The Healthy Diabetic
Welcome to The healthy Diabetic Podcast, each week I talk about how to navigate the complexities of diabetes. I interview doctors, Endo's, dietitians, CDE's, technology leaders, caregivers, and of course anybody who is affected by diabetes. This show is for you if you're looking for safe, educational, and engaging conversations. I promise to brighten your day, and you'll be sure to leave educated, supported, and guided on your way to a healthier and happier life with diabetes.
Remember, your only job as a diabetic is to figure out what works for you!
See you inside!
Coach Ken.
The Healthy Diabetic
#328: False Lows, Real Fear - When Your CGM Says “LOW” but Your Body Says Otherwise - Danielle Batiste
In today's episode, I sit down with Danielle, who shares a powerful and vulnerable story about how false low readings from her CGM led to extreme anxiety, an ER visit, and a complete shift in how she now approaches diabetes management.
Danielle walks us through a terrifying day where her CGM repeatedly showed dangerously low glucose readings—despite her body showing no symptoms and fingerstick checks telling a different story. The constant alarms, conflicting data, and uncertainty triggered intense anxiety and ultimately landed her in the hospital, where she was treated as if she were hypoglycemic even though lab results showed otherwise.
🔑 Key Takeaways from This Episode
- CGMs are helpful tools—but they are not perfect
- False low readings can trigger real fear and anxiety
- Fingerstick checks are still the gold standard in critical moments
- Treating numbers without symptoms can lead to overcorrection
- Diabetes technology can contribute to emotional burnout
- Taking a break from devices is sometimes necessary and healthy
- Your body’s signals matter just as much as the data
- Anxiety and diabetes are deeply connected—and often overlooked
🧠 Topics We Cover
- CGM inaccuracies and false lows
- Abbott Libre sensor issues and recalls
- Interstitial glucose vs. fingerstick readings
- ER protocols for hypoglycemia
- Diabetes-related anxiety and panic
- PTSD after severe diabetes events
- Technology burnout
- Trusting physical symptoms
- Taking breaks from CGMs
- Long-term diabetes self-awareness
I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with T1D cut through the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and distrust in their daily decisions, so they can feel confident and live without consistently worrying about lows, their body image, or long term complications.
🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
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Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabete
