Tired of finger pricks

[gail2]

as the thread says im tired of the constant every day finger pricks I keep seeing devices adverts on tv
Wot are my choices as a T2 insulin requiring diabetic
i would be self funding
would they be compartabe with a Samsung glaxley

 

[JimmyBlue]

Depends on the devices @gail2. If it is things like the glucose monitoring watches or rings, then I would say don't bother as they are inaccurate and are not something a person with diabetes can depend on. In fact in the USA the the FDA has advised diabetics against using them.

The CGM devices (Libre, Dexcom, etc.) are useful and they have apps that will work on a Samsung Galaxy phone, but they can have issues (compression lows) and can be about 15 mins behind the curve in terms of where your BG is at a specific time so sometimes a finger prick test might still be needed. Their benefit is that they can give you a time based overview of your BG allowing you to see how meals/snacks impact your BG.

As you are on insulin I am not sure what the rules are for finger prick testing, I have just moved to a twice a day regime with a test when I get up/just before breakfast and one two hours after my evening meal. This let's me address my two current issues of high ketones after running and BG spikes after dinner as my wife and I experiment with deserts.

 

[Quill]

I’ve just had to switch from Samsung Galaxy A05s back to iPhone as Dexcom One+ and Libre aren’t compatible with the model I was using and carrying around 2 phones was a pain in the bum - so definitely make sure you check compatibility lists on their websites first.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

as the thread says im tired of the constant every day finger pricks I keep seeing devices adverts on tv
Wot are my choices as a T2 insulin requiring diabetic
i would be self funding
would they be compartabe with a Samsung glaxley

I’ve had 3 Galaxys over the years. If the librelink downloads they’ve all worked with Libres, for me. Just don’t completely ditch the finger pricks you may need to check any discrepancies? Time to talk to your consultant. They should prescribe them?

 

[Pam123]

I have a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and it works fine on my Libre

 

[Satan’s little helper]

@gail2 ’s is the Galaxy A16 5G from memory? A quick google says it’s all good with the libre. You’re in luck. Another topic here seems to confirm it.

N

Thread 'Libre 2 sensor compatibility with samsung A16'

Feb 5, 2025

Hi, I have a libre 2 sensor and it works OK with my Samsung A12 but I need to update the phone.
Looking at a Samsung A16 but the lady in Tesco wasn't sure if the libre 2 would work OK with it (it doesn't work on the A15 either apparently).
I've phoned the libre 2 helpline and all they said was that the A16 was untested !

Does anyone have any experience/ advice ?
Thanks
Nic

• NicF
• Replies: 6
• Forum: General Message Board

 

[helli]

A CGM is great but only if you understand its limitations.
Sadly, these are not publicised by the manufacturers or HCP. as a result, trhere are complaints about accuracy or worse confusion about diabetes management.
The key point (as mentioned above) is that they do not replace all fingerpricks.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

they do not replace all fingerpricks.

I wouldn’t disagree. But. My recent experience in the last 2 weeks since “changing to the plus.” (Though technically I haven’t been issued them yet, dispite the prescription stating so.) I have a practice manager looking to phase my strips out & a nurse on the last check up after a BP test & noticing I use a Libre, (avoiding the Libber arm.) just take down what my phone said at the time? Lol. She was actually reading from the Juggluco widget.

 

[Chelseagirl]

I’m a T2 on insulin and I’m self funding. I have a Dexcom One+. Costs £88 per month on subscription. You can get a free one to try if you go on their webpage. The One+ can be calibrated to get closer to your actual blood glucose and I usually get mine within 0.5 of a mmol. I have found that, apart from a couple of iffy ones (which Dexcom have replaced) mine are pretty accurate.

 

[Chelseagirl]

I’ve had 3 Galaxys over the years. If the librelink downloads they’ve all worked with Libres, for me. Just don’t completely ditch the finger pricks you may need to check any discrepancies? Time to talk to your consultant. They should prescribe them?

There are several more criteria to prescribe to a T2 on insulin, amd it can be a postcode lottery as to wether you get it or not.

 

[Lucyr]

as the thread says im tired of the constant every day finger pricks I keep seeing devices adverts on tv
Wot are my choices as a T2 insulin requiring diabetic
i would be self funding
would they be compartabe with a Samsung glaxley

How often are you testing? What is the purpose of each test and what do you do based on the results?

Maybe the answer is simply to reduce testing.

 

[gail2]

How often are you testing? What is the purpose of each test and what do you do based on the results?

Maybe the answer is simply to reduce testing.

i test on waking , nurse teats when she comes at 845-930 to give me my insulin. and just at night
Maybe i should have said i have neuropathy in my fingers as well
i can afford self funding and will seek advice from the Else B center (diabetic clinic) at N&N hospital
Thank you all for your replys your continued support means a lot
gail

 

[Lucyr]

i test on waking , nurse teats when she comes at 845-930 to give me my insulin. and just at night

You don’t need both a waking test and a pre insulin test given the insulin dose is not adjusted based on the result. So could drop one or both of those

The night one depends, if you ever need to eat something based on the result (ie not hypo but lower than you want before bed) then you might want to keep that one.

 

[gail2]

You don’t need both a waking test and a pre insulin test given the insulin dose is not adjusted based on the result. So could drop one or both of those

The night one depends, if you ever need to eat something based on the result (ie not hypo but lower than you want before bed) then you might want to keep that one.

i need the morning one to testthat im not hypo the nurse one nurse insists on testing to cheak my levels are not to low to admister insulin

 

[Lucyr]

i need the morning one to testthat im not hypo the nurse one nurse insists on testing to cheak my levels are not to low to admister insulin

you should know if you’re hypo based on symptoms, and you’d still give Lantus if hypo. Are you hypo unaware?

 

[Merluza]

Whatever you do don't buy the things you see advertised on TV and elsewhere, the non-invasive ones. They don't work and your nurse will still insist on a finger prick.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

you should know if you’re hypo based on symptoms, and you’d still give Lantus if hypo. Are you hypo unaware?

Sorry? Can you elaborate? If I was low/hypo, I would never administer any insulin until my BGs had been brought back to a stable condition. Even my basal can sometimes cause a low after it’s meant to be or has tailed off?

 

[gail2]

you should know if you’re hypo based on symptoms, and you’d still give Lantus if hypo. Are you hypo unaware?

im not on lantus my trained nurse will not give it if im hypo (below 4) This is standard practice im not always hypo aware i am 95% of the time but every so often i get the sneaky one that creeps up on me

 

[gail2]

Whatever you do don't buy the things you see advertised on TV and elsewhere, the non-invasive ones. They don't work and your nurse will still insist on a finger prick.

Merluza know if it sounds to good to be true it is Thanks mind you there seems to be a lot on social media about them and i dont trust anything on social media

 

[Lucyr]

Sorry? Can you elaborate? If I was low/hypo, I would never administer any insulin until my BGs had been brought back to a stable condition. Even my basal can sometimes cause a low after it’s meant to be or has tailed off?

Long acting insulin takes hours to start working, it’s fine, in my experience, to take it so long as you’re treating the hypo. If you’ve tested on waking not hypo, and not taken any insulin, and don’t feel hypo, then you’re unlikely to suddenly be hypo at 8:45 when the nurse gives you your basal. If you delay the basal, you may end up going too high as there will be a gap in insulin coverage as well as the hypo treatment. Obviously you don’t take rapid acting when low as that works quicker but Gail isn’t on a rapid acting.