Freestyle Libre

[Irish-Chris]

Hello all, I've recently purchased a freestyle Libre kit and would love some feedback. I'm a type 2 and averaging 17/18mmol/L. I know I need to sort my diet out also. Just hoping to start some chat on the Libre sensor and app.
Thanks,
Chris.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Hello all, I've recently purchased a freestyle Libre kit and would love some feedback. I'm a type 2 and averaging 17/18mmol/L.

That's high. Does it match results from test strips, more or less?

 

[Irish-Chris]

there's a difference of about 4 when I tested with strips. Tested ketones and they were fine, on several occasions it was above 27. I'm only new to the libre.

 

[Bruce Stephens]

there's a difference of about 4 when I tested with strips. Tested ketones and they were fine, on several occasions it was above 27. I'm only new to the libre.

OK, just high then. (Accuracy decreases once you get far outside 3-6.) You really want to get those numbers to single figures (as I'm sure you understand).

Once you do, the Libre app can conveniently show time in range (suggested range is 3.9-10.0 for most people), and the suggested target is to stay in that range for as much of the time as possible. (And if you get over 70% then that's pretty good.) (There's more to the guidance than that, but that's the central part, and something I find very helpful day to day.)

[EDIT: I should emphasise that the time in range thing is only of use once you've reduced your readings to a sensible range. Even 17 is way too high, and you need to reduce it.]

 

[Jaymun]

Hi all,who's having problems with the sensor falling off?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Hi all,who's having problems with the sensor falling off?

Some do. I've had problems a couple of times (a doorframe did one in, and one started to come off a bit a couple of days before it was to be replaced anyway). People use a variety of tapes and things (I've used Tegaderm a few times).

 

[Sally71]

Stick some Tegaderm over it, that will hold it in place. You are supposed to cut a hole in the middle though to allow the skin to breathe.

 

[Jaymun]

Thank you for your replys,it's the second sensor in a few weeks.its back to finger pricking till another sensor comes through the post☹️

 

[Kaylz]

I find Cutiderm are by far better than Tegaderm and I used to use Tegaderm all the time xx

 

[rebrascora]

@Jaymun
Sadly my sensor came unstuck today, 6 days early and without warning. It was working fine at lunchtime and I went to do a scan this afternoon and it said "reading not available, try in 10 mins".... tried and same again. Checked sensor and it was a bit loose on one side so I applied Micropore over it, as that was all I had, but the filament must have already been dislodged because it continued to fail to take a reading and then I got a sensor failed notice and to apply a new sensor.

I am extremely thorough about my skin prep when applying my sensor so very disappointed and will be in touch with Abbott tomorrow to see what they say and will be looking at buying some Cutiderm since @Kaylz recommends them so highly.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Are you seeing big differences before and after meals @Irish-Chris

Perhaps keeping a food diary with a note of what you have been eating, and a vague carb total for the meal would be a good way to see what amount of carbs and which types are suiting you best.

If you can get the ‘meal rises’ down to 2-3mmol/L or less, you should find that your overall levels come down gradually.