Top Reasons to Get a Freestyle Libre

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Top Reasons to Get a Freestyle Libre

What the Freestyle Libre represents and its function are entirely new concepts in the world of monitoring glucose levels.

Not only does the convenience factor help boost the benefits of a Freestyle Libre, but it is also more affordable than most continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and provides greater testing than blood glucose testing. It also frees the patients from the pain of fingersticks.

In this article, we’re going to help lay out a few of our top reasons why you should consider making the switch to the Freestyle Libre.

How does Freestyle Libre Work?

For Freestyle Libre to work, you need to have a small round sensor applied on the backside of your upper arm.

The sensor is a round disc, the size of a coin and is 35 mm in diameter and 5 mm high. You apply the sensor underneath your skin using a handheld applicator. The application process is not painful and the sensor can last up to 14 days.

Within the 14 days, you can scan the sensor using the handset that then sends your sugar level data of the previous 8 hours to the Freestyle Libre reading monitor.

During scanning, you do not just get the glucose readings, but also you can see whether your sugar levels are stable or fluctuating.

Why Get a Freestyle Libre?

There are several potential benefits of getting yourself a Freestyle Libre including the following:

Minimum initial cost: The initial cost of Freestyle Libre is minimal to the clinic as they only send disposable portions of the system with the patients.

Patients do not need to sanitize any reusable parts and the healthcare professional keeps the handheld device for reading the sensor. They can also use it for all patients.

LibreView, which is the reporting and downloading software, is also free to the clinic.

The Freestyle Libre is available at Abbott’s Freestyle Libre website at the time of writing for the following prices:

  • Starter Pack – two 14 days sensors plus a reader for 159.95 Pounds
  • Freestyle Libre Reader – 57.95 Pounds
  • Freestyle Libre Sensor – 57.95 Pounds

Available in retail pharmacies: Patients can find Freestyle Libre in most retail pharmacies.

Compared to other Continuous Glucose Monitors in the market, Freestyle Libre does not need special authorizations to be distributed. It may take months for other CGM systems to be delivered for the first time to the patient after they decide to wear a CGM device—whereas they can easily access the Freestyle Libre.

No acetaminophen interference: Freestyle Libre is the only CGM system where the readings are not interfered when the patient takes acetaminophen.

Medtronic and Dexcom CGM systems show high glucose readings, which may be false whenever the patients take acetaminophen.

No need for calibration: To maintain the accuracy of the Freestyle Libre reading, you do not need to calibrate the sensor with blood glucose meter readings.

This is because Freestyle Libre allows the patient to collect valuable glucose data even if they have not been consistent in monitoring their blood glucose levels.

Coordinate care in any healthcare setting: Freestyle Libre can be an effective way to provide care to patients in any healthcare setting.

This is because 14 days after the system has been placed at the provider’s clinic, patients can send their sensor back to the provider and any therapeutic changes that need to be made can be done through a phone call, the patient’s portal or the electronic medical record.

Minimal sensor disturbances: Patients can carry on with their daily activities with minimum disturbance from the sensor.

This is because the sensor is discreet and small—the size of a quarter—and the patient can wear it for at least 10 to 14 days without having to change it out.

Power in the data: Freestyle Libre provides similar data to that of other CGMs as long as the patient scans the sensor at least once every 8 hours.

Freestyle Libre may lack the ability to alert the patient when their glucose levels go down like other CGM systems, however, the lower price tag means that some patients will not be put off from using Freestyle Libre due to lack of alerts.

Freestyle Libre also allows the patient to review the graphs of their sugar levels particularly after a full night of sleeping. This means that the patient can see if their sugar levels have been low during the night and can make significant changes in their daily lives to reduce the risk of any future nocturnal hypos.

Glucose levels readings: Freestyle Libre provides the glucose levels readings by measuring glucose in the interstitial fluid and not in the blood.

The interstitial fluid acts as a reservoir of nutrients in the body including glucose for the body cells. This is the same method that is used by continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to measure sugar levels.

While the sugar levels from interstitial fluid readings have a close match to blood sugar readings, there can be a little bit of difference which may not be large but significant when the sugar levels are low. Therefore, to check for accuracy, it is important to do some tests for blood glucose levels if you think there is a hypo.

Other benefits of getting a Freestyle Libre are:

  • The need to take blood glucose tests reduces significantly.
  • The sensor is waterproof in up to 1 meter of water, meaning you can still swim.
  • The LibreLink app helps notify the patients’ parents and/or caregivers of any hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia events.

Get a Freestyle Libre Today

It can be hard to take care of your loved one with diabetes—especially if they live far away from you.

The Freestyle Libre can allow caregivers to track glucose levels of their loved ones using the app. The Freestyle Libre makes it easy for patients to monitor their glucose levels and the app is currently supported in more than 30 countries, including the USA.

However, if you are not confident about the accuracy of the blood sugar readings, contact your healthcare provider for assistance and confirmation.

CALL US TO QUALIFY NOW

If you are not insured, or have a high deductible health insurance plan, you can still purchase the Freestyle Libre Reader and Sensors at extremely competitive prices. Prices starting as low as $99 per month

1-888-308-0094

*Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings when you suspect readings may be in accurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

Reference 1: Data on file. Abbott Diabetes Care. 2, FreeStyle Libre 14 day User’s Manual

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 14 day Flash Glucose Monitoring systems are continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices indicated for replacing blood glucose testing and detecting trends and tracking patterns aiding in the detection of episodes of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, facilitating both acute and long-term therapy adjustments in persons (age 18 and older) with diabetes. The systems are intended for single patient use and require a prescription.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Remove the sensor before MRI, CT scan, X-ray, or diathermy treatment.

WARNINGS/LIMITATIONS: Do not ignore symptoms that may be due to low or high blood glucose, hypoglycemic unawareness, or dehydration. Check sensor glucose readings with a blood glucose meter when Check Blood Glucose symbol appears, when symptoms do not match system readings, or when readings are suspected to be inaccurate. The system does not have alarms unless the sensor is scanned, and the system contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed. The system is not approved for pregnant women, persons on dialysis, or critically-ill population. Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm and standard precautions for transmission of blood borne pathogens should be taken. The built-in blood glucose meter is not for use on dehydrated, hypotensive, in shock, hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar state, with or without ketosis, neonates, critically-ill patients, or for diagnosis or screening of diabetes. When using FreeStyle LibreLink app, access to a blood glucose monitoring system is required as the app does not provide one. Review all product information before use or contact Abbott Toll Free (855-632-8658) or visit www.freestylelibre.us for detailed indications for use and safety information.html. . FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are trademarks of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. in various jurisdictions. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2018 Abbott. ADC-09691 vLO 10/18

*The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre 14 day reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol, when symptoms do not match system readings, when you suspect readings may be inaccurate, or when you experience symptoms that may be due to high or low blood glucose.

The FreeStyle Libre 2 app and the FreeStyle Libre 2 reader have similar but not identical features. Fingersticks are required for treatment decisions when you see Check Blood Glucose symbol and when your glucose alarms and readings from the system do not match symptoms or expectations

‡‡‡Based on the sensor being replaced once every 14 days, and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

§§§Glucose readings are not available during 1-hour warm-up, when sensor is too hot or too cold, when you see an error or "LO" or "HI" message, or no current glucose reading