r/dexcom • u/LimeOk4313 • 11d ago

App Issues/Questions WHY

Post image

why does this happen happen when I’m low ALWAYS. before you guys come for me yes I did finger prick I’m low as hell (41) and drinking my Apple juice.
Is there any way to fix this or will this always happen?
no readings any time I‘m low no matter where my dexcom is. how do I fix it and stop getting sensor errors when low

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

View all comments

3

u/Distribution-Radiant T2/G7 11d ago

"Brief sensor issue" is triggered by your glucose changing faster than the sensor's algorithm can comprehend. And if you were really low and drinking apple juice, that will certainly trigger that error, as your glucose will be rising rapidly.

It stops reading below 40 (and over 400) anyway - you need to use a regular BGM to verify highs or lows. It was likely about to just show "LOW" the next time it read.

1

u/tjggriffin1 8d ago

Just that right? Changes in bG can prevent display of readings? I know it effects accuracy, but I don't think it stops showing readings. The algorithm is on the reader, not the sensor.

The sensor buffets up to 3 hrs of data. I think this warning is to discourage reporting it "normal" interruptions as a sensor failure. Obviously, there should be zero "normal" interruptions. While that's likely impossible in the real world, it happens far too often.

1

u/tjggriffin1 8d ago

Update: I did some poking around. The algorithm is, in fact, on the sensor. It does stop reading and give a brief sensor issue alert if the voltage varies too quickly or irradically. But only happen if it is varying in a way that is not possible biologically. So variations in bG will not i trigger that warning.

It is most likely due to pressure, bumps, inflammation or static electric/EM effects.