I just started using a Dexcom G6 CGM and wonder if anyone else out there has experienced the same problem I have. This morning, after getting out of the shower, I noticed that the adhesive that holds the sensor in place was bloody. I dabbed it with a paper towel and it was stained, as well. But I decided to keep the sensor in place because 1) it was still transmitting BG results to the receiver and the iPhone app, and 2) because I didn’t want to waist a receiver that I had just inserted the day before, considering the cost, etc. Has anyone else had a same or similar experience?
1 Like
I too have had small amount of blood come up into the sensor after insertion. It doesn’t appear to make any difference in readings from the sensor.
As a side note, going back 2016 I have always used a piece of Tegaderm film to cover sensors as I never fully believed that the sensor are fully water proof.
1 Like
Thanks. The adhesive has dried, meaning that I am not continuing to bleed, so it must have been a temporary thing. But I will take your advice and use an over-patch to make sure the sensor stays put.
In the past year (36 sensors) I have had bleeding with 3 sensors, very much like you describe.
The blood on the surface does not seems to affect the sensor at all, the readings work fine, perhaps because the sensor goes much further under the skin.
Thanks so much for your reply. It does make me feel better that I kept the sensor on as the blood has not interfered with the sensor and the BG readings continue unabated.
Happens periodically. I’ve found it can cause some erratic readings in the 1st 24hrs, then it settles down. Keeping it going is generally the right call, but if it’s really irritating you contact Dexcom and they’ll replace it. They’re pretty easy about that.
Thanks so much for all your help. I feel much better about my decision to keep the sensor going.
Huh. I got my first bloody insert yesterday. I thought I’d seen a lot of feedback on here that sensors didn’t work when they bleed, so called Dexcom, and they sent a new sensor. My third one in two weeks. I’m having a bad Dex month . :-\
I’m gonna have fun explaining why I’ve got a black as night bruise that’s bigger than my fist.
Even though Dexcom is willing to replace the sensor, I’ve decided to keep it since it’s working and I’m getting glucose readings on the receiver and the iPhone app. I will watch for more bleeding and will call Dexcom, if necessary.
I’ve had it happen occasionally on the G6, G5 and G4 sensors. I never replace it unless the readings are inaccurate or the site is tender. I think it’s inevitable you’re going to hit a capillary now and again with a CGM sensor, infusion set or injection needle. Unfortunately, it’s just part of the territory.
1 Like
Its very rare for me to get a sensor that doesn’t bleed and it always makes me nervous. I usually try to keep them on and see if they work and they are usually okay. If there is too much blood the sensor will either tell you it failed or will be really, really off (like 50 points+ different from a monitor) Dexcom is awesome with sending replacements if you call them and tell them about the bleeding though. I usually get them in a few days.
We complain when our sensors bleed and we complain when our finger sticks don’t bleed enough. Our bodies must really think we are all nuts. 
4 Likes
How true! I think we all have to be just a little nuts to be willing to daily subject ourselves to the vagaries of blood glucose testing. Who better to understand this than a 56-years-and-counting Diabetic.
I’ve been using Dexcom sensors for 11 years now. I’ve experienced bleeders occasionally and early on noticed erratic readings when bleeding occurred. I concluded that bleeding indicated continuing trouble with that sensor and would routinely replace the sensor early when that happened.
Since starting the G6 system recently, I’ve spent more time reading online comments about CGM sensors. I noticed many comments from users that bleeding is not necessarily bad for continued sensor service.
My first G6 sensor insertion caused a good deal of continued bleeding and I immediately pulled it and inserted another. That sensor insertion also caused bleeding but not as much as the first one. I left it in and it performed well for its 10-day life.
I now think that my much earlier conclusion that any bleeder portends poor readings was in error. For me, going forward, unless it bleeds a lot or its early session readings are wildly off, I will exercise more patience waiting to make a judgment.
It looks like you made a good call. It’s nice to know that Dexcom replaces sensors that cause bleeding without any pushback. Good luck with your G6. Is this your first experience with any CGM?
Yes, the Dexcom G6 is my first CGM and I think I love it. What a wonderful thing it is to NOT have to prick my fingers 8-12 times a day. And the bloody adhesive has not caused a problem with the exception that it scared me when I first saw it.
When mine bleeds - I agree the 1st 24 hours the reading are off and I keep calibrating. As long as it corrects then I keep the sensor in. If not I replace it.
@rrrruff. Call Dexcom support for OVERLAY PATCHES (I believe this is what they are called) They are free and Dexcom will mail a package of 10 to you. They are precut to fit around the transmitter bump and provide extra hold for the sensor/transmitter.
Avoid getting into the calibration round and round unless Dexcom tech support tells you to do a calibration.
As far as blood, I am on anticoagulants. I bleed on most sensors. I just make sure I am not bleeding copious amounts, soaking thru clothing, etc. I put it in the category of having a hole in my hide. <<< Meant to be funny >>>
Hope this helps. Please share how this turns out for you as your sharing helps us all.
I had my first bleeder a couple days ago, after several years on DexCom. In my case, I am really surprised that it hasn’t happened before, as I am on Eliquis and if I even LOOK at my arm hard, I get a huge bruise.
This time, after I inserted the sensor, I realized I hadn’t stopped and removed the previous sensor yet (got in a hurry, usually a perfect recipe for a disaster), so I took the time to do that. By the time I was ready to put the transmitter into the new sensor, I had a steam of blood running down my abdomen, leg, and forming a puddle on the floor. Pulled the sensor off and direct pressure for about 10 minutes got it to stop. New sensor and all is well. Put in an online DexCom tech support request, explaining what happened, and I got a new sensor from them.
All this was a bit scary when it happened, as I had an endoscopy in late April that started bleeding badly. Three units of whole blood and five days in the ICU later, I got to go home fromthe hospital. Now, three months later, my hemoglobin is getting close to the bottom of the normal range. I sure don’t want to go through that again, so I take my bleeding seriously now.
On the lighter side of the experience, my A1c went down by 0.5 points! My endo told me not to get pleased with myself, since the lower A1c belonged to whoever the blood came from. Shucks!
I want to thank everyone who responded to me about the bleeding issue. All appears to be well at this point, the bleeding has stopped and the adhesive is dry. I did have some over-patches on hand that I bought separately and I put one on just to be sure the sensor will stay in place for the entire 10-day period. So far so good. I think I love this Dexcom thingamajig! Think I’ll keep it.
1 Like
I used G4 sensors for a few years before recently moving on to the G6. I’ve only used them a few months, but I did have one that bled some. It seemed to still work ok. What I don’t understand is why people talk about it coming off before the 10 days is up. At 10 days I have a great deal of difficulty getting it off. I tears my skin and leaves burn like marks. When I used my G4s and it was on for over 30 days, then I had trouble with them wanting to come off and I used the over patches, but have no need for that now. I really dislike the idea of having to put new sensors on every 10 days. I can’t see why they can’t be made to stay on and work for 30 days or more. Seems to be a make money thing for Dexcom.