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Freestyle Libra

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T

Teadance

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Hi all,
Just got my free, Freestyle Libra to try out. Can I ask those who use it if the numbers are higher with this device than with a Blood Glucose monitor, or does the Freestyle Libra adjust for this? I understand it measures interstitial fluid rather than blood. I got a reading of 6.6 from the sensor this morning, but cross checked it with BG monitor and got 5.5. Many thanks.
 
I’m finding that my first two Libre 2 sensors have read a bit higher than a finger prick, (about 1mmol/l, so consistent with what you’ve found). Sometimes they take a day or two to 'bed in' and the readings become more consistent. If its more than 2mmol/l out, after a few days, Abbott may replace it if you contact them. Otherwise, I think we have to remember that fingerprick tests aren’t completely accurate either, within the permitted tolerances. I certainly get hung up on the decimal point sometimes, forgetting that it could be .5 either way.
 
Thanks Robin.
It’s day two and I’m finding it much easier than finger pricking. So easy to use my phone to scan the sensor even when I’m out. Bit shocked to see a 10.2 after what I thought was a low carb breakfast, then a 5.8 an hour later. I’d had a hot cup of tea with breakfast and wondered if that had affected the reading. Maybe, as you say, it needs a couple of days to ‘settle down’. Impressed so far.
 
If I recall correctly, when I first obtained my Freestyle Libre I was told there's an approx 15 minute time difference in levels shown between blood and interstitial fluid. The interstitial fluid being behind the blood figures. So there's always going to be a slight difference in the figures. And as Robin has said it can take a day or two to settle in a new Sensor. Some people recommend putting a replacement Sensor on at least a day before the previous one is due to expire.
 
The first day of my sensor readings can be wonky sometimes, but it settles down by day two. I have a dodgy sensor now and then (which Abbott has always replaced), but otherwise I trust what the Libre's telling me.

I do test my blood and compare with the Libre in the case of a hypo though, just to be on the safe side.
 
Hi. I started using Libre 2 a few weeks back for the first time. My finger prick tests tend to be slightly higher than the sensor but as another poster has said, meters are only +/- 15% accurate. My sensor normally settles within a few hours but, yes, the sensor reading lags by 15 minutes due to the interstitial fluid delay. I find the graphs the most useful thing, plus the alarms, rather than absolute accuracy. I always do a finger-prick test if driving and the sensor reads 5 mmol or less.
 
Your excursion up to 10 maybe due to Foot on the Floor/Dawn Phenomenon rather than anything you ate or drank. The good news is that your pancreas had corrected it an hour later.
 
cameron said:
I do test my blood and compare with the Libre in the case of a hypo though, just to be on the safe side.
Click to expand...
I also do a finger prick test when I get a high alarm.
In my experience, the Libre is also less accurate when high and I'd rather not over treat a high.
 
Thanks. Interesting reading. Really nice to hear others experiences of this.
Counsellornei: Yes. Good point about the 15min delay.
Rebrascora: I’d forgotten about dawn phenomenon. Still pretty high for me though.
I’ll see if it settles down a bit today.
 
counsellorneil said:
If I recall correctly, when I first obtained my Freestyle Libre I was told there's an approx 15 minute time difference in levels shown between blood and interstitial fluid. The interstitial fluid being behind the blood figures. So there's always going to be a slight difference in the figures. And as Robin has said it can take a day or two to settle in a new Sensor. Some people recommend putting a replacement Sensor on at least a day before the previous one is due to expire.
Click to expand...
I understand that if you have updated the software on your reader and phone (the phone version should be 2.5.3.6373) then they've incorporated an algorythm which negates the 15 minute gap in time. Having had a succession of brilliant sensors that have been very accurate, my last two have been reading approx 1.5 to 2 mmol below bloods.
 
Pattidevans said:
I understand that if you have updated the software on your reader and phone (the phone version should be 2.5.3.6373) then they've incorporated an algorythm which negates the 15 minute gap in time. Having had a succession of brilliant sensors that have been very accurate, my last two have been reading approx 1.5 to 2 mmol below bloods.
Click to expand...
I read that they’d done that with the algorithm, and I'm not too sure how successful it’s been. I seem to be getting a lot more instances where, say, if my blood sugar seems to be rising or falling rapidly, the Libre will show it going on rising or falling, yet when I look at the graph later, it flattened off in ‘real time' and never got to the dizzying heights or depths that the snapshot reading was showing me. Similarly, I’m getting more 'try again in 10 minutes’ messages than I used to, when my levels are changing rapidly and the sensor can’t keep up. That rarely used to happen.
Maybe you don’t see as many because you manage to keep your bloods steadier then I do! It’s when I do a stint of heavy gardening (lows) or go out to the garden centre for coffee and cake (highs) that it tends to happen.😉
 
Yes, when we were on holiday and eating/drinking in a way I don't normally do at home I got a number of the "try again in 10 minutes" messages. I also suffered a lot of high BGs due to insulin frying in temps of 41 degrees so to be honest I wasn't really taking much notice of the Libre at that point.
 
My 11 yr old grandson moved onto the Libre 2 a couple of weeks ago and we are finding the graphs and alarms really useful for getting our heads round this whole Type 1 thing. He's only been diagnosed since end of April but much prefers his sensor. We still do a few finger pricks on a daily basis especially when he's heading low or high. Trying to work out the pros and cons of pumps now!!!!
 
I FIND MY FINGER PRICK TEST IS MOSTLY HIGHER THAN SENSOR I am about to get a Libre 2 will be interested to see if there is any difference and look forward to having warning alarm as I DONT GET MUCH hYPO INDICATORS PROBABLY because I have had Type 1 for almost 50 years The difference since getting a pump and a libre free is amazing THE ONLY THING i NEED NOW IS TO LOSE WEIGHT AS MY hbA1C IS 52and clinics to restart
 
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