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Sensor error – repeat accuracy

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This thread is now closed. Please contact Anna DUK, Ieva DUK or everydayupsanddowns if you would like it re-opened.
Fagor

Fagor

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
Recently started using Libre and first sensor was fine, but second has given “sensor error – repeat in 10 mins” at least once per day. Abbott are sending a replacement.

Repeat readings taken each time after 10mins, but wonder if any users have any idea if these repeat readings are accurate? The values all seem reasonable, and match how I feel.

Thanks
 
The only thing to do is check with a finger prick and see and for important things like bolus calculations or if you feel hypo etc but just use the sensor as a guide at other times until you get your new sensor. Could be that the filament didn't bed in correctly when inserting the sensor for some reason.
The only time I have had that message is when it has started to come adrift in the shower and I have tried to hold it in place until I could tape it down, but if the filament gets dislodged then it is goosed and it continually gives you that message until it fails altogether and tells you to start a new sensor.
Hope the new one arrives swiftly and works better. The customer services at Abbott are pretty good about replacing problem sensors.
 
I have only had the odd one that has come up with sensor error. I placed an order from Abbott end of last week , it arrived yesterday.
 
Had this happen, usually follow up readings are accurate enough, keeps happening again with replacement sensor could be software issue on reader mobile phone.
 
Thanks all - waiting for new sensor, probably have to send old one back.

Will continue with current sensor as BGs are similar to last one, checking if rapid changes. It's more annoying than wrong. And first error occurred on first scan before doing anything that might have disturbed sensor.

J
 
I have had several issues from knocking them off myself (walked into a doorway) to completely faulty from first attaching it or just because the sensor gave up after a few days. Abbott’s are always very obliging and replace them within a few days.
More recently, since they updated the app, they can be contrary and say try again in 10 minutes or not show the score etc. Turning the phone off for a few seconds usually improve its performance for a while. I assume the new app is more suited to Libra 2 but I don’t know for sure
 
I use a "watch strap" thingy for extra protection and it's towards the inside of my arm to avoid doorways attacking it.
I only use the Libre reader, as my smart phone isn't very smart.
 
Fagor said:
I use a "watch strap" thingy for extra protection and it's towards the inside of my arm to avoid doorways attacking it.
I only use the Libre reader, as my smart phone isn't very smart.
Click to expand...
Both of ours are incapable of such things as scanning QR codes or reading Libre sensors. Hence had we been able to go in any pubs since March we'd have had to write our names and addresses down for them, which is not exactly ideal. But since that hasn't actually inconvenienced us, and the Libre reader and my BG meter both work fine, we haven't chosen to invest in anything more modern. If it does inconvenience us though, we'd have probably coughed up.

My (second) husband was one of the first people I ever met who'd had a mobile phone for over 10 years - cos he originally invested in one when his dad was seriously ill in the mid/late1960s. Couple of businessmen I've known in the past had one - but nobody ordinary really!
 
Replacement sensor applied and Ok so far, but now back on right arm. Took 6 days from my first eMail - given COVID, Christmas and my location, credit to Abbott and Royal Mail. Sending back sensor - I made a mess of the bio-hazard bags instructions, strange wording to me.

For info, I had my last mobile for 10 years (and still using my Win7 2009 PC off-line)
 
I was a libre and libre2 user for 3 years and I know it’s against the guidance but I used to apply the sensor on the side of my chest about 2 inches below my armpit, never had errors or had any fall off, I use my chest for my guardian 3 CGM sensor now after losing a couple when I applied to my tummy, I’m finger pricking 4 times a day so I know the data is good from the sensor. Just swap sides every week
 
Paulbreen said:
I was a libre and libre2 user for 3 years and I know it’s against the guidance but I used to apply the sensor on the side of my chest about 2 inches below my armpit, never had errors or had any fall off, I use my chest for my guardian 3 CGM sensor now after losing a couple when I applied to my tummy, I’m finger pricking 4 times a day so I know the data is good from the sensor. Just swap sides every week
Click to expand...

Accuracy also good on chest?

Find libre is less accurate on left arm compared to right, no idea why. Time lag also longer so would like to try alternative site.
 
Yesterday my Libre was at odds with itself, on two occasions the graph showed in the green zone but the log recorded higher. It wasn’t by much so I didn’t take any action. Perhaps it’s me? Worn on my wrist for a week a watch can gain up to an hour?? Whatever, I love my Libre and thank it for giving me more confidence and independence.
Merry Christmas to all and cheers to anyone else in Tier 4!!
 
nonethewiser said:
Accuracy also good on chest?

Find libre is less accurate on left arm compared to right, no idea why. Time lag also longer so would like to try alternative site.
Click to expand...

nonethewiser said:
The side of the chest worked fine for me. When I was using the libre I would check it with a finger prick every couple of days if I remembered and it was always more or less ok, I would rely more on how I was feeling, I’m lucky I feel hypo coming on at 3.8 and hyper would start at 8.0.
Click to expand...
 
A 9.4 DP affected this morning and a second second sunny morning here, off for a walk before breakfast now, have a wonderful day despite the Covid everyone!
 
Annemarie said:
Yesterday my Libre was at odds with itself, on two occasions the graph showed in the green zone but the log recorded higher. It wasn’t by much so I didn’t take any action. Perhaps it’s me? Worn on my wrist for a week a watch can gain up to an hour?? Whatever, I love my Libre and thank it for giving me more confidence and independence.
Merry Christmas to all and cheers to anyone else in Tier 4!!
Click to expand...
I know that as Libre is reading something different from BG there can often be mismatches. I tend to use mine to help head off the highs and lows, and also to look for patterns. If it is way out it is worth contacting Abbott.
 
@SB2015 Good point but I use my mobile to read it so I’ll see how it goes for a few days incase it’s my phone.
Feeling very down today so probably making things worse ‘cos I’m eating a mince pie but it’s Oooh Soooo yummy!
 
There is a different error message if the sensor filament is not bedded in correctly. The ten minute message implies a temporary glitch (bit like turning off you computer then turning it on again). The readings stay as accurate as they ever are.

As far as fitting the sensor to other available parts of your anatomy, Abbott won't replace any faulty sensors, because you are not conforming to their rules of application. And they must have chosen the arm for a reason, probably to ensure that no veins near the surface are pierced.
 
They won’t know that you haven’t put the sensor in your arm unless you tell them though, will they!
No reason why you shouldn’t be able to put them anywhere else, it just hasn’t been tested.
Having said that though, we always found they worked perfectly well on the arms and never put them anywhere else.
 
mikeyB said:
There is a different error message if the sensor filament is not bedded in correctly. The ten minute message implies a temporary glitch (bit like turning off you computer then turning it on again). The readings stay as accurate as they ever are.

As far as fitting the sensor to other available parts of your anatomy, Abbott won't replace any faulty sensors, because you are not conforming to their rules of application. And they must have chosen the arm for a reason, probably to ensure that no veins near the surface are pierced.
Click to expand...
I do a lot of physical work so I was just experimenting with finding a good spot for it where it wouldn’t get caught on anything and it worked well in that area. In the summer 2018 abbot had an issue with the adhesive and I had a couple come off, from my arm and the chest and there was no question from them where it was located on my body.
some people do like to follow the rules and I do see a lot of complaints here about sensors getting knocked off arms but I’m more than curious to see if there is a better way to suit me and I wouldn’t tell anyone to put the sensor anywhere other than the recommended sites I’m just sharing my personal experience.
I do it with my CGM sensor and I found the best place for me is on the front of my chest, comfortable and out of the way and the BG measurements are always within a cats hair of the finger prick test I do 4 times per day
 
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