Glucose Monitor Risks, Complications and Recalls

Diabetes glucose monitors are devices that measure glucose levels in the blood. Monitoring glucose levels can help doctors and patients see how well their treatment plan is working and make better treatment decisions. It can also help patients avoid dangerously high or low blood sugar levels.

Traditional blood glucose monitors use fingersticks with blood samples inserted manually into a meter.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) use sensors implanted under the skin to measure glucose continuously in interstitial fluid (the fluid between cells). A transmitter sends information from the sensor to a smartphone app, a receiver or an insulin pump.

Manufacturers and Brands of Continuous Glucose Monitors for Diabetes

Major manufacturers of CGMs include Dexcom, Abbott and Medtronic. CGMs are growing in popularity because they can provide continuous measurements of blood sugar and alert patients about high or low blood sugar.

They can also help administer insulin when connected to an insulin delivery device.

While all CGMs work similarly — using a sensor, a transmitter and an app or receiver — each of these brands has slightly different features. Make sure you discuss with your medical provider which CGM may be right for you.

Continuous glucose monitors provide several benefits for glucose management, such as avoiding or delaying serious complications of diabetes.

Caregivers and health care providers of the person with diabetes may also benefit from CGMs, because CGM data can be shared with others.

Caregivers can help monitor blood glucose levels, especially in children with diabetes, and avoid hospitalizations. Health care providers have more glucose data to adjust treatments for patients.

CGMs vs. Traditional Blood Glucose Monitors

CGMs and traditional blood glucose monitors or blood glucose meters (BGM) both track glucose levels, but they measure in different ways. While CGMs use interstitial fluid to measure glucose, BGMs use blood to measure glucose.

Readings from BGMs are instant. But because glucose reaches the blood before it reaches interstitial fluid, there can be a delay of about 15 minutes for CGMs to register higher glucose levels after eating. Readings can differ when blood sugar rapidly rises or falls.

While there are several potential benefits of CGMs, they also have drawbacks related to the technology that makes them work.

In one study in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, researchers searched the FDA’s MAUDE medical device database for adverse event reports related to CGMs and other diabetes devices.

Between January 2019 and December 2024, they found 1,624,664 adverse event reports for CGMs. The most common issue was a “wireless communication problem” for 536,306 reports.

Patients must also manage sensor insertions, adhesives, alerts, device costs and occasional fingerstick confirmation when data doesn’t match symptoms or the device is improperly calibrated. This might increase stress for some people.

When glucose monitor failures occur, health risks range from mild discomfort to life‑threatening events.

The severity of the injury depends on how long the problem persists, the patient’s underlying health conditions and whether backup glucose monitoring or clinical care is available.

Warning Signs Your Glucose Monitor May Be Unsafe

Warning signs your glucose monitor may be unsafe include frequent sensor failures, large discrepancies between CGM and meter values, missing alerts, unexplained gaps in data or significant skin reactions at the insertion site.

People who experience severe highs or lows, even if their CGM readings appear normal, or who learn that their device model is subject to a recall, should contact their medical provider right away.

Dexcom and Abbott have both issued high‑profile continuous glucose monitor (CGM) recalls and received FDA‑flagged safety actions in the last few years. These diabetes glucose monitor recalls are mostly tied to missed or incorrect alerts and inaccurate sensor readings, which can potentially lead to dangerous highs or lows.

Most Recent Dexcom CGM Recalls

Dexcom’s recent recalls have largely involved its stand‑alone receivers and smartphone apps.​

Dexcom urged customers to check if their devices are affected by the June 2025 receiver recall and to contact the company for a replacement. For the Android app recall, customers had to upgrade their app to a newer version.

Most Recent Abbott CGM Recalls

In December 2025, Abbott recalled its FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors because they could provide incorrect low glucose readings.

The incorrect low readings could lead to excessive carbohydrate intake, or skipping or delaying insulin. This can lead to potential injury or death.

As of November 2025, there have been 736 serious injuries and seven deaths reportedly associated with the recalled sensors.

How To Check If Your Glucose Monitor Has Been Recalled

You can check if your Dexcom device is recalled by looking for the serial numbers posted on the FDA’s recall alert. Dexcom’s U.S. site also allows you to enter your device’s serial number and check if it’s been recalled.

You can check the FDA’s Abbott recall notification for instructions on how to determine if your FreeStyle Libre sensor is recalled.

If a glucose monitor fails, patients should prioritize safety by treating suspected highs or lows according to their diabetes plan, confirm their blood glucose measurements with a backup meter if possible and seek medical care for severe symptoms.

Clinicians can help determine whether you should discontinue the device, switch to an alternative and document the event for regulatory and legal purposes.​

Patients and health professionals can report suspected device‑related problems, injuries or malfunctions to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program online, by mail or by phone. These reports support surveillance, recalls and safety communications for glucose monitors and other medical devices.

Who Is Responsible for Defective Glucose Monitors?

Manufacturers are mainly responsible for warning the public about defective glucose monitors. They must investigate complaints, correct defects and initiate recalls or field corrections when safety issues arise.

When To Consider Talking With a Lawyer About a Glucose Monitor Recall

Patients may consider speaking with a lawyer about a Dexcom glucose monitor lawsuit or other CGM lawsuit if they experienced serious injury, such as severe hypoglycemia, DKA, hospitalization or long‑term harm that they believe is linked to a recalled or defective glucose monitor.

Legal counsel can review device model and lot numbers, recall status, medical records and manufacturer communications to see if you qualify to file a lawsuit.