feel like my son would benefit more from injections/Dexcom rather than this. He started on it on 1/28 made several complaint calls already , I am waiting for them to say NO and I will flip my lid. Going to Endo this week, going to make a stink there as well and if all else fails, calling my insurance.
I want to weigh in and agree with the BAD reviews of the 670G CGM above! I will add a few additional items:
1) the sensor has lasted 6 days only 3 times in the last 18 months. This makes the CGM 30% more expensive than advertised
2) if the sensor gets blood on it from the insertion site it fails.
3) calibrate between 6 and 8 times a day and follow the calibration with another requested finger prick.
4)I am switching to the Dexcom G6 but can’t change to the T:Slim X2 pump until I switch from UHC to Medicare.apparently UHC has a contract with Medtronic and only covers out of network – very expensive.
5) Bottom line is avoid the 670G CGM. I don’t know how it passed FDA trials!
Seems to be a lot of Medtronics bashing going on here. I have had very little issues with all Medtronics pumps (and I’m on my 4th being 670g) and have found the Guardian 1, 2 and now 3 system relatively solid as far as CGMS goes. Furthermore the new closed loop development is absolutely amazing and a game changer. Good luck coming anywhere close to this level of sophistication with any other Pump.
Ok there’s occasionally issues with bad sensors and more to the point, bad sites and Inperfect sensor insertions, however I have founds Medtronic to stand behind their product and support it for what it is, a great product.
I am very please w operation of 670 g but receiving supplies is terrible. I am on automatic ship and have run out of supplies every month. They are very good about replacing defective parts when you call them! My main problem now is that I am retiring and having to find an insurance co that will pay for the sensor because it is not approved by Medicare so supplement won’t pay for it. I have too much money invested to have to start over! Do any of you have a supplemental insurance that you could recommend.
Very interesting reading all these comments-I am currently researching the 670g and the Tandem.
Heard today that Tandem is getting FDA approval for closed loop with Dexcom within the month. Talked with medtronic today – they claim their Enlite 3s are good now. I’ve wasted thousands on enlites – they just dn work well. The odd time I got one to work and twice tricked it to work for two weeks. The tandem pump doesn’t use batteries – twice my Medtronic has died on flights. And their closed loop uses Dexcom 5 and soon 6 (6months). So be careful with your willingness to test 670G. You may get stuck with it.
My doc wants me to try a pump and cgm. I have been doing shots for 35 yrs. i am not thrilled with the thought of having it stuck in you all the time. I told him i would do my research and think about it. After being on several sites I have decided that this girl is staying with injections. Thanks for all of your reviews.
Glad they were helpful Patty!
I am having all of these same issues with the Medtronic CGM, but pumping is way better than injections and I think most would agree that they would never go back. Lots more freedom with a pump.
Been a type 1 for nearly 25 years. Used minimed exclusively. Got the 670g. Worst pump I’ve ever had. Not only did the cgm create a horrible rash but the pump was VERY large and obtrusive. That was my breaking point. I wanted it to work so bad but sent it back and am sticking with my unwarranted paradigm 751 which is amazing compared to that. I hope they fix this issue. No ones wants a large pump…especially when the cgm doesn’t work and only creates a full body rash.
Have worn a minimed pump for 26 years(except for a couple of years switch to an Animas pump per Dr. request) and wouldn’t want to go back to injections! Have had a fairly normal life on the insulin pump and have recommended them to many people.
Can’t really recommend the CGM though, had the real time transmitter for my 530 and it drove me nuts. I discontinued its use and have been happy with the pump since.
I haven’t seen any evidence that I’d want to try another CGM device though.
I have on a 630g insulin pump. I went on this pump af animas went out of the pump market. The cgm part of this pump sucks. It was only a 6 day sensor only really going 5 days because the 6th day was inaccurate. Their supplies cost an arm and a leg. The directional arrows were only straight up or down. There was no slowly rising arrow. After being on the enlit sensors for a couple of months I went back on my dexcom. I am looking into the tslim in 21months when I will be eligible for a new pump.
I had the Enlite sensors when I first decided to get a CGM. It was awful. It was always inaccurate, and the problem was in the beginning, I was just told to trust the machine. Well, half the time I was either pounding sugar when my glucose wasn’t low, or I was taking insulin when my glucose wasn’t high. I mean, I don’t understand why these developers don’t get that this is life or death for us. Numbers being off can mean the difference between waking up or not. The dexcom is the BEST CGM I have had so far. I have not little to no issues with it. Very user friendly. I need a new pump, but I am not getting this one.
I have had the Medtronic 670g for almost 2 years, in that time my A1c has risen from 6.3 to 7.4. I find that teh CGM portion of teh Guardian system is an absolute failure, it frequently show my BG falling, when, in fact it is rising. Any attempt o adjust it by entering higher BG values ends up with the 670g no accept in the new values and then showing by BG continuing to fall. The inverse is also present, it may show my BG as high >200 when in fact my BG may be <120. The standard Medtronic response is to replace the sensor.
The correct response should be we are giving you back your money and recalling this poorly executed equipment
Ok I’ve been type1 since 1968, so I’ve seen many changes and having used the 670g for a little over a year it has stabilized my bg to a 6.2-6.9 range. I should be happy but as with most posters the sensors and replacement issues suck. Let me say what I think the biggest flaw in the accuracy of the sensors is. The fluid the sensors is testing is not the same fluid the glucometer tests. This is so problematic in my opinion. The glucometer testing is more accurate and changes so much better and quicker. The cgm fluid is called interstitial it’s got different characteristics than finger stick blood.
Why are endocrinologists still recommending the 670G? My son needs a new pump in August, we have always used Medtronic but based on the reviews I think we’ll go with the 630 and stay with Dexcom CGM.
If anyone has very sensitive skin I found a tape called Grif Grips and I do not get itchy or get any red rashes with it and it works great for me.
I have had the 670g for over a year now. It is a Big Fat Fail. I have had a pump for the last 15 years. This one is the worst. The CGM is inaccurate as everyone here has stated. It requires frequent calibrations so your not saving your fingers. 6 Day sensors last about 3 days on average. In the last month mine pump has started saying ” Sensor update in progress, this make take up to 3 hours. ” at day 3, usually in the middle of the night. For the next three hours it will beep and vibrate ever 15 minutes. At the end it says to change the sensor. This is a cumbersome system and not user friendly. When it works properly it is great, unfortunately it only works about 25% of the time. My A1C has also risen on this system. Currently looking for a system to replace it with.
I am currently using the 670g and I actually enjoy using my pump, but I can totally relate to the some of the comments above, so I do understand the frustrations of using this pump and how it can turn someone away from pumping or this particular pumping system, but I also do enjoy how it has helped me take better control of my diabetes and has also helped me to bring my A1C levels down. I have learned how to work with this pump to get more accurate/closer Blood sugar with the Sensor Glucose readings. The only downside to this pump I am having right now is the fact that the meter only connects to 1 meter which is the Contour Next system, I have gone through two Healthcare insurance companies and both have made me get an authorization from my doctor to allow me to use these test strips (which was fine, because they honored the request), but recently my new Healthcare provider is now refusing to pay for these test strips and is asking me to switch to an Accu Check system due to it being a lower cost system. So now I kinda wish Medtronic would build a pump or update their 670g system with Bluetooth accessible Blood Glucose meter systems, where the customer is able to use any meter and it will be able to link to the pump oppose to now having to do everything manually. Also, I do hope they are building a better CGM system that will be more accurate where we will be able to use none to less finger pricks as well. 🙂 Be Blessed!
Thank you for your comment Deondra and for sharing what has been working for you, as well as thoughtful feedback on what could be improved. 🙂
I have had the 670g for about 6 months, The meter it self is great, here is the but. The guardian sensor 3 is the biggest POS possible. If you are looking to buy a meter I wouldn’t buy this as long as it has this sensor. If I went any further explaining my frustration and what a crappy product the Guardian sensor is this would read only with 4 letter words. As soon as I can get a new meter I will and will not be a Medtronics meter as long as it has to hook up
To a guardian.
Hi
Been using insulin pumps since the 80’s. This pump is hobbled by bad software. Just waiting for Tandem to go closed loop.
Reasons: constant alarms, block infusion set alarms requires navigating through too many screens to get back in auto, bg’s required constantly for no reason, too conservative to get blood sugars accurate, menu takes too long to navigate, menu counter intuitive, display from the 1980’s, in strong sunlight display can’t be read, why do I know 1 Mississippi equals 9 carbos, half the support people don’t understand the product
I’m dealing with it by putting in what evers on the screen if I think it doesn’t really need calibration, extra tape on the sensors, keeping hammers out of the house so I don’t smash it.
When driving wondering how other deal with constant alarms, max or min flows when bg is normal is just plain stupid
in over 30 years this is the worst pump I’ve used.
Wow, lots of dissenters here.
I’ve been using the pump for about 1.5 yrs and my A1C has dropped to 6.3. I’m thrilled. Do I have to get finger sticks still? Yes. 2x/day, except for on Sundays when I initially calibrate the new sensor or when I let my BG go way out of control (e.g. over 250 for a few hrs). The alarms can be obnoxious for sure, but again, my control is a TON better because I’m paying attention, not ignoring it. I’m also learning foods that are not as good for my BG because they sky-rockeet me and make it that much harder to get down into the control realm.
There are a few things here that I have to admit to though.
1. The menus need help.
2. There needs to be an improvement in logic. For instance, though solid overall, how obnoxious that I can be entering a BG from a finger poke, and while adjusting the numbers, the alarm for “you’re high” will go off and interrupt the entry! I mean “duh” wait for me to finish! There are a few other things like that which need maturity for sure.
3. The “Closed Loop” system needs to be sold and understood differently.
They don’t advertise this as a mechanized pancreas. There was a sort of funny comment from an RN here that wanted this / expected this. This makes no sense. The pancrease works from information WAY early during the digestive process to get insulin into the system nearly immediately. The pump is using old data ( the fluids measured by ANY CGM is always going to be minutes old) and has no way of measuring carbs – it can only measure the resulting rise in BG due to excess carbs. HUGE difference. At BEST, any CGM related pump could be reactionary. Your BG is rising, it can tell that, so it starts adding insulin. How much? No idea. How high is it going to go? No idea. It can’t do predictive analysis to determine that it’s Halloween Night and you just swallowed 2 lbs of chocolate and caramel. Your pancreas can see this in near real time, but not the pump. So “closed loop” does not “pancreas replacement” make.
I like to look at it differently. If you can GET your BG between 90 and 150 modestly stable, the closed loop will KEEP it there. I’ve gone for HOURS without having to pay attention to my pump, even up to a full day, and I can be moving around, resting, whatever, sleeping, and my BG stays level, except for the normal waking “sugar rush” which I compensate for (about 8 carbs worth) and any meals.
And it does stop delivery of the basil if you drop. That’s a setting, for those who complained about that.
And my blood tests DO end up very close. Well, unless it’s rising really fast or dropping really fast. Again, this makes sense, because the fluids it’s measuring are NOT the same as blood. It’s like the difference between a vein draw of blood (shows what’s happening now) vs finger poke (shows what’s happening just a few moments ago, because it takes a bit of time to get blood to your fingers) vs a blood draw from your calves (which will show what happened maybe a few minutes ago, because the circulation just isn’t as fast). The fluids being measured ARE slightly behind your blood.
So the other CGM models are doing predictive analysis. Good for them, but I guarantee they’ll be off at times too. And yes, it’s frustrating to get a poke 2x/day when some boast of never. But for those who are never getting pokes, what are your A1C’s? Hmmm. How often are you low? High?
All I’m saying is that though this is a bit awkward, it DOES work, and work well. Again, I’ve been using it for 1.5 yrs, and so far, VERY few incidents. Almost every one of my CGM’s has lasted for 7 full days, and my sights for the infusions – they’re lasting on average 6-7 days as well! Don’t tell!
It’s not all bad news. And for ME, the BEST pump I’ve ever had. NOTE: I’m not rich enough to test every pump on the market, so this isn’t entirely a fair review or comparison, but I’m NOT complaining about my 6.3 A1C. Prior to this pump, my A1C was 9.3. Yes, that’s also pre-CGM to be perfectly fair. This is the first CGM I’ve used.
Wow, I don’t even need to count the 670g dissenters here to understand how people feel about the 670g. I’ve been using the Tslim G4 with Dexcom CGM for 4 years now and when I asked for a new replacement pump recommendation from my Dr. he told me hands down the Tslim X2 with the Dexcom G6 was the one. Unfortunately I have UHC and this year they signed an exclusive contract with Medtronic. I love my current Tslim G4, but as many of you know 4 years on a pump and its seen its day in the sun. I have had no issues with my Tslim G4 or the Dexcom G4 which I’ve found to be very accurate and requiring very little attention. I had Medtronic with enlite CGM before my Tslim and found the sensor to never stick properly, always be way off the mark, and constantly having to calibrate it. It sounds like they’ve made no improvements with the 670g and CGM or even made things worse. I may have to change insurance plans just to get the Tslim or pay out of pocket, because it sounds like the 670g is really just good intentions and bad execution. Why did United Healthcare have to lock us into a one choice, the Medtronic 670g. I guess I’ll stick with my Tslim G4 with Dexcom G4 for now, I’m not going to waste my precious time with the 670g system especially if it constantly exits auto mode, isn’t dependable or accurate, and requires 4-6 finger sticks a day when the Dexcom 6 usually not one finger stick.
I have a 670G with G3 transmitter. For the first couple of months things were working fine with sensors. Now I’ve been having issues for the past few weeks where the sensor is giving BGs 70 md/dL or below and I’m stable between 110 and 170 mg/dL using my glucometer. Calibration not accepted is happening frequently as a result which results in having to replace the sensor… haven’t been able to stay on one sensor for more than 2 days. Really frustrating. Medtronic has been helpful with sensor replacements but it appears like something has changed.
OK, so I’m in the United Health Care “prison” of no pump except Minimed (that alone should be illegal – no choices for what we pay for health insurance? seriously?!). So my old Medtronic pump was working fine enough until it broke. I like the Dexcom G6. Sounds like I should buy the 630G WITHOUT using their CGM, and keep using my G6. Any comments or recommendations?
Just received my new 670G pump today. Have not started on it but have been using Medtronic pumps for 17 years now. Never had any problems with the pumps themselves.
Did try the Enlite CGM system with my 551 pump and hated it. The Enlite system never did work properly so after about 6 months fighting with it I gave up. The pump worked great with me manually entering my BGs for insulin amounts to program into the pump. Have been using Dexcom G6 for almost 1 year along with my Medtronic pump. I love it. I recommend using Medtronic pump with Dexcom G6 CGM. It is not that hard to manually enter a BG off the Dexcom reading.
I hate this thing SO MUCH!!!!
I’ve had it a year and it’s continually disconnecting. CGM is 100 points off at some points.
How do I switch this pump. I have had so many issues and so many promises that they will fix it.
I HATE IT.
3rd Medtronic pump. Returning impossible because no one knows how it will work. When sensor works, not to bad except trying to sleep. My sensor hasn’t worked 90% of the time. I’ve replaced sensor 3ctimes in one day. My insurance bought, but I would like to return. So glad for a pump, but cgm doesnt work. Starting 51st yr of diabetes.
I started on the 670G in Jan. 2018 and because it was advertised as the first closed-loop automatic system I thought it was finally what I was waiting for since being Type 1 for over 38 years. Coming from twice daily shots and never using a CGM or pump before there were many benefits to the 670G that I have experienced beyond their selling factor of the first fully automated system and as the nurse above said the first ‘artificial pancreas’.
After using it for almost two years now it is not all it is advertised to be. My glucose is now in better control than it ever has been, but that is more due to now learning how my body reacts and how much certain foods raise my BG and for how long. My A1C did go down but the 670G is hard-coded that a 120 BG number is optimal so I am not sure how people can get an A1C under 7 if using the 670G in auto-mode.
I did use the pump in non auto-mode for a while when the sensors were sold out and almost died due to the CGM being so far off that my lows were way beyond safe and I was fading in an out while driving. The Guardium CGM is a POS.. and I have never used any other CGM to compare it to, but the hassle it adds to this unit is too bad because in this day we should be able to configure almost everything and rely on the electronics it is based on to give us accurate readings.
I use a One-Touch meter to calibrate and it is always reading 20 – 30 points higher than what the CGM says. I don’t want to be consistently higher or lower than what I really am and 20 – 30 points is significant over the long term so calibration almost seems futile if it is never correct.
The poster that mentioned that the unit is bulky and having no other way to check it outside of unhooking it from your belt to view the screens when they are alerting you or quickly going to a buzzing and then alarm mode is just a stupid design. The injection spots for the sensors and infusion kit do cause problems if they are not rotated around, but that is the same issue you would have if were still taking shots. The time to recharge the transmitter and two+ hour warm-up is a joke, but not having any experience with other pumps or CGMs, I cannot say if any are easier to use.
I am happy with the system simply because I feel that it has changed my life for the better… even if it is just me thinking that and the CGM and pump are actually letting me down more often and giving me a roller-coaster ride of blood sugars. I have wanted to throw the pump at a wall many times and it is not even close to the closed loop system and artificial pancreas I expected could be produced in 2017+ levels of electronics and AI that could be built into such a system. I will review other options until the warranty is up and expect many other company’s releases to be better, more adjustable and user friendly and better priced… competition breeds improvements and for the first system of its type I am accepting its faults and trying to make it work until something better comes along.
I typed this and almost clicked the X to close the window without sending because my story is a mix of much of what people have said on ths page.. so if you are in bad BG control and want something that will help make that better (not perfect or even close, but better) then the 670G or possibly the new 780G is a good choice.
If I could take a redo I would probably have done the same thing and went with the 670G in early 2018, but I am eagerly waiting on the many new offerings coming out in the near future and expect every one to have learned from the mistakes of the first and be a better system.
And just after I sent this I heard the 670G alarm go off and it is showing a blood sugar reading of Low and 63 with one down arrow..
I just took a BS from my OneCheck Verio and it says 91, so what everyone says is exactly true, try your best but are never really sure if it is ever correct, you are just more aware of how this system is frequently off. But without it I would have never known or even checked my BS so it just promotes more awareness.
Had this pump about 4 months now, progressed from the last Minimed Paradigm and Contour Link meter.
I don’t use the sensors and never had cause I couldn’t get over the error margins in the technical documents before wasting the money. Glad I didn’t based on what is here.
This pump and meter combo has literally a few good things relative to the Paradigm models.
– uses AA instead of AAA batteries (lasts much longer)
– can use NiMH batteries if recharged recently, and they last just as long.
– Can specify a faster rate of delivery (superficial feature but I prefer it)
– USB rechargeable tester.
Other then that the entire pump system is a massive step backwards.
– Menu system is horrible and slow to navigate.
– Bolus history is hard to get to and doesn’t supply half the information you want, the old pump did.
– Lock screen that is totally unnecessary and wastes your time (cannot be disabled) The lock screen also prevents you from doing actions from memory quickly. I’m not saying I don’t look at the pump when I use it but often your fingers do most of the work from memory without needing to focus so much on it.
– Issue a Bolus takes 3x longer.
– Tester takes twice as long to test with (still has a 5 second count down but it has to “boot up” each time and show pretty splash screens)
– Tester often doesn’t communicate to the pump, or takes 20 seconds or so to do this, I rarely wait anymore and manually enter the glucose reading, its actually less time.
– Menu Highlight is a slight yellowing of the white text, so much fun to navigate having had eye issues already, I have not seen such a subtle highlight on any device, least on one for people who are known to have eye issues over time.
– Suspend/resume takes too long to do due to the horrible menus, I simple don’t bother anymore when I shower or workout, I just take it off and it seeps out a bit for 30 – 60 minutes.
– Pump REQUIRES you to accept the blood sugar test from the meter by pressing multiple buttons. WHY?!? You’ve connected the meter to the pump, is there any reason for requiring this step?
– YOUR BLOOD SUGAR IS HIGH warning. I DETEST this stupid ass warning message. We all know what a high and low blood sugar number is. So you get a high number. The meter transmits it to the pump. The pump makes you accept it by clicking multiple buttons, Then it warns you, which requires you to scroll the long warning message to the bottom and click “OK”. Then you go to bolus, then you get ANOTHER WARNING message your blood sugar is high, which requires you to scroll and OK again.
– Your blood sugar is LOW warning. Why are you prompting me to BOLUS, just to warn me again that I should not be doing a bolus.
– No options to turn off or modify any of the items discussed above.
– Screen orientation is not great, the tubing should not be coming out the top of the pump, it makes it hard to hold it away from your body to read and operate it cause the line is now stretching away from your body.
I swear no actual diabetic test drove this pump and had any actual say on how it operates.
Darren, thank you for your thorough review – both positive and challenging aspects. I’m seriously wondering if I’ve made a mistake in staying with medtronic. I needed to upgrade my pump as the old one is having issues, but this sounds pretty darn annoying.
DO NOT buy this product! I have had it for 10 months the sensor is absolute trash! Medtronic rushed to get this on the market. The pump it self works fine, but considering the sensor is the motor of the whole operation and it rarely works well, then this CGM rarely works. I’m not even talking about when it is working and you have to poke your finger 7 or 8 times a day. The pump and the sensor stop talking all the time, because of this it constantly interrupts my sleep. I had my blood sugar under better control when I was taking shots and had the Free Style Libre monitor. Maybe the 770 will be better but please save your sanity and don’t buy this!
I’ve been Diabetic for 57 years. Been pumping for 30 and been on every pump made including some that have gone out of business. I used to love the old Minimed pumps. They were built like a tank and worked and had great customer service. I tried the 670G when it came out and was the worst decision I have ever made. The Guardian sensor is garbage and never got to sleep due to the alarms. My A1C actually went up. Tried to return the Medtronic and they refused and I don’t have insurance so I’m still making payments on it. A year ago I bought a Tandem T-Slim and the Dexcom G6 and absolutely love it! My A1C has gone down 2 points and much better control and I sleep at night. I only finger tick once a day to make sure the Dexcom is accurate and it’s usually within 5 to 10 points not 100 like the Guardian. I’ve already got the Tandem paid off because they have a much better financial program but have 2 more years to pay on the 670G. Medtronic has become a horrible company. I will never buy another Medtronic pump, ever!
I wish I could go back to the Medtronic 530G with threshold suspend. The 670G has been a headache with all the BGs needed to keep it in “Auto” – even with the transmitter upgrade. Too many “BG required”, “Wait to enter BG” “Sensor updating” prompts. Blood strips are Tier 3 with my insurance also ($$$). Not exactly the smallest or lightest pump either.
The 670G has been a good pump for me but the CGM’s have been a nightmre. I have gone through 4 in just over a year. Today, my CGM quit communicating with my pump. I was at my endo and she had Medtronic call me. The lady starts talking insurance with me and I told her I wasn’t paying for another worthless CGM. She said my warranty ran out less than a month ago and I would have to pay for a new one. I told her I wasn’t going to pay for a CGM that keeps going out. I had a supervisor call me back and she is going to see if she can get me a new sensor. Don’t waster your time. They do’t have all of the kinks worked out of the pump/CGM.
My daughter has the 670G. She ditched the Guardian CGM and got a Dexcom. When I say the difference is night and day, I mean pitch black can’t see your hand in front of your face and practically standing on the sun. The Medtronic sensor was nothing but trouble from day 1 and the Dexcom G6 has been perfect since day 1. The G6 doesn’t talk to the pump, but neither did the Guardian since it rarely worked correctly. Get a G6.
I hardly ever go online to bad mouth anything,but this could simply be between life or death….To start,this is a horrible,horrible,horrible machine…My fiance and her sister both have this horrendous machine and it’s almost killed them both…Either not detecting when sugar is high or low or staying suspended when needing to be on…The “people” who help set up the pump seem to know nothing other than how to fill the pump and how to insert into skin….The T-slim my fiance had was so much more beneficial…If you can bypass this hunk of junk please by all means do so…
I don’t find the 670G pump alone completely horrible. Nor do I find the sensor wildly inaccurate. However, put them together and apply Minimed’s execution of auto mode and the sum is so much worse than the parts. Not sure I can handle the remaining time in-warranty before moving to Tandem/Dexcom.
I have had the 670G for just over a month – even though it took three 1/2 weeks to get trained, I can’t return it (now that I know it is the worst mistake of my 35+ years of diabetes) and am still paying $1400 for it after insurance. Since starting this horrorshow, I have had multiple incidents of my monitor reading 80 and my sensor reading 40. That’s a glitch you can die from. I ping-pong between 40 and 300+ because you need to confirm your bolus multiple times and if you are doing anything else, you won’t know it didn’t go through and you’ll only find out an hour later when you’ve skyrocketed.
The pump is also significantly bigger and heavier than previous pumps (I used to be able to wear it in my bra – I no longer can and would be facing 4 years of not being able to wear a dress). It takes me 14 clicks to bolus… combined with the constant alarms that keep you from sleeping through the night, constant calibration and the ridiculous layout of the screens, I am SELLING MY CAR to get the Tandem/Dexcom combo – because it’s life or death for me.
I have had the 670 g for over a year and it has been a disaster. Sleepless nights, multiple fingerpricks daily which are generally not in the same ballpark as the readings on the pump, very complicated to use. To add insult to injury the belt clip is impossible for me to use. My husband is able to put the clip on my machine and then remove it later but my hands are not strong enough. I have used Medtronic pumps and sensors for many years and they were easy to use and provided good results. The only drawback that I found was the Medtronic pumps prior to 670g were not waterproof and therefore could stop working in very hot humid weather leading to excessive perspiration. In spite of this I may return to a previous style pump or the Tandem/ Dexcom.
I’ve been using this pump for a year and it operates fine. My biggest issue with this pump is the reality of wearing it. It has this very thin aggregating clip that’s good for essentially nothing. If you so much as touch it with a feather or take a deep breath near it the pump falls off and then it’s just hanging there and sometimes ripping the site off. Calling Medtronic is useless because they apparently are just having people on hold for 45 minutes and then dropping the calls. I don’t know who thought this clip was a good idea but they might have considered wearing it for a while first.