Understanding Your Lingo Count
Before you can change your Lingo count, you must understand what it represents. Lingo Count is a proprietary metric within the Abbott Lingo biowearable experience, which uses a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and a mobile app. It measures the size and duration of glucose spikes detected by the sensor throughout the day. The app aggregates these individual spike values into a total daily Lingo Count, and your goal is to stay below a personalized daily target. The app’s algorithm automatically adjusts your target each week based on your performance, pushing you towards lower overall glucose exposure over time. However, the Lingo app also provides options for manual adjustments to better suit your personal needs and goals.
How to Change Your Lingo Count Target in the App
Manually adjusting your Lingo Count target is a straightforward process handled entirely within the Lingo mobile app. The option becomes available after your first week, allowing the app to first establish a personalized baseline for you. If you find your target too challenging or not challenging enough, you can make changes at any time.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open the Lingo App: Launch the application on your smartphone.
- Navigate to the "You" Tab: This tab, often represented by a profile icon, is where you can access your personal settings.
- Tap "Profile": Within the "You" tab, select the "Profile" option to view and manage your account information.
- Find and Tap "Adjust": Locate the "Lingo Count Target" section within your profile settings and tap the "adjust" button.
- Use the +/- Buttons: You will see plus (+) and minus (-) buttons to increase or decrease your target count. The valid range for adjustment is between 20 (most challenging) and 105 (least challenging).
- Tap "Save": Once you've set your desired target, tap "Save" to apply the changes. Your new target will be active immediately.
How to Remove Lingo Count from an Individual Spike
Occasionally, a Lingo count spike may be inaccurate, perhaps caused by external factors like sustained pressure on the biosensor or extreme temperature changes. The app provides a feature to remove these individual spikes to maintain the accuracy of your overall data. This is different from adjusting your overall daily target.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open Your Lingo Graph: Tap on the glucose graph in the app where you see the spike you want to remove.
- Tap the Specific Spike: Select the purple shaded area on your graph that corresponds to the inaccurate spike.
- Access the Removal Option: A menu will appear. Look for and tap the "Remove Lingo Counts" option.
- Follow the Prompts: The app will guide you through confirming the removal. You can also re-add the count if you remove it by mistake.
Comparison: Adjusting Target vs. Removing a Spike
| Feature | Adjusting Target | Removing a Spike |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To set a personal daily goal for glucose spikes based on your lifestyle and health journey. | To correct for inaccurate data points caused by sensor errors or non-food factors. |
| Scope | Affects your overall daily goal for all future counts, from 20 to 105. | Affects a single, specific data point in your history, removing its contribution to the daily total. |
| Timing | Can be done at any time after the first week of use. | Must be done within a specific time window before the spike data is locked for calculations. |
| Location | Profile settings in the "You" tab. | Directly on the glucose graph view of the specific spike. |
Best Practices for Managing Your Lingo Count
- Log Your Events: Actively log what may have caused a glucose spike, such as a meal, exercise, or a stressful situation. This helps you understand the patterns in your data.
- Consider Exercise Spikes: The Lingo app automatically excludes spikes caused by exercise from your Lingo Count, especially if you log the activity. Make sure to log your workouts for accurate data.
- Reflect and Learn: Don't just react to the numbers. Use the data to identify what works for your body. For instance, notice how certain foods or activities correlate with your spikes.
- Adjust Gradually: The Lingo app's default behavior is to guide you toward lower glucose exposure gradually. Consider this a long-term journey rather than a quick fix.
- Stay Informed: For additional information on how Lingo functions, you can refer to the official Lingo website, which provides detailed articles and support resources.
Conclusion
While the Abbott Lingo app uses a sophisticated algorithm to set and manage your Lingo Count, it also empowers you with the tools to take control. You can manually adjust your daily target to align with your personal metabolic health journey or remove erroneous data points to ensure accuracy. By utilizing these features and practicing mindful tracking, you can leverage the Lingo app to its full potential, transforming your understanding of your body's glucose responses and fostering healthier habits over time.
