so just a bit curious as i know that they have rolled out a new version of the freestyle libre patch glucose sensors and i am aware they work differently to old style pin prick tech, however besides the issue around getting hold of them( pharmacy struggling to get hold of them) i have found my bells and whistles going off saying im low and in hypo zone yet have felt fine and then when i treat potential hypo seems to take a long time to register improving bs levels meaning i sometimes over correct. For example my current reading on libre is showing 5.7 yet my finger prick is showing 7.3 in my mind thats quite a big descrepancy ? has anyone experienced this ? is it an issue over callibration of new tech or was the old tech just inaccurate to begin with ?
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abbott freestyle libre
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Satan’s little helper
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Hello, I always use my meter during hypo recovery. There is a lag with the reading in interstitial fluid over blood with the readings on a sensor. Infact my hypo symptoms abate before the meter? But my golden rule is still use the meter to confirm, I read somewhere interstitial fluid the Libre reads, has a delay in response to replenished BG levels.
CGMs like Libre are great IF you understand the limitations.
These are described many times on this Forum. Many of us have been using them for years including the Libre current version and all historic versions.
It is sad that HCP prescribe CGMs without sharing these limitations.
These are described in this thread https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/cgm-limitations-and-precautions.108188/
This includes the explanation of delays in interstitial fluid readings that @Satan’s little helper mentions, how Libre deals with this and when this works well (most of the time) and when this requires additional finger pricks to check.
The most important thing to remember is that no CGM fully replaces finger pricks : Abbott recommends checking Libre readings with finger pricks before correcting.
These are described many times on this Forum. Many of us have been using them for years including the Libre current version and all historic versions.
It is sad that HCP prescribe CGMs without sharing these limitations.
These are described in this thread https://forum.diabetes.org.uk/boards/threads/cgm-limitations-and-precautions.108188/
This includes the explanation of delays in interstitial fluid readings that @Satan’s little helper mentions, how Libre deals with this and when this works well (most of the time) and when this requires additional finger pricks to check.
The most important thing to remember is that no CGM fully replaces finger pricks : Abbott recommends checking Libre readings with finger pricks before correcting.
thanks for the info , just a little concerning as often finger wagged by care team and thought tech was getting better so control would be tighter but if the calibration is out the all the data will be out , perhaps they should have done further field trials and research before rolling it out
No one says calibration is out although it is important to remember all home meters (both CGM and finger pricks) need to comply with standard to be within 15% of “real” value 95% of the time. This can result in what some people think of to be a large difference at higher numbers.
Regardless of accuracy, as the thread referenced above explains, there are limitations with all CGMs.
Satan’s little helper
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Libres are what they are. Personally, mine give me a few minutes advance warning, lessening the impact of the lows. I no longer need to just feel heavy symptoms & grab the meter. I can gauge with out constantly finger pricking & use the lancet in “anger” only if out of range.
dannybgoode
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I'm trialling a Libre2+ and my control is much better with it.
No device gives perfect readings, not even a finger prick monitor, but once you understand the data you're being presented with and when and what action you need to take it's brilliant.
Satan’s little helper
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I’ve been at it more years than I care to remember? I find sensors more engaging with my diabetes. Then again, as you know. There is the great third party apps utilised with the phone & smart watch tech. But I still won’t ditch the BG meter, yet. (Though, I can spot a “pressure low” on a graph with my eyes closed.)
dannybgoode
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Of course if you drive you have to verify low CGM readings with a BG meter anyway so mine won't be going anywhere for a long time I don't think.
But as you say and as I'm finding - the ability to have the reading beamed to a watch is invaluable. I feel much safer doing long runs with it, I was struggling to work out how I'd train without one.
Just need to convince my GP of the same on Wednesday now...
Satan’s little helper
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Always enjoy our chats on the “star tech.” It’s the best of both worlds. & I started off putting pee in a test tube? Later on sticks that looked like later test strips. Beam me up?
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Different sensors certainly seem to suit some people more than others.
Some individual Libre sensors seemed to track better for me than others when I was using them, but overall they certainly seemed to give me a usable flow of information to help me manage my diabetes.
How long have you been using Libres? Have you been through a few different sensors? Have they all read the same way (a few units below your fingerpricks)?
Some individual Libre sensors seemed to track better for me than others when I was using them, but overall they certainly seemed to give me a usable flow of information to help me manage my diabetes.
How long have you been using Libres? Have you been through a few different sensors? Have they all read the same way (a few units below your fingerpricks)?
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