Libre freestyle wild readings

[Subliminal hope]

Hi been a type 1diabetic 46years i was offered to use the libre freestyle March of this year. So i jumped at the chance meaning no more finger pricking. Was a good tool for a few months. But thes last couple of months ive had some very fluctuating results. Ive been getting all results 70-80%in target. Which is fsntastic. But todaytoday and orevious days was shiwing kots if lows. Like this morning from 6. 45am up unto 2.30pm afternoon all readings was below 5 so I kept having 10carbs everytime it showed low result . Like all morning up untill time 2.45 So im thinking somthing isnt right. So tested blood on 2machines i have. Both readings was Over 15 surely the sensors can't be that far out readings from sensor all under 5 all morning up to 2.30 and 15 and over on my glucose machines At 2.30.!! Im starting to doubt the libre freestyle now... There have been other wild reading days. Ive been blaming myself thinking haveci injected too much Rapid.!!! Can get so confusing at times is it me or the sensors.!!! S

 

[Matchless]

Hi sorry to hear your problem with your freestyle libre ,sound like you may be having a bit of yoyoing with your readings,are you just using the reader? i have been using the Miao miao transmitter that you attache to the sensor that sends your readings every 5 minutes to a app on your phone like xdrip+ then you are able to calibrate your blood glucose readings from your finger stick which i do once a day first in the morning when your readings should be level ,I have been using this system for years now would be lost without it ,good luck.

 

[Subliminal hope]

Hi sorry to hear your problem with your freestyle libre ,sound like you may be having a bit of yoyoing with your readings,are you just using the reader? i have been using the Miao miao transmitter that you attache to the sensor that sends your readings every 5 minutes to a app on your phone like xdrip+ then you are able to calibrate your blood glucose readings from your finger stick which i do once a day first in the morning when your readings should be level ,I have been using this system for years now would be lost without it ,good luck.

Matchless
Yes definitely yo yoing ive read about your theory somewhere else about app you mentioned i replaced my sensor this afternoon and all sensor readings are green again so am Happy with readings up to now but ill deffo think about the App you mentioned if yo yo results happen again. Thx matchless for your reply in not a moaner but i thougbt them sensors self callibrate on the hour before using. Ill look more into app if probs occur.

 

[rebrascora]

Hi. If the Libre is showing hypo and you don't feel hypo then it is important to check with a finger prick rather than just treat it, especially when it is showing repeated hypos. If you check it and a finger prick shows you are not hypo and this happens a few times then you are in a good position to contact Abbot and get a replacement sensor. Was this problem one getting towards the end of it's 2 weeks. Could it have been coming adrift... ie the adhesive failing and the filament not being held securely or could you have been leaning against something and caused a compression low? This can happen when you are sleeping and lie on the arm with the sensor sometimes.
Anyway, just a few things to consider when things don't work quite right with the Libre. They are a great bit of kit but like anything, not infallible. Apart from one where the adhesive failed after 9 days (which Abbott replaced), mine have all been sufficiently accurate for me to be confident of bolussing from them but I still do the occasional finger prick when levels are reasonably stable to double check that it is close enough. Usually I find they read slightly lower at low levels and I believe they may read slightly higher at high levels. For me a 3.5 on the Libre is usually about 4.2 ish with a finger prick.

Hope your new sensor behaves more reliably.

 

[freesia]

Hi. As @rebrascora says, check your level with a finger prick. I've had quite a few "hypos" which turn out to be not hypo whem i check with the strips, usually within first or last 24 hours of sensor usage. If the reading on the sensor doesn't match up to how you are feeling always double check as its easy to think you're having a hypo and treat it when you're not, hence the possibility of much higher levels when you do check.

 

[helli]

I have been using Livte for the last year and, once I worked out the limitations, I found it a great bit of kit but there are some things to remember

• Libre is about 15 minutes behind finger pricks
• Libre is inaccurate when blood sugars are high or low
• Libre may be inaccurate for the first 48 hours.
• Libre May drift during its life.

Therefore, whilst I use Libre readings for food blouses, I never correct from Libre readings when my blood sugars are high or low.
I always apply my sensor 48 hours before starting it.
I test with finger pricks when my blood sugars are changing quickly such as when I am exercising or just after eating.
I always test with finger pricks to test hypo recovery (fast acting carbs work quicker than Libre).
I test with finger pricks at least once per day to check for drift.

Most importantly, I never correct highs or lows without finger pricks.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

That's a pretty good list from @helli with some very good precautions.

The other important thing as @rebrascora says is to report any sensors that don’t seem to be working well to Abbott. They can trouble-shoot the application and sensor use, and will replace any that don’t meet their expectations.

 

[Subliminal hope]

Hi. If the Libre is showing hypo and you don't feel hypo then it is important to check with a finger prick rather than just treat it, especially when it is showing repeated hypos. If you check it and a finger prick shows you are not hypo and this happens a few times then you are in a good position to contact Abbot and get a replacement sensor. Was this problem one getting towards the end of it's 2 weeks. Could it have been coming adrift... ie the adhesive failing and the filament not being held securely or could you have been leaning against something and caused a compression low? This can happen when you are sleeping and lie on the arm with the sensor sometimes.
Anyway, just a few things to consider when things don't work quite right with the Libre. They are a great bit of kit but like anything, not infallible. Apart from one where the adhesive failed after 9 days (which Abbott replaced), mine have all been sufficiently accurate for me to be confident of bolussing from them but I still do the occasional finger prick when levels are reasonably stable to double check that it is close enough. Usually I find they read slightly lower at low levels and I believe they may read slightly higher at high levels. For me a 3.5 on the Libre is usually about 4.2 ish with a finger prick.

Hope your new sensor behaves more reliably.

Spoken to Abbot today thyre sending me a new sensor out. Also set me an account up there side saying they can monitor my results as well. Also told me in more detail about sensor application. And what causes upsets to the sensors. Alot happier today and thankyou folksfor all the feedback given.

 

[rebrascora]

So pleased you contacted Abbott and got some advice and support and a replacement sensor. Hope the new one that you applied is working well.

 

[Subliminal hope]

T

So pleased you contacted Abbott and got some advice and support and a replacement sensor. Hope the new one that you applied is working well.

Yes all good now ty all results yesterday and today are back in target. Got my confidence back as well. Thx for reply.