How to avoid CGM compression lows at night?

Hey David, a  "compression low" happens when you accidentally lay directly on your Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) while sleeping. Because CGMs measure the glucose in the interstitial fluid just under your skin—not your actual capillary blood—putting sustained pressure on the sensor literally squeezes that fluid away from the tiny filament. Without enough fluid to read, the sensor thinks your glucose is plummeting rapidly, triggering a loud, false low alarm.

The good news is that there are several physical strategies to keep these fake alarms from interrupting your sleep. The most effective method is optimizing your sensor placement. If you are a side sleeper, try to avoid placing the sensor on the exact outer edge of your arm. Instead, position it slightly more toward the front or the back of your arm so it rests in a natural "divot" when you roll over, preventing your mattress from pressing flat against it.

If you prefer keeping your current insertion sites, you can use physical barriers. Some people find success by placing a thick, specialized over-patch around the device, or even wearing a protective armband to absorb the pressure. Ultimately, always verify a sudden, steep nighttime drop with a traditional fingerstick before treating it with food. If your fingerstick is completely normal but your CGM is screaming, you likely just experienced a compression low. Simply roll over to take your body weight off the device, wait about 15 to 20 minutes for the interstitial fluid to return to the tissue, and your sensor graph should automatically self-correct.