FreeStyle Libre Troubleshooting: Aches and Errors

A few of the commonest questions now we have in our Diabetes Day by day discussion board — a significant group of considerate, skilled individuals with diabetes! — concern the FreeStyle Libre, the favored steady glucose monitor (CGM) made by Abbott. The Freestyle fashions are sometimes inexpensive than the competing Dexcom fashions (relying in your medical insurance), they usually’re a lot simpler to entry in some components of the world.

There are three FreeStyle Libre generations accessible in the present day in the USA and lots of different international locations:

• The latest version is known as the FreeStyle Libre 3, and we expect it’s nearly the most effective CGM ever launched. It’s the smallest and least obtrusive CGM ever, and has all of the options you need, together with automated minute-by-minute updates and 14-day sensor size.
• The older mannequin, the FreeStyle Libre 2, continues to be broadly accessible and nonetheless beloved by many. One main draw back to the Libre 2 is that it’s, strictly talking, a flash glucose monitor somewhat than a steady glucose monitor. It doesn’t routinely ship new blood sugar measurements to your smartphone — it’s a must to scan the sensor manually by waving your telephone inside 1.5 inches of it. (The Libre 2 will nonetheless sound alarms for high and low blood sugar measurements with out scanning.)
• A model new model of the Libre 2 has simply hit the market: the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus. This mannequin is type of a hybrid of the Libre 2 and Libre 3. It makes use of the considerably bigger Libre 2 sensor, nevertheless it has two vital enhancements: it doesn’t require guide scanning, and it’s authorised to be used in a “closed loop” automated insulin supply system with the t:slim X2 insulin pump. It’s the solely Libre CGM in the USA that can be utilized in a closed loop system.

The FreeStyle Libre CGMs are nice at what they do, however we all know that a number of points hold popping up, so we thought we’d write a troubleshooting information:

My FreeStyle Libre Exhibits Low/Excessive Blood Sugar. My Fingerstick Doesn’t.

A few of our group members have complained that their FreeStyle Libre appears much less correct, particularly relating to excessive or low glucose numbers.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 and three, similar to the Dexcom G6, are FDA-approved for use with out fingerstick calibration — that’s, the system meets the accuracy requirements set by federal regulators.

With that mentioned, loads of customers are no less than just a little bit skeptical about their CGMs, and when doubtful are likely to belief their conventional glucose meters. A CGM samples interstitial fluid (not blood), which truly reveals what your blood glucose degree was about 10 minutes in the past. And the proof does counsel that the most effective glucose displays are, in truth, extra correct than a CGM system: How Correct are Blood Sugar Meters and Steady Glucose Displays, Actually?

In actuality, skilled customers typically think about a number of items of proof when deciding how you can deal with low or excessive blood sugar: not simply the CGM and glucose meter outcomes, but in addition their signs and their understanding of the previous couple of hours of blood sugar decision-making. For instance, “Did I simply train?” or “Did I neglect to snack?” Our recommendation is that you simply don’t must depend on the Libre fully. Use it as one in all a number of methods to make glucose administration choices.

My FreeStyle Libre is At all times Inaccurate at First

Many customers discover that the Libre is inaccurate for the primary 12-48 hours. That’s as a result of it is much less correct. The producer’s personal accuracy research present that the sensor takes a day or two to essentially get into the groove.

If that’s the case for you, our recommendation is “don’t sweat it.” Simply take these first readings with a grain of salt (see above) and wait to your sensor to hopefully hit its stride.

In case your sensor stays inaccurate after a number of days, it is perhaps time to name Abbott and allow them to know. They might resolve to switch your sensor for you.

My Sensors Maintain Failing

Sadly, some customers expertise a excessive fee of sensor failure. Sensors which are imagined to final 14-15 days might not make it that lengthy, come what may.

The answer? Make a remark of the difficulty, write down any error codes, after which name Abbott and clarify your downside. They’re often completely happy to ship you a brand new sensor to switch the one which didn’t work out, and most of our discussion board members have been happy with the extent of customer support.

Error – Attempt Once more in X Hours

Some customers repeatedly get these irritating error codes after they swipe their smartphone over their FreeStyle sensor. If it does lastly work, typically the Libre has no glucose knowledge for the earlier 8 hours.

There’s no repair to this downside, to our information. Simply keep it up, and belief your conventional glucose meter within the meantime. If the sensor by no means comes again to life, name Abbott and request a substitute. They’re often completely happy to take action.

Do I Must Put on it on My Arm?

You’re supposed to put on it on the again of the arm — that’s the one location the Libre is authorised for. Nevertheless, as with the Dexcom, customers have discovered different places that they like simply as a lot, with little or no obvious lack of accuracy.

Different spots that may work to your Libre, when you choose, embrace the thighs, the stomach or lovehandles, the hip, the higher butt, or higher chest.

Whereas these various websites appear to work simply advantageous, it might pay to be cautious. A 2018 examine of the Libre advised that the higher thigh performs simply in addition to the higher arm, however that the stomach “carried out unacceptably poorly.” Simply remember that you simply’re not following the official tips.

My Sensor Hurts My Arm

Most individuals discover the FreeStyle Libre sensor is totally painless. However a minority of customers do complain about ache from insertion that won’t go away throughout subsequent days. In case your sensor results in persistent ache, we’d advocate attempting a brand new website, particularly one that’s fattier or fleshier. Possibly use much less strain once you insert the sensor. The nearer your sensor is to a muscle, the extra issues it appears to trigger.

My Sensor Retains Falling Off

Whether or not it’s sweat, muggy climate, swimming, or bumps into door frames, sensors have an annoying and doubtlessly costly behavior of falling off. CGM customers have devised some ways to enhance adhesion, together with the next:

• Wash your pores and skin with cleaning soap and water earlier than insertion to take away grease and filth. Shaving might assist too.
• Put together your pores and skin with Pores and skin-Tac adhesive wipes. That is principally a glue that helps the sensor’s adhesive stick higher to your pores and skin.
• Tape over the sensor with clear medical tape, equivalent to OpSite FlexFix.
• Buy a specially-made adhesive to your CGM — a few of these rugged stickers might be present in cool colours and designs, and are lower to suit a Freestyle Libre completely.
• Buy a specially-made armband that matches round your higher arm.
• Experiment with a brand new placement much less more likely to obtain bumps and bruises.

The Adhesive Irritates My Pores and skin

Some sufferers expertise gentle or severe pores and skin irritation in response to the sticky stuff that Abbott makes use of on the Libre sensor. Signs might embrace rash and itchiness, or worse. CGM producers have been altering their chemical substances to attempt to discover mixes which have the least influence on delicate sufferers, however these options might not aid you.

First, attempt washing your pores and skin earlier than making use of the sensor. Pores and skin prep protecting wipes, which kind a sticky barrier between the tape and your pores and skin, may additionally be useful.

You may also experiment with several types of tapes and discover one that doesn’t irritate your pores and skin. In case you discover one, lower out a patch with a gap within the heart for the sensor’s wire, connect that to your pores and skin first, after which apply the Libre to the tape. This can be much less sturdy, however a lot of the Libre’s adhesive materials gained’t be touching your pores and skin.

There’s a complete Fb group devoted to this problem: Dexcom and Libre Rash. That group numbers over 15,000 — undoubtedly somebody has had the identical actual problem and is prepared that will help you together with your downside.