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Libre reads lower on right arm

Tron2112

Tron2112

Well-Known Member
Messages
67
Location
Co Antrim
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
T diagnosed [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]. UK resident. Self-funding libre sensors since [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]].

I alternate arms when a sensor ends. Over the past six months I’ve noticed that I get lower reads when I apply the sensor to my right arm. Time in range goes over [emoji[emoji6][emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]%. When I use my left arm reads go up and time in range drops as low as [emoji[emoji6]][emoji[emoji6][emoji6]]% ([emoji6][emoji6]% at Christmas!)

Anyone else get something similar?
 
Type two diagnosed thirteen years ago. Self-funding libre two sensors for the past two years. Right arm readings are lower than left arm by a noticeable margin.
 
Tron2112 said:
Why does my post look so strange?
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It’s a forum glitch, it often happens if posting from the app or on Tapatalk. You’ve done nothing wrong
 
Tron2112 said:
Type two diagnosed thirteen years ago. Self-funding libre two sensors for the past two years. Right arm readings are lower than left arm by a noticeable margin.
Click to expand...
I have used Libres in the past (now use Dexcoms). I always used them on my left arm as I consistently sleep on my right. Sorry it doesn’t answer your question but thought I should reply as I’d replied to your comment about the glitch.
 
Rachox said:
I have used Libres in the past (now use Dexcoms). I always used them on my left arm as I consistently sleep on my right. Sorry it doesn’t answer your question but thought I should reply as I’d replied to your comment about the glitch.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rachox, I knew about how sleeping on sensor can reduce reads dramatically after waking up one morning and finding my reads had tanked several times one night.

The lower reads on my right arm happen throughout the day, not just at night when I’m sleeping. I get **** near normal fasting reads, fours and low fives and spikes are more like gentle slopes. I feel like a diabetes management queen! Then I swap to left arm and all goes to pot for two weeks.

Any theories? Maybe one arm has more fat than the other? Left arm is nearer the heart?
 
I have the opposite problem: sensors on my left arm are usually lower (I alternate).

I wondered if it’s because I’m right handed and therefore have slightly more muscle in my right arm?

Are you @Tron2112 left handed by any chance?

Another possible reason is the way I use my right hand to place the sensor on my left arm in a slightly different position (than I use my left hand to place it on my right arm)?

Basically, I don’t really know
 
Interesting to read this as I also alternate and find readings on the right to be lower. I’ve also had overnight issues of waking during the night with low readings when the sensor is on the right and now it seems I’m probably laying on it. When I double check on the finger pricker they are very very different and not low at all.
 
Another sensor attached to the right arm and instantly lower reads. Currently running at 4.8 (last meal was about 4 hours ago). I'm normal!

Another thing I've noticed about right arm sensor placement - I'm more likely to lose Bluetooth connection. When it's on my left arm I rarely have to scan for a read, only if I get away from my phone and out of range (doesn't happen often!). Whereas the right arm is more likely to lose connection even when I'm sitting right next to my phone.

@Ledzeptt thanks for your reply - I wondered too if it is because I'm right-handed and so I apply the sensor in a different manner when using my left hand? I don't know either!
 
Another thing I thought of today - I have a rotator cuff strain in my right shoulder and it's been there about six months. That's about the time when I started noticing very low reads. I wonder if the inflammation in that shoulder is diluting my interstitial fluid and lowering my reads artificially. That could be why it's only happening when the sensor is on my right arm?
 
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