Derrick Baughan
Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1.5 LADA
Has anyone else kept a track of the failure rate of the sensor?
I have just started with the system. A 'trial' where I was issued a reader and one sensor, at the hospital but by a company rep. Clearly not a trial in the true sense of the word. More a marketing ploy to create demand. Although there is nothing inherently wrong with that. I am now self-funding the sensors until my CCG (Cambridgeshire) approve the use.
The system is a step change in how I manage my diabetes and I find it extremely useful. However, I now have my 5th sensor on and, after 4 days, it looks like it is failing. I keep getting the error message that glucose readings are not available, try again in a few minutes.
This will be the 2nd of 5 sensors to fail, a rate of 40%. Tomorrow I ring Abbot up to see what they have to say. Anyone else had a similar experience or am I just the unlucky one to get the Friday afternoon sensors?
Full marks to Abbot. I phoned them up and they did not quibble about sending me a new sensor. I also mentioned that the reader touch screen function was intermittent and they are sending a replacement reader as well.
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.
Can a freestyle Libre sensor be faulty? ›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.
What is the failure rate of Libre 3? ›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.
How often do Libre sensors fail? ›Freestyle Libre - Sensor failure rate of 40%
Which FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor is recalled? ›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.
How do I report a bad Libre sensor? ›Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at 855-632-8658 or FreeStyleLibre.us for safety info.
How do I report a failed Libre sensor? ›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.
How can I improve my FreeStyle Libre accuracy? ›...
5 Actions that improve Libre sensor accuracy
- Choose an appropriate time to apply the sensor when levels are stable.
- Keep your body hydrated.
- Get moving.
- Improve the quality of your sleep.
- Avoid stressful situations.
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.
Which is more accurate Libre or finger stick? ›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.
Is the Libre 3 more accurate than the Libre 2? ›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%.
Why do CGM sensors fail? ›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 a Libre 2 sensor be reapplied? ›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.
Can you restart a FreeStyle Libre sensor? ›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.
How often do FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors fail? ›Freestyle Libre - Sensor failure rate of 40%
Is FreeStyle Libre sensor being discontinued? ›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.
Is FreeStyle Libre being discontinued? ›Reminder: FreeStyle Libre Sensor to be deleted from Part IX of the January 2023 Drug Tariff - PSNC Website.
What is the warranty on FreeStyle Libre sensor? ›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.
Does FreeStyle Libre get less accurate? ›Conclusions: FreeStyle Libre's accuracy is adequate during its entire lifetime but is least accurate during its first and last days.
Why is my FreeStyle Libre reading higher than finger stick? ›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.
How often does the FreeStyle Libre need to be calibrated? ›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.
Where is the best place to put Libre 2 sensor? ›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.
Where is the best place to put the Libre sensor? ›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 leave a needle in your arm? ›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.
Does it matter which arm for FreeStyle Libre? ›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.
Is interstitial glucose higher than blood glucose? ›However, since glucose must be transferred to the interstitial space from the blood, IG is lower and lags behind BG.
How many times can you scan a Libre 2 sensor? ›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.
Can FreeStyle Libre go through metal detector? ›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.
Is FreeStyle Libre durable medical equipment? ›Medicare considers designated blood glucose monitoring systems, such as FreeStyle Libre, to be durable medical equipment (DME).