[DISCLOSURE – PLEASE READ: The team at Abbott reached out to me and asked if I’d like to trial the Freestyle Libre system. I said yes. After my doctor approved a prescription for the device, Abbott sent out the scanning device and two sensors at no cost to me. This whole review needs that bias lens in place. Good? Good. Thanks for reading.]
I put my first Freestyle Libre system sensor on and fully expected it to be exactly like my Dexcom CGM. And it’s not.
So I tried to realign my expectations when I put the second sensor on. My focus was on what it does, versus what I thought it should be doing.
The Freestyle Libre system is, as I mentioned earlier, very easy to put on. My second sensor was applied while I was in the car, waiting for the gas pump to fill up my car. (It was a little awkward, whipping my arm out of my jacket and installing the sensor, but it was – again – a pain-free insertion.) It doesn’t hurt to wear. And after 20 days of wearing it, the adhesive is really impressive. It didn’t come loose at all and yet didn’t leave an evil suction mark on the back of my arm, so that’s a huge plus. Anything that’s gentle with my skin real estate is a win in my book.
The 12 hour warming up period is still crap, though. Twelve hours?! That’s a long ass time. And both sensors I used were put on around 9 am, which meant I had a whole day without streaming data. The international system queues up in an hour, and I hope that timeframe eventually makes it through the FDA hurdles, because 12 hours sucks.
The results from the FLS (Freestyle Libre system, because I can’t keep typing that over and over again) were consistent, in that they weren’t flouncing all over the place but they were consistently lower when compared to my Freestyle Freedom glucose meter. Every finger stick was higher by about 30 pts. This isn’t a huge deal but it was often the difference between “correct the BG” and “let it ride.” So that was a concern for me, dosing insulin based on these data points.
The ease of checking my blood sugar was … easy. The FLS remains simple to use. Push the button, it makes a bing! noise to prompt a swipe, then swipe past the sensor and bing! again with the result on the screen. And not just the result, but the last 8 hours of my data popped up, too, in addition to a BG directional arrow (much like the standard CGM information I was used to). This is crucial data. Remembering to grab that additional device, though, remains a drawback. I carry enough crap around. Less is more.
The ease of checking actual blood sugar with a finger stick using the FLS was frustrating because the FLS scanner also doubles as a glucose meter, meaning you can put a test strip into it and check your blood sugar. But only if you have Freestyle Precision Neo test strips, which are completely different from the ones I use in my Freestyle Freedom meter, which means I’d need to order a whole new set of test strips in order to use the Libre as a meter and OMG this sentence has so many nouns in it. No. I do not want to order another set of anythings. Why can’t these products, which are part of the same medical family, use the same test strips? Ugh on this one.
I spent the entire duration of my second FLS sensor without my Dexcom sensor on, so I was only tracking BGs via finger sticks and FLS. And for the most part, the lack of alarms were refreshing. Yeah, I feel like a total hypocrite writing that, because the lack of alarms are precisely why I’d never ditch my Dexcom, but I do experience alarm fatigue. (I think I experience all sorts of fatigues …) Not having a device frigging ding, dong, wail all over the place was a nice change of pace. No, my blood sugars weren’t in better or worse control while on the FLS; I just didn’t have any alarms to contend with. It was nice. The quiet was appreciated, especially in a time when lots of other stressors are ding, dong, wailing.
I also uploaded my data from the FLS using Tidepool’s data management service and that was a really gorgeous way to see my data. (Unrelated but related: I signed on to Tidepool for the first time ever and connected my Dexcom G5 data, my Tandem X2 info, and the FLS output and it was easy-peasy. I’ll do a longer post on the Tidepool experience because I need to start looking at/tracking my data again, and Tidepool is my digital weapon of choice.)
Sensor two was a nicer experience than sensor one because I wasn’t bugging out about what the FLS didn’t do. And if I were looking for some mellow BG maintenance, I’d lean on the FLS for sure. Since the cost is minimal by comparison for the FLS, I’m going to purchase a few sensors and keep them on hand for when I’d prefer that data stream over the high-intensity information onslaught of a standard CGM. But, to be entirely honest, I’m better off with a Dexcom at this point because the alarms aid in keeping me accountable. And that accountability is best for me right now.
Overall, this system is a good one. Better than stand-alone finger sticks and a big step forward for the type 1 and type 2 community, and I hope the introduction of this product in the US market inspires even more competition between the companies, giving the diabetes community a broader scope of choices. I hope. I hope.
You’re nearly a be-Libre. Don’t forget it also tests ketones… and nothing extra to carry. A few foil wrapped bg and ketone strips stashed in the silicone cover – you’re good to go. No extra meter to carry. Just a pricker of course – chuck that in too.
That is still my favorite portmanteau. “be-Libre.”
What? It can test BG AND ketones?? I had no ideal!
My son just started using the FLS and loves it–best thing is he checks like 100 times a day now and does quick corrections. Not the usual teenage “I feel ok, I’ll check later” attitude. Plus easy night checks without waking him up. Its early for us, but so far I am a big fan.
Do you know anything about insurance coverage for the FLS? I’m wondering if it is worth looking into for those of us that can’t get a CGM covered,
The easiest way to get insurance to pay for it, is to classify it as “durable medical equipment” and you purchase through a Medical supply company. Insurance companies look at that in a different category then medicine. It is also now covered by Medicare also.
Allen
I was able to get the reader covered by insurance, but, crazy enough, they would not cover the discs. Go figure?
I have to give up my CGM for a few days and I want the FSL to fill the gap. I will get the chance to see how things will work out on January 2.
Just in case you want to get the tune really stuck in your head – a change from Christmas Carols at this time of year.
I thought ‘in-range’ was only true in fairytales…
Meant for someone else but not for me…
D was out to get me
That’s the way it seemed
Diabetes haunted all my dreams..
Then I saw my scan, now I’m a be-Libre
Not a trace, of doubt on my screen.
I’m in love; I’m a be-Libre
I couldn’t leave it if I tried…
Insulin is more or less, a bolus thing
Roller-coaster rides were all I got
What’s the use of trying ?
All you get is shame
When I needed Control, I got blame..
Then I saw my scan, now I’m a be-Libre
Not a trace, of doubt on my graph
I’m in love; I’m a be-Libre
I couldn’t leave it if I tried…
D was out to get me,
Now that’s the way it seemed
Diabetes haunted all my dreams
Then I saw my scan, now I’m a be-Libre
Not a trace, of doubt, on my screen.
I’m in love; I’m a be-Libre
I couldn’t leave it if I tried…
Yes I saw my scan, now I’m a be-libre
Not of trace of doubt on the screen
Said I’m a be-libre, yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
I’m a be-libre
Said I’m a be-libre, yeah
I’m a be-libre
Said I’m a BELIVER yeah
In my Libre !
As someone who can’t easily stop at work for testing, I was excited about the Libre. I paid more than $100 (with insurance) for the reader and ONE sensor. The sensor didn’t work, even though I followed directions exactly. Abbott sent me an e-key for a replacement; after waiting the requisite warm-up 12 hours, the reader said my new sensor was expired and I needed to apply yet another new sensor. I have called Abbott’s Freestyle Libra customer service more than a dozen times. They gave me so much runaround, and refused to replace the second sensor until I raised a stink. If this is the level of quality and service I receive as a brand-new customer, I’m not impressed.
I started to use this device here in China before FDA approved it in US, and now still using it. Just as that mentioned in this article, the data is not that correct comparing to the figure blood especially for the spikes(lower data is OK). The activation time is 1 hour here in China, not 12, that’s crazy. The device is good, but only too expensive, I do hope there are more competitors appearing on the market and make this kind device more cheaper so everyone can use it.
Thanks for review.
Hello Kerri, try Glimp Application ( for Android phones) , you can use it instead of FSL reader , I tried it and it is
Libre should be looked at differently than Dexcom. The lack of alarms is a serious limitation for people who get hypo at night and do not awaken. I am one of those or at least was in the past, and it could have and nearly did cost me my life. Alarm fatigue is a real problem but if you want a break then it makes more sense to me to shut all your Dexcom alarms off. You’ll still have the 55 protecting you. And your brain. To state the obvious-
If the smoke alarm in your house goes off at 2 am and it is a false alarm you are legitimately ticked. But if the house was on fire, the problem is the fire not the alarm….
Also the tendency to run lower is real. The fda submitted data showed that about 40% of the time when Libre indicated you were less than 70 you were not. And it missed about 15% of the time when you were actually below 70. I used it along with dex and finger sticks for the last 8 days and personally found it to be pretty good in the 100 to 240 range but often lower or much lower below 100. It also is subject to compression artifact as is dex which was not clear to me before using it. The local reps did not know what I was talking about when I asked them about it.
It’s great to have choices , and a cheaper alternative to traditional cgm is needed. Not everyone has difficulty detecting hypoglycemia. So it is great that Libre is here. But I also think it is important for people who use it to understand what it can and can’t do and applaud Kerri for devoting so much space to discuss it
happy holidays 🙂
Nick, what is compression artifact?
What Beth said. 🙂
I’ve had #2 sensor fall off and #4 sensor not reading after the 12 hr warm up period. Annoying and expensive problems!
The Libre is in my opinion, useless. I’ve been using it for a solid 8 days, and have been checking my blood glucose with my meter regularly (5x a day) because the Libre is consistently inaccurate and the readings are always lower than my actual blood glucose level. And their help desk, is a call center who I’m pretty sure is not US based. I’m 100% dissatisfied. I’m anxious for Dexcom’s new technology and hope it’s smaller and easier to insert because at least Dexcom was consistently accurate!
I am also having a problem with my readings being inconsistent. I paid a lot of money for everything, I am very disappointed and looking at the Dexcom,
I’ve had the Freestyle Libre for about a month now and using it has already resulted in a significant drop in my average blood glucose readings. That said, there are numerous issues with this machine that make it frustrating to use. As Kerri noted, the 12-hour warmup time is ridiculous and there is no way around it. You can install a new sensor with the old one still in place, but it doesn’t start the warmup time until it’s scanned, de-activating the old sensor even if there is time remaining in its 10-day life. I have used three sensors so far and two of them have been defective, resulting in multiple error messages every day and spans of an hour or more in which no readings could be taken. The touchscreen is terrible. It’s so lacking in sensitivity that I sometimes have to press it multiple times for a response. The accuracy of readings is not what it should be, This is potentially a powerful tool for BG control, but Abbott needs to make improvements before it is fully ready for prime time.
I’ve had the FLS for a month now and love it, it has really helped me tighten my control. I love being able to see my BG and which way it is heading in a second with out finger sticking! Personally my readings have never been more the 10 off what a finger stick reads but maybe just beginners luck. I do agree that the 12 hour warm up time is absolutely ridiculous, FLS and the FDA need to get this fixed and reduced to the Europe and Canada standard of 1 hour! Also agree that the reader needs some improvement, put a bit more money into it and make it perform and feel like the cutting edge pice of technology that it is! If you can get your insurance to help with the cost I say go for it! I would also recommend getting a pack of Simpatch bandage covers made for the FLS censor, they work great. Makes it virtually impossible to lose the censor from snagging it on something or sweating to much, not super cheap but cheaper than having to by another censor.
I have been a diabetic for 40 years. My fingers are terrible.
When my Dr. recommended FreeStyle Libre I was so excited to try this so I could save my fingers.
Well the Libre sensor is 30 points less than a finger stick.
Now I have to have blood work to prove which is better. I’m
So disappointed. My insurance was billed around $900.
I will be asking for a full refund.
I love the freestyle libre, but I have been itching where the senor is at. I just took one off and it was all red and and it looks like my skin is irrated. Maybe I’m having an allergic reaction but it would seem impossible since I’ve had it for almost a year.
Each 14-day sensor patch comes with a simple applicator to apply it to the upper arm. The insertion process took us less than 15 seconds, could be done with one hand, and passed the no-instruction-manual test with flying colors – (i) press sensor onto applicator; and (ii) press applicator onto upper arm. Pain wise, Kelly found the upper arm insertion completely painless, and she tends to be very pain sensitive. Adam experienced a bit of pain, as the spot he chose did not have very much subcutaneous fat. However, for both Adam and Kelly, insertion was much easier, more intuitive, and less painful than inserting the Dexcom G4 Platinum and Medtronic Enlite sensors. The FreeStyle Libre sensor is very tiny – only 0.2 inches – making it over three times shorter (roughly) than the Dexcom and Medtronic devices.