When there is no arrow on your Dexcom, it indicates that more glucose readings are needed to establish your current trend.
The trend arrow typically tells you the speed and direction of your glucose level. Without enough recent data points, the system cannot accurately determine this trend.
Reasons for a Missing Trend Arrow:
- Insufficient Data: The primary reason for the absence of a trend arrow is that the Dexcom system requires additional glucose readings to accurately calculate and display your current glucose trend.
- New Sensor Session: This situation most often occurs when you begin a new sensor session. The device needs time to gather a foundational set of data from the newly applied sensor.
What to Expect When the Arrow Is Missing:
- Temporary State: The lack of an arrow is a temporary condition. It simply means the system is in the process of accumulating the necessary data.
- Automatic Display: Your trend arrow is designed to display automatically after the system collects a few additional glucose readings. There is generally no action required on your part other than continuing to use your Dexcom system as usual.
This temporary absence of an arrow is a normal part of the data collection process, particularly during the initial phase of a sensor's use.
