Type 1 Libre 2 algorithm vs Shuggah /x-drip algorithm

[Paulaah]

Hi all. Hoping someone with some experience of this tech can offer some thoughts.

In the settings of the Shuggah app there’s an option to use the blue tooth raw data from the Libre 2 but apply it to the x-drip (who make Shuggah, I gather), algorithm. When you use this option you have to calibrate occasionally …. I’ve read up on the best way and time to calibrate - steady period of bs and when in range and not to “milk” finger, in their official notes.

Or alternatively you can just opt out and rely on the bluetooth info being processed by the libre algorithm and sent to the Shuggah app.

My diabetes is going through quite a tricky spell currently ( think 52 and perimenopause, ). My background and my ratios change very suddenly and very regularly so like a few other contributors on here it means diving into the toolbox at every meal to decide which ratio, and I can get it either very right or very wrong. When it’s wrong it can rise or fall suddenly.

I find the Libre’s own algorithm to be quite sudden and overreaching so it spooks me and gives me anxiety. When I finger prick to corroborate the picture is rarely as sudden or drastic as the libre is saying.

So in short,from your experience, my question is , how does the Shuggah algorithm differ in performance and do you think it would be sensible and safe to try it or would it lead me up the garden path even more. Because after 4 years of libre, at least I know it’s quirks.

Thanks in anticipation.

Paula.

 

[Deleted member 527103]

@Paulaah sorry to read you are struggling a little.
I am not sure what you mean by "sudden and overreaching". Do you mean it over-reports when high?

I never used Shuggah but I used xDrip for a long time. I found one of the biggest benefits of xDrip was the ability to calibrate it with finger pricks. This gave me a lot more confidence that the readings were mine rather than how an average guy in the factor would react.
It didn't overly fatten the curve - all CGMs are designed to be most accurate at "normal" numbers so can over-report when high (and under-report when low). This is why is recommended to check all highs and lows before correcting (unless you are having an obvious hypo).

I am not sure that will help with your anxiety. But I would definitely recommend the xDrip calibration for peace of mind.

 

[Paulaah]

Thanks for your reply In Response, and for your insight.

To expand, What can happen is I go from a straight across arrow to straight down without a sideways downwards inbetween so there’s no warning and it stays doing that for ages and the number keeps dropping. That’s not so bad in some situations. but for example if I’m out walking my dog on say 8.9 with straight down arrow, I stop to do blood test. The blood result is never as bad, but I wait until my blood is definitely stable until a make a decision on what to do eg put in a bit of carb or continue because it’s actually steady and not dropping. In the meantime the libre is saying straight down arrow on diminishing numbers.

It just really spooks me and takes the pleasure out of the walk or whatever activity.

Also I get straight up arrows when I stand up and straight down arrows when I sit down. But if my insulin is on peak I don’t know if that’s real or the algorithm- so I do another blood test.

I’ve calmed down with it a lot, but it still messes with my head.

 

[Paulaah]

I should add that the reason it spooks me is that my ratios and background are often so changeable as I mentioned, so for example last week I was doing 1:12 all week for lunch (same lunch every day, same activity) but then suddenly it’s changed to 1:20. In terms of units of insulin that’s a lot different as I’m sensitive to insulin and have a half unit pen. (Novorapid).

My background (Tresiba) requirements have also changed this week dropping from 15 to 14. So I’m always in a state of flux and need to be tracking what’s happening.

My consultant is aware and says I’m doing really well.