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CGM pach and Airport scanner

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Finwiz

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
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I asked similar question last year but on recent convesation with my DSN, she mentioned that it is advisable not to go through a "Body scanner". I imagine the hand held ones are ok.

I am also confused if unopen libre scanner in a box can go through the hand luggage scanner. Am planning a trip in a weeks time.
 
Did they say the reason? Is it just simply that it'll show up and you'll have to answer some questions.

My stoma always gets picked up and usually gets swabbed. Not much I can do about that though :D
 
Many of my libres have been through many scanners when attached to my arm with no problems.
I have also had them x-rayed in their boxes with no issues.

Some airports have newer scanners. I have been through these a few times and, again, never had any issues.

I have never been pulled over due to a CGM.

The concerns is more with insulin pumps than CGMs. Although in most cases this is because they have not been tested and the risks associated with a misbehaving pump are far greater than a misbehaving CGM.

I always carry my finger prick meter and enough test strips with me in case there is a problem. Remember, this could be a problem with my body reacting to the CGM as well as the sensor misbehaving.
 
helli said:
Many of my libres have been through many scanners when attached to my arm with no problems.
I have also had them x-rayed in their boxes with no issues.
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Did you take it through "Full Body scanner" as well? I think the DSN was talking about these types and not the hand scanner or the one you walk through.
 
Finwiz said:
Did you take it through "Full Body scanner" as well? I think the DSN was talking about these types and not the hand scanner or the one you walk through.
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From a technological point of view I can't see what the risk is. A CGM is not complex or sensitive in electronic so can't see the risk personally.

I am always happy to be corrected of course however this advice currently leaves me baffled.
 
Any 'official' advice is going to be conservative, often because the things haven’t been tested. All I can say is, I have worn my Libre in a full body scanner several times (not just the metal detecting archway) and it's always survived. I also send my spare Libres through the x-ray machine.
I have noticed that I can be wearing the same clothes etc, (I have an favourite travelling outfit) and trigger the archway in some airports, and not in others.
 
This is what I saw on UK Diabetic site:

Guidance on metal detectors and CGMs and pumps​

Most types of CGM/Freestyle Libre sensors and insulin pumps can be taken through the metal detector arches that you walk through.

X-ray luggage scanners, body scanners and CGMS and pumps​

Most types of CGM/Freestyle Libre sensors and insulin pumps - and any spare devices or sensors - should not be exposed to x-ray luggage scanners, hold luggage scanners or full body scanners. If you don’t want to remove your CGM/sensor/insulin pump to go through a full body scanner, ask for a “pat down” instead.
 
I am pretty sure there was a recent update from Abbott to say that Libre could now be taken through the full body scanners. I think the directive about it came out last summer.
 
rebrascora said:
I am pretty sure there was a recent update from Abbott to say that Libre could now be taken through the full body scanners. I think the directive about it came out last summer.
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Thanks for this. Will check out Abbott site
 
I’ve never had a problem going through the scanners and having spare libre be x rayed in my bag. I just never mention my diabetes to anyone.
 
Finwiz said:
Did you take it through "Full Body scanner" as well? I think the DSN was talking about these types and not the hand scanner or the one you walk through.
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Yes, I have taken them through full body scanners with no trouble.
 
Thing is though if you do go through ANY Xray equipment and kill whatever, the medical companies won't replace them free of charge because they tell you upfront absolutely NOT to do that. Not so bad with a Libre sensor since you've only lost around £50 ish but if it's your new insulin pump that your life depends on, you're hardly going to be able to have a lovely relaxing holiday, are you! Plus we're talking a couple of thousand quid for a new pump.

I know that @PattiEvans has frequently needed to request a 'hand held scan' at airports, though to be honest it's now been so long since we have flown anywhere (or even been abroad) I'm hardly an expert.
 
Last time I went on a cruise (June last year), I was told by my DSNs that my pump (and spare pump) should not be x-rayed (shouldn't go through hold luggage x-ray machines or the new full body scanners because these are also x-ray) but would be fine with the arch metal detectors. The libre 2 sensors can also go through the archway metal detectors and spare sensors can go through the hold luggage x-ray machine but no sensors should go through the full body scanners because they have not been tested. I was told to tell security that I was wearing a pump and sensor and pack my spare medical equipment separately. They see loads of people with pumps and sensors now and are very knowledgeable about what they can and can't do. Talk to your DSN and get the up to date advice and make security aware.
 
rebrascora said:
I am pretty sure there was a recent update from Abbott to say that Libre could now be taken through the full body scanners. I think the directive about it came out last summer.
Click to expand...

This is what I see on Abbott website:

Can I pass through security airport scanner with a Sensor?​

The Sensor can be exposed to common electrostatic (ESD) and electromagnetic interference (EMI), including airport metal detectors. You can keep your Ssensor on while going through these. However, the Sensor should not be exposed to some airport full-body scanners (i.e. x-ray and millimeter radio-wave). To avoid removing your Sensor, you should request another type of screening to be performed by the Security Officer. If in doubt about the type of security scan you are passing through, notify the Security Officer prior to proceeding through the airport security checkpoint.

They suggest full-body scanners should be avoided.
 
trophywench said:
Thing is though if you do go through ANY Xray equipment and kill whatever, the medical companies won't replace them free of charge because they tell you upfront absolutely NOT to do that. Not so bad with a Libre sensor since you've only lost around £50 ish but if it's your new insulin pump that your life depends on, you're hardly going to be able to have a lovely relaxing holiday, are you! Plus we're talking a couple of thousand quid for a new pump.

I know that @PattiEvans has frequently needed to request a 'hand held scan' at airports, though to be honest it's now been so long since we have flown anywhere (or even been abroad) I'm hardly an expert.
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Yes, Jen, but that was due to my pump rather than the Libre. I've always avoided the full body Xray type cabinets and they've always been happy to do a body scan. Thing is, they sometimes make you wait a bit, meantime my handbag with passport / boarding pass and money would be sitting unattended at the end of the counter except for the fact that I've not travelled without hubby since being diabetic.
 
The thing is, who's to say whether a sensor failure has actually been caused by an airport scanner, failed sensors being not that uncommon? The few times I've had to report failures to Abbott, I've never been asked "have you flown recently?" or similar. Would anyone be able to tell by testing? If not, Abbott are just using their advice as a get-out, IMO.
 
I’ve been through a full body scanner when I didn’t realise it wasn’t advised (and got away with it). But I suspect the device manufacturers simply can’t guarantee that their equipment will always be safe with all full body scanners currently made in the world, or new ones brought out in the future.

I confess I’ve never worried about spares going through the X-ray, but I do ask for a swap/pat down for devices I am wearing, particularly my insulin pump which will be keeping me alive at 30,000 feet, and will be rather handy not to have been accidentally fried as my trip is just beginning!

Security staff have always been very considerate and understanding of my requests for a pat down and swab.
 
I happily go through the metal detector but as I am advised not go through the full body scanner wearing my pump and sensor I don’t do it. Like @everydayupsanddowns I would like to have a working o7mp at my destination. Since I am not going to go through the full body bit I I just have my spare sensors with me too and ask for a pat down. It hardly ever causes a problem nowadays and they seem used to this request.

For all the ‘expert advice’ that I may get on the odd occasion telling me it won’t be a problem, I just show them the advice sheet that came with my pump. I am not chancing anything with the equipment that keeps me alive.
 
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