Can You Wear A CGM During A CT Scan 2026: Safety Tips!

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2026-04-12T08:00:06+08:00

Wondering can you wear a cgm during a ct scan? Learn expert guidelines, device policies, and crucial safety steps to protect your health and CGM sensor!

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When undergoing medical imaging for the first time, many people share a common question: can you wear a cgm during a ct scan?

As a health management practitioner with years of research experience in the CGM sensor field, I frequently receive inquiries from patients about devices and radiation.

In short, the current industry consensus is that it depends on the brand you are using and the specific area being scanned [1].

Although anti-interference technology in medical devices continues to advance, doctors generally recommend temporarily removing the device to ensure your safety and the long-term accuracy of the readings.

For your health, we advise strictly following the product manual when using mainstream CGM devices like SIBIONICS.

At all times, the final decision in the medical imaging room rests with the radiologist.

Different scanning machines emit varying doses of radiation. You must always follow the on-site instructions of healthcare professionals and the product user manual.

Do not decide to keep the sensor on your own, as this may lead to potential diagnostic errors or medical risks.

Why Is Wearing A CGM During A CT Scan A Concern?

Why does the combination of cgm and ct scan cause concern among users, doctors, and researchers? The main reason is strong radiation interference.

X-rays emitted by a CT scan (Computed Tomography) can directly impact the precise microelectronic components inside the CGM system.

These components are responsible for converting glucose signals in your body into transmittable electrical signals.

High doses of X-rays can disrupt the sensor's signal processing, leading to temporary or long-term deviations in blood glucose readings.

This data distortion could mislead your insulin dosing decisions, posing serious health risks.

Another core issue is potential device damage. A high-radiation environment can cause irreversible and permanent physical failure of the sensor.

If your CGM happens to be in the main beam path of the X-ray, its internal micro-transmitter may not withstand this level of energy impact.

This explains why most device brands strongly recommend keeping it away from radiation areas in their clinical guidelines.

Besides potential damage to the device itself, image artifacts are another major concern highly monitored by radiologists.

Most CGMs contain metal probes and complex electronic components. Under strong beams, these materials can create star-like artifacts on CT images.

This phenomenon might obscure critical tissue structures that doctors need to examine, directly impacting the accuracy of a clinical diagnosis.

Official Guidelines: SIBIONICS, Dexcom, And FreeStyle Libre

To intuitively understand the policies of different manufacturers, we have compiled the general recommendations of mainstream cgm brands regarding medical imaging tests.

Please refer to the official guideline comparison below:

Brand and Model | CT Scan Recommendation | Core Reason and Precautions
SIBIONICS GS1 / GS3 | Recommend removal before scan | Protects precision electronics, avoids inaccurate readings from radiation interference
Dexcom G6 / G7 | Recommend removal before scan | Sensors and transmitters are not tested or validated in high-dose radiation environments
FreeStyle Libre Series | Removal required in most cases | Some models can be worn during a CT scan, but removal is usually required to avoid artifacts

When discussing cgm ct scan compatibility, the brand's official manual is operational guideline.

For the latest generation of SIBIONICS CGM devices, according to the SIBIONICS GS3 CGM data information, it is recommended to remove the sensor before a CT or X-ray scan.

Although the SIBIONICS GS3 is extremely delicate in its industrial design, temporarily removing it remains an uncompromising golden standard during radiological tests to ensure device integrity and subsequent reading accuracy.

Dexcom's official stance is also very clear.

Whether it is the early G6 or the newest G7 series, official instructions usually require the complete removal of the sensor and transmitter during a CT scan.

In contrast, some models of FreeStyle Libre (such as Libre 3) have received a certain degree of exemption approved by the US FDA.

Even so, if the scanning area involves the sensor region, healthcare professionals will typically still ask for it to be removed to maintain image quality.

When making a ct scan remove cgm decision, the patient's safety and diagnostic accuracy always come first.

Does the Scanning Area Matter? (Head VS Body Scan)

Many users ask right before their checkup: can i wear cgm in ct if the scan is only on my head?

The scanning area is indeed a critical deciding variable. If the sensor is out-of-beam, there might be room to keep it on in certain specific scenarios.

For instance, official guidelines suggest placing the CGM on the soft, fleshy back of the upper arm (upper third between shoulder and elbow).

If your scan area is the ankle or head, since the sensor is far from the main beam, some doctors might allow you to keep it [2].

However, the medical imaging community shares a universal rule of thumb: as long as the sensor is in the direct path of the X-ray main beam, it must be removed unconditionally.

According to actual user feedback, many patients undergoing chest or abdominal CTs are asked by technicians to take off the sensor right before the scan.

Therefore, please be sure to proactively inform your doctor before the test that you are wearing a CGM device.

How To Manage Your Diabetes During The Scan?

Removing the device is not just about hardware protection, but also involves your daily blood sugar management. Here are a few practical coping strategies.

Smart schedule planning might help you reduce unnecessary waste of supplies.

We suggest scheduling non-urgent CT scans on the exact day your sensor is due for a replacement.

This way, you can naturally remove the old sensor prior to the scan and apply a new one right after the checkup, minimizing the financial loss caused by the imaging procedure.

During the scan and the gap period after sensor removal, make sure to use a traditional fingerstick test as your primary backup monitoring method.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines, when CGM data is temporarily unavailable or questionable due to radiation, fingerstick testing serves as the absolute baseline for making treatment decisions like insulin injections [3].

If you are anxious about glucose fluctuations during the scan, we highly encourage you to consult your endocrinologist in advance.

Your doctor can create a transitional plan for temporarily suspending your CGM use, ensuring you maintain stable glucose control while undergoing any imaging tests related to can you wear a cgm during a ct scan.

What Should You Do If You Accidentally Wore Your CGM In A CT?

In a stressful or rushed medical setting, you might sometimes forget to take the device off.

If you accidentally wore your CGM during a CT scan, please follow these remedial steps.

First, check your smartphone app immediately after the scan finishes. Look closely to see if the app interface displays any error messages, communication failures, or data interruption alerts.

Intense radiation interference can occasionally cause an immediate system shutdown or throw a sensor failure system notification.

Second, you must perform rigorous data verification. As mentioned in the safety principles earlier, you absolutely cannot rely solely on CGM readings after radiation exposure.

You must verify multiple times whether the glucose level displayed on the app matches the actual fingerstick readings through comparative fingerstick tests.

If you notice persistently abnormal readings or significant discrepancies with the fingerstick test results, replace it with a new sensor immediately.

Do not force yourself to keep using a potentially damaged device, as this could cause you to miss severe low or high blood sugar events, leading to irreversible consequences.

Verdict: Prioritizing Safety And Accuracy

Ultimately, regarding the discussion around can you wear a cgm during a ct scan, the core focus is always patient safety and diagnostic precision.

Even though medical monitoring technology is constantly advancing, removing the CGM remains the safest and most scientific approach to ensure medical diagnosis accuracy (avoiding artifacts) and sensor lifespan.

This is especially true for professional monitoring devices that demand extremely high data accuracy.

The information in this article is for educational reference only. When entering the imaging room, the final decision must be handed over to the on-site radiologist.

Following the instructions of medical professionals is always the best choice for protecting your long-term health.

FAQ: Common Questions About CGM and Imaging Tests

Can X-rays (like dental or chest X-rays) damage my CGM?

Routine low-dose X-rays (such as dental or chest X-rays) emit a relatively small amount of radiation. Some studies suggest they carry a lower risk of causing damage.

However, due to the varying sensitivities of different devices, we still recommend consulting the radiologist and checking the product manual before undergoing any type of X-ray exam to be safe.

Can I wear my CGM during an MRI?

Absolutely not. Please note that the imaging principle of an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is entirely different from a CT scan, as it generates an extremely powerful magnetic field.

This not only severely disrupts and damages the CGM's precision electronic components but can also may cause internal metal parts to heat up rapidly, resulting in skin burns.

Therefore, the sensor must be unconditionally removed before undergoing an MRI scan.

References

[1] US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2024). Preventing Damage to Wearable Diabetes Devices During Imaging and Radiation Procedures. https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/electronic-medical-devices-x-ray-imaging-and-radiation-therapy-what-know-and-how-prevent-damage/preventing-damage-wearable-diabetes-devices-during-imaging-and-radiation-procedures
[2] My Health Alberta. (2023). Continuous glucose monitors and imaging tests. https://myhealth.alberta.ca/alberta/AlbertaDocuments/continuous-glucose-monitors-imaging-tests-2023.pdf
[3] American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. (2025). Standards of Care in Diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care, 48(Supplement_1), S1-S352. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc25-S001

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Author Information

This article was written by the SIBIONICS CGM Professional Health Content Team. The author has years of research experience in CGM and diabetes management, helping users optimize their device experience through science-based practices.

Last Updated: April 13, 2026