Urgent Question about freestylelibre

[Mariam Agha]

I have been approached by someone who has needles phobia in my support group, asking me if I can recommend this machine, but I am not aware of how accurate the results of this machine.
Can anyone recommend this? https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/libre/

Thanks a lot.

 

[grovesy]

From what I have read from people's posts it can vary from person to person and even from sensor to sensor.

 

[Robin]

I have been approached by someone who has needles phobia in my support group, asking me if I can recommend this machine, but I am not aware of how accurate the results of this machine.
Can anyone recommend this? https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/libre/

Thanks a lot.

I've always had very good results from mine, but I know it hasn't been the same for everyone, it seems either to work very well for you, or not at all.

 

[Radders]

I have been approached by someone who has needles phobia in my support group, asking me if I can recommend this machine, but I am not aware of how accurate the results of this machine.
Can anyone recommend this? https://www.freestylelibre.co.uk/libre/

Thanks a lot.

I love my Libre but it is definitely not a substitute for testing blood so if the reason is wanting to avoid pricking fingers then I would say it wouldn't be suitable.

 

[Bloden]

Mine was terrible to begin with, flying anything from 3 to 5 mmols above my meter readings. Then I started attaching the sensor and waiting 24 hours before activating it. Since then the Libre is more consistent and hovers a mere 2 mmols above finger prick readings. THAT I can cope with!🙂

 

[Ljc]

Hi Mariam. I use the Libre.
The results do vary between a sensor and a BG meter. They should not be used to the treat hypo's as they sample interstitial fluid between the cells ,the glucose reaches this fluid around 15 minutes after it hits blood.
So they will still have to stab their fingers for hypo's else they will overtreat it.
When I put a new sensor on I jab my fingers as well as use a sensor reading to do my bolus till I'm happy alls well, I also bodge my finger at least one a day to check the sensor hasn't gone way out.
It's not supposed to be used for bolusing either.
So it won't cut out fingerpricks.

However I have a vague recollection there is something available for children that may be helpful , but for the life of me I can't remember the name, Someone here may know, or you could contact the helpline.
If your friend is on insulin, covered needles are available.

 

[khskel]

I love it but it's fair to say it complements finget pricking rather than replaces it.
If they are on any meds that can cause hypos and they drive the results are not acceptable to the DVLA

 

[Ljc]

I love it but it's fair to say it complements finget pricking rather than replaces it.
If they are on any meds that can cause hypos and they drive the results are not acceptable to the DVLA

Thanks @khskel i completely forgot about driving regs.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I know some people who have dropped almost all of their fingersticks and used Libre instead (except for driving, of course). While others continue moderate fingerstick usage, so I guess it depends person to person.

I've general had very good usable data from mine. They are not measuring the same thing as blood, so some variation is expected, but generally mine have been 0-1.5mmol/L different from BG meter most of the time.

 

[SB2015]

The Libre has not replaced fingerpricks, which I need driving and premeal to talk to my pump, but it is excellent for seeing patterns in results and to help me make adjustments to ratios and basal rates.

I have two sensors in at the moment as I like to give a new sensor 48 hours before I activate it, so put the new one in two days before the old one runs out so that it is ready for use when needed.

 

[mikeyB]

I love mine, but it does have limitations, the main one being it is around 15 minutes behind a finer prick. In the routine scheme of things that doesn't matter, but it dies when recovering from a hypo, when I revert to fingerpricks. Hypos are less frequent because the machine tells you whether your BG is going up, coming down or is steady.

I use it all the time, some use it for the occasional fortnight. The sensors are expensive, nearly £50 a pop less the VAT, and last a fortnight. I'll be honest, that's not a hardship for me, but it will be for many people. That's why in some circumstances I believe it should be avaiable from diabetes clinics.

 

[Mariam Agha]

Thank you all for your comments.
I will let our group member know about your informative feedback.
Once again thanks for sharing your experiences with me.