If your Dexcom reading is too high, it's essential to determine if this reflects your actual blood glucose level or a potential sensor discrepancy, and then take appropriate action based on your findings.
Understanding High Dexcom Readings
High blood glucose (hyperglycemia) can be caused by various factors, including food, stress, illness, activity levels, or insufficient medication. Your Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) provides real-time insights, but it's crucial to know when to trust the reading and when to investigate further.
Immediate Steps for a High Reading
When you see a high Dexcom reading, especially if it's unexpected or significantly elevated, follow these steps:
- Confirm with a Fingerstick Blood Glucose Meter: This is the most crucial first step. A traditional blood glucose meter (BGM) reading from a fingerstick provides a real-time measurement of your blood glucose.
- If the meter reading matches the Dexcom reading (or is very close): This indicates your blood sugar is genuinely high.
- If the meter reading is significantly different: This suggests a potential sensor accuracy issue.
- Assess Your Symptoms: Are you experiencing symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision)? Your symptoms can help confirm if the reading is accurate.
- Take Action Based on Your Diabetes Management Plan:
- Follow your healthcare provider's (HCP) instructions for correcting high blood sugar. This may involve administering insulin, increasing fluid intake, or engaging in light physical activity (if safe).
- Review recent food intake, medication doses, and activity levels that might explain the high reading.
- Monitor Closely: Continue to monitor your Dexcom readings to see if your blood glucose levels begin to trend downwards after taking action.
When Your Dexcom Reading is Consistently Higher Than Your Meter
While occasional discrepancies between your Dexcom sensor and a fingerstick meter can occur (CGMs measure interstitial fluid, not blood, leading to a slight lag), a persistent and significant difference needs attention.
Troubleshooting Dexcom Discrepancies
If you observe that your Dexcom readings are consistently higher than your blood glucose meter values, especially over several hours, and the difference is always more than 30%, consider the following:
- Sensor Placement: Ensure the sensor is applied correctly in an approved site. Improper placement can affect accuracy.
- Compression Lows: If you're lying on the sensor, it can temporarily impede interstitial fluid flow, causing inaccurate (often lower, but sometimes erratic) readings.
- Dehydration: Severe dehydration can impact CGM accuracy.
- Medications: Certain medications (like acetaminophen/paracetamol) can interfere with some CGM sensors. Check your Dexcom model's specifications.
- Sensor Age: Sensors can become less accurate towards the end of their wear period.
When to Contact Support or Your Healthcare Provider
If you have watched your Dexcom readings over several hours and they are consistently higher (or consistently lower) than your meter values, always showing more than a 30% difference, it's time to seek further assistance.
- Submit a Product Support Request: Contact Dexcom product support to report the issue. They can help troubleshoot or determine if a sensor replacement is needed.
- Reach Out to Your Healthcare Provider (HCP): Your doctor, diabetes educator, or endocrinologist can provide guidance on managing your blood sugar and advise on any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan based on confirmed high readings or persistent sensor inaccuracies. They can also help determine if a sensor is faulty or if there's an underlying reason for the persistent discrepancy.
General Considerations for High Blood Sugar
- Follow Your Treatment Plan: Always adhere to the diabetes management plan developed with your healthcare team.
- Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is important for overall health and can sometimes help with managing blood sugar levels.
- Recognize Patterns: If you frequently experience high Dexcom readings, discuss these patterns with your HCP. They can help identify triggers and adjust your medication or lifestyle recommendations.
