Freestyle Libre - Sensor failure rate of 40% (2023)

FAQs

Why does my Libre sensor keep failing? ›

This may mean your Sensor is too hot or too cold. Move to a location where the temperature is appropriate and scan again in a few minutes. This may mean your Sensor was started by another Reader. A Sensor can only be scanned by the Reader that started it.

Freestyle Libre Inaccurate? Inaccuracies in freestyle Libre occur because of two main reasons. Either it does not measure the glucose in the blood, but rather the glucose in the interstitial fluid, or because of user error. There may be some other rare instances that can cause inaccuracies in your Freestyle Libre.

According to Abbott, the FreeStyle Libre 3 boasts an overall mean absolute relative difference, or MARD—a measure of the rate of errors in a device's readings—of 7.9%, making it the first to claim a sub-8% error rate.

Freestyle Libre - Sensor failure rate of 40%

Abbott is initiating a voluntary recall of certain FreeStyle Libre® 2 sensors and are implementing additional measures to address this issue. Please note that no other Abbott diabetes products are affected. Problem/issue: certain sensors from the above lot may provide erroneously high glucose readings.

Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or FreeStyleLibre.us for safety info.

The patient should contact the Abbott Customer Careline on 0800 170 1177 on the day that a problem with the FreeStyle Libre® system is identified, such as the sensor falling off.

If “HI” appears in your reader, your reading is above 500 mg/dL; check your blood glucose again with a test strip. If a second “LO” or “HI” result appears, contact your health care professional immediately.

Patients using FreeStyle Libre scored higher on the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire and Glucose Monitoring Satisfaction Survey, indicating greater overall satisfaction with Abbott's CGM than with fingerstick testing.

Can you scan freestyle Libre too often? ›

Freestyle Libre Scanning Best Practices:

Scan as often as you'd like — there is no limit!

Clinical data for the Dexcom G6® shows it has a MARD (the Mean absolute relative difference) of 9 percent while the FreeStyle® Libre 2 has a 9.3 percent total MARD score (9.2 percent for adults, and 9.7 percent for children). In other words, the Dexcom G6 is slightly more accurate, especially in children.

A lower percent difference reflects a more accurate reading from the CGM. The Freestyle Libre 2 system had a MARD of 9.3%, which improved to 7.9% with the Libre 3 system and is the first CGM system to have a MARD <8%.

Your sensor site may not have been properly cleaned (with an alcohol wipe only). You're bleeding underneath the sensor site. You entered the incorrect transmitter serial number during the insertion process.

Can FreeStyle Libre sensor be reapplied? Can you reattach a FreeStyle libre sensor? This is a straightforward NO…. Unless you're a specialist adhesive manufacturer then you will not be able to reattach the Libre once it's come off…not to mention getting the filament back into the skin.

The Freestyle Libre sensor can't be “restarted”, once the time period is up, then it's finished. Typically Dexcom and Medtronic sensors can be extended if they are still accurate and working. The flash monitoring system does not integrate with insulin pump devices like some CGM devices can.

Freestyle Libre - Sensor failure rate of 40%

We will be discontinuing the original FreeStyle Libre sensors by the end of 2022. If you are using the FreeStyle Libre system and are already using the FreeStyle LibreLink app, speak to your doctor to get the prescription changed to FreeStyle Libre 2 system.

Reminder: FreeStyle Libre Sensor to be deleted from Part IX of the January 2023 Drug Tariff - PSNC Website.

Limited Warranty: Abbott Diabetes Care (“Abbott”) warrants that the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader (“Reader”) and the FreeStyle Libre 2 system reader (“Reader”) shall be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of manufacture or one (1) year from the original date of ...

How many times can you scan freestyle libre in 1 day? ›

For a complete glycaemic picture (to ensure all the data is transferred from you sensor), scan at least once every 8 hours. Most people will want to scan more often anyway- at least 6 times a day is recommended.

Conclusions: FreeStyle Libre's accuracy is adequate during its entire lifetime but is least accurate during its first and last days.

If blood sugar is dropping fast - sensor readings will be higher than finger prick readings. If blood sugar is rising fast - sensor readings will be lower than finger prick readings. Across the day, this still provides a good picture of blood sugar trends, and the lag should not impact most routine treatment decisions.

The FreeStyle Libre system is clinically proven to be accurate, stable and consistent for up to 14 days without the need for fingerprick calibration. The FreeStyle Libre Sensor is factory calibrated and manufactured with minimal Sensor-to-Sensor variation eliminating the need for fingerprick calibration.

Select an area of skin on the back of your upper arm that generally stays flat during normal daily activities (no bending or folding). Avoid areas with moles, scarring or tattoos. Choose a site that is at least 2.5 cm away from an insulin injection site.

The arm and chest sites were most preferred, with the greatest sensor failures from the back. Conclusions: The FSL-CGM is clinically accurate when the sensors are applied to alternate chest or back sites.

Does The FreeStyle Libre Puncture The Skin? The FreeStyle Libre uses a small needle as part of the sensor application process. No needle is left in the site at all, during the 14-day wear.

The only the position under the arm has been clinically evaluated and approved for use of the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor. It is applied on to the back of the upper arm with a simple, disposable device called an applicator. When the sensor is applied, a thin, flexible and sterile fibre is inserted just under the skin.

However, since glucose must be transferred to the interstitial space from the blood, IG is lower and lags behind BG.

You can use the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader or FreeStyle LibreLink app^◊ to scan your FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor and receive your glucose levels and alarms. For a complete glycaemic picture, you must scan your FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor every 8 hours.

Is there a limit on how many times you can scan a Libre sensor? ›

There is no limit on the number of scans, it's wise to scan at least every 8 hours as said above so that you don't lose any data.

Libre and air travel

The FreeStyle Libre can be passed through airport metal detectors so you are okay to keep your sensor on while going through these. It should not be exposed to full-body scanners (i.e. x-ray or millimetre radio-wave).

As with the FreeStyle Libre mentioned above, once your Dexcom sensor falls off, that's it, you need to reapply another one and start over and this can be an expensive exercise.

Medicare considers designated blood glucose monitoring systems, such as FreeStyle Libre, to be durable medical equipment (DME).