Libre 2 placement

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Jhp86

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Type 1.5 LADA
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I’m going to start using the libre 2, but wanted to know where to place it.

I know traditionally it goes on the back of the arm, but I have the dreaded bingo wings and worry this will affect it?

Can they be placed on the front part of the upper arm?

Any tips would be great!
 
It needs to go on or close to the back of the arm as per manufacturers advice. Any other location is not what they’ve tested and therefore they don’t have to replace any that have issues if not used correctly. If you need to test to meet DVLA requirements, it won’t be enough to use libre if not worn correctly either.
 
Inka said:
The back of the arm works best IMO @Jhp86 Bingo wings (and I bet they’re not that bad 🙂 ) shouldn’t be a problem.
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Thank you!

I’ve got some patches to help protect it arriving today, so gonna give it a go tonight.

On a positive note, levels this morning were just over 17 which is down from the usual mid 18s I’ve been getting and that’s after taking 24 units of Lantus last night
 
Lucyr said:
It needs to go on or close to the back of the arm as per manufacturers advice. Any other location is not what they’ve tested and therefore they don’t have to replace any that have issues if not used correctly. If you need to test to meet DVLA requirements, it won’t be enough to use libre if not worn correctly either.
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Thank you, I’m sure it’ll be ok!
 
Bingo wings are better than toned arms because you can easily find a flat area (sensors don't bend around muscles). The only thing you need to check is that the area has enough fat (the filament needs at least 5mm fat).
 
Bubbleblower said:
Libre 2 placement comes really close; where exactly you place it can make a huge difference.
For example this is from 2 sensors right next to each other on the same arm:

View attachment 31238

The sensor needs to be placed on the back of the arm as far from the biceps and from the elbow as possible, where there is fat. This is harder if your BMI is lower, if it is < 25 you should get a Dexcom, because the libre will be worthless.
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Can you give the source for this image as it suggests that the Libre is wildly temperamental. Without some context it isn't helpful.
 
Merluza said:
Without some context it isn't helpful.
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Solved, what context would you have liked?


May be these studies are helpfull to OP or people interested then:

Accuracy and precision of flash glucose monitoring sensors inserted into the abdomen and upper thigh compared with the upper arm conclusion: "the abdomen performed unacceptably poorly" (Abbott)

Accuracy of a CGM Sensor in Pediatric Subjects With Type 1 Diabetes. Comparison of Three Insertion Sites: Arm, Abdomen, and Gluteus Conclusion: "the accuracy of the sensor placed on the arm was not significantly different with respect to the two approved insertion sites (abdomen and gluteus)" (Dexcom)

Assessment of factors that determine the mean absolute relative difference in flash glucose monitoring with reference to plasma glucose levels in Japanese subjects without diabetes
The MARD at a BMI of ~21 is about double that of the MARD at a BMI of 25 (see table 1). (Abbott)
 
I would like to know who did it, why they did it and how they did it, I would like to see a picture of the arm with both sensors on and if the test was repeated with similar results, a video would be preferable. A link to the site where they were posted would be useful. I would also be interested in the conclusions of the person doing the test and what they did with the information other than posting it somewhere. As the photos seem to have gone I can't recall the results but they were pretty dramatic and could do with some investigation either into the test results or the method used.
 
Merluza said:
As the photos seem to have gone I can't recall the results but they were pretty dramatic
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Indeed, but according to Abbott this is within the allowed range and certainly not a reason to replace sensors. So Abbott sensors are dangerous for people with lower BMI’s, especially if they are not placed in the exact right spot.

If you use Google Lens you can find the origin of the photo and who did the tests.

1723793055163.jpeg
 
Bubbleblower said:
Indeed, but according to Abbott this is within the allowed range and certainly not a reason to replace sensors. So Abbott sensors are dangerous for people with lower BMI’s, especially if they are not placed in the exact right spot.

If you use Google Lens you can find the origin of the photo and who did the tests.

View attachment 31242
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So this is developing into a saga as the prescription has gone into a "sunny spot" in the cloud and I may not have one till Monday. Although my BMI is slightly over 25 there is minimal fat on my arms because of all the daily wheelchair transfers and working out with dumb bells and exercise bands. If I got a same day delivery of a Dexcom is it just a question of installing it on my arm and loading an app onto my Android?
 
MikeyBikey said:
So this is developing into a saga as the prescription has gone into a "sunny spot" in the cloud and I may not have one till Monday. Although my BMI is slightly over 25 there is minimal fat on my arms because of all the daily wheelchair transfers and working out with dumb bells and exercise bands. If I got a same day delivery of a Dexcom is it just a question of installing it on my arm and loading an app onto my Android?
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Mikey, you would need to check if your phone was on the compatible list for Dexcom as they have a shorter list of phones than Libre.
Did you check with Abbott customer services about having to remove it for your MRI and if they would replace it?
 
Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but when is the best time of day to apply it (if there even is one???) I’ve not actually applied it yet! Been super busy with work and was going to do it today as I’ve 2 days off so i can settle with it.
 
Jhp86 said:
Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but when is the best time of day to apply it (if there even is one???) I’ve not actually applied it yet! Been super busy with work and was going to do it today as I’ve 2 days off so i can settle with it.
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After a shower, don’t use any moisturiser on the area you will apply it, clean the area thoroughly and shave if needed, dry thoroughly then put the sensor on.
 
Jhp86 said:
Sorry if this is a really dumb question, but when is the best time of day to apply it (if there even is one???)
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That is a genius question.

Part of the problem is the foreign body response so I googled if the immune system has a circadian rythm and from a BBC article (What is the worst time of day to get sick?) I learned:

“If you go for a seasonal flu jab, aim for a morning appointment: you’ll produce more than four times as many protective antibodies if you’re injected with it between 9am and 11am, compared to six hours later.”


May be the immune system is also more active in one place than another, may be it thinks if you got injured in a fatty place it’s not as bad as when your bones or muscles get injured.
 
MikeyBikey said:
So this is developing into a saga as the prescription has gone into a "sunny spot" in the cloud and I may not have one till Monday. Although my BMI is slightly over 25 there is minimal fat on my arms because of all the daily wheelchair transfers and working out with dumb bells and exercise bands. If I got a same day delivery of a Dexcom is it just a question of installing it on my arm and loading an app onto my Android?
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When I trialed a G6 on Android. From memory, it was a question of loading the app then inputting a 4? Digit code for the transmitter into the app. If you go to the app play store your device will tell you if it’s compatible. It will let you download the app.
 
Ok so I applied yesterday morning, so far so good.

One question is how often does anyone still check on a normal BG machine? I’ve tested a couple of times just to make sure it’s more or less the same (I know it never will be) and so far I’d say There’s about a 5% difference. Other than that all good.

2nd question is showering! I was super super careful this morning, didn’t get any soap/shower gel on it, but will it affect it if I did? I’ve got an adhesive patch over it too.
 
Jhp86 said:
One question is how often does anyone still check on a normal BG machine?
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Any time I am high, low, have fixed a low, have finished exercising, feel odd, or feel different to the sensor reading
 
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