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Readings on a Libre

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ky333

Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
Wondered if someone with a bit more experience of the libre would look at this for me...
Readings over past 5 days ....

Libre reading versus actual BG
LB 4.7 BG 2.9
LB 6.8 BG 3.0
LB 8.0 BG 4.1
LB 7.3 BG 3.2
LB 6.7 BG 1.9

Obviously massively different and had we not checked ( they were taken at bedtime) she would have been hypo most of the night. Its a new sensor, only put on 6 days ago.
 
ky333 said:
Obviously massively different and had we not checked ( they were taken at bedtime) she would have been hypo most of the night. Its a new sensor, only put on 6 days ago.
Click to expand...

Those look badly different. Did Libre show fast change? (If so it's known not to be that good, and obviously there's the delay of 10-15 minutes relative to blood.)

Otherwise I agree you can't rely on it and if I were you I'd be complaining to Abbott.
 
Did your daughter feel hypo when she had the very low readings ( and does she normally have good hypo awareness?)
What happened to the readings when you’d treated the hypo?
Did you test the meter with some control solution?

I just ask in case it’s the meter and not the Libre that’s at fault. Because of the known problems with the Libre, it’s easy to make an assumption.
 
A few thoughts
- how long has the sensor been in? The first 24 to 48 hours it can be a bit random as your arm gets used to having a foreign object inserted.
- was her BG falling or rising quickly? As the readings from the sensor are 15 to 20 minutes behind finger pricks, when they are changing quickly, the values can be further out.
- was she dehydrated? This can affect the readings from Libre.
- have you contacted Abbott? They are very good at replacing faulty sensor if you call them. They are no so good at responding to emails or their online chat.
 
I agree - you should contact Abbott who will be able to troubleshoot the sensor and will replace it if it isn’t performing as they expect.

Was it a Freestyle BG meter (eg Optium or the handset itself)? Or a different brand?
 
Robin said:
Did your daughter feel hypo when she had the very low readings ( and does she normally have good hypo awareness?)
What happened to the readings when you’d treated the hypo?
Did you test the meter with some control solution?

I just ask in case it’s the meter and not the Libre that’s at fault. Because of the known problems with the Libre, it’s easy to make an assumption.
Click to expand...


She is completely hypo unaware. Has even dropped to 1.5 with no symptoms. Was break dancing on the rug seconds before we asked her to check her levels.
 
Bruce Stephens said:
Those look badly different. Did Libre show fast change? (If so it's known not to be that good, and obviously there's the delay of 10-15 minutes relative to blood.)

Otherwise I agree you can't rely on it and if I were you I'd be complaining to Abbott.
Click to expand...


It did say dropping quickly so was prepared to be going lower but not that different
 
helli said:
A few thoughts
- how long has the sensor been in? The first 24 to 48 hours it can be a bit random as your arm gets used to having a foreign object inserted.
- was her BG falling or rising quickly? As the readings from the sensor are 15 to 20 minutes behind finger pricks, when they are changing quickly, the values can be further out.
- was she dehydrated? This can affect the readings from Libre.
- have you contacted Abbott? They are very good at replacing faulty sensor if you call them. They are no so good at responding to emails or their online chat.
Click to expand...

Some of the times it happened she was hot and sweaty after dancing, other times settled and ready for bed. They were all really random.
I havn't contacted Abbott yet as I wanted a bit of advice on here first.
 
everydayupsanddowns said:
I agree - you should contact Abbott who will be able to troubleshoot the sensor and will replace it if it isn’t performing as they expect.

Was it a Freestyle BG meter (eg Optium or the handset itself)? Or a different brand?
Click to expand...

It was the free style meter that records both a BG and a ketone. ( the one we also scan her arm with)
 
ky333 said:
It was the free style meter that records both a BG and a ketone. ( the one we also scan her arm with)
Click to expand...

That’s very helpful when you phone Abbott, because that is the technology they prefer as a fingerstick comparison I believe.
 
Thanks everyone for your advice. Just wanted to update you, I have spoken with her DSN who agrees a BG level of 1.9 and being completely unaware is becoming a concern now. Its happened a few times at <2.2 but not down this low. They did initially say she has to seizure before she would be considered completely hypo unaware but have now decided this is low enough and she will be assessed for the Dexcom tomorrow.
 
That’s great news about the Dexcom assessment @ky333 I hope it goes well. It must be a big concern for you and a Dexcom would help enormously.
 
Well what a relief you have confirmation that it ain't just you being a panicky mother, so that's a darn good start. Will keep my fingers and toes crossed that the assessment goes the right way!
 
Thank goodness @ky333!

Hope the assessment goes well and the Dex funding is granted.
 
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