FreeStyle Libre

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Diabetes sucks.  It really really sucks.  If you are one or you know one they will tell you one of the annoying things to do is checking your glucose.  It happens every day most times 3 to 5 times a day.  When you wake up, before a meal, before bed, if you are feeling weird.  After a while the constant poking of your fingers really takes a toll on the emotional side of things.  Not to mention extra stress.  Which by the way doesn't help diabetic people at all.

Around the end of 2017 sometime FreeStyle released the FreeStyle Libre.  What a refreshing piece of technology.  This is a continuous glucose monitoring system.  That means that while you are using it it will graph and track you glucose through out the day.  But as with anything it has its pros and cons.  Lets start with the pros.

Pros

  • Simple 10 day sensor hides on the back of the arm.  Doesn't impede arm movement.
  • Check your glucose at any time.
  • Graph how your glucose changes with meals etc over time.
  • No pricking the fingers. Unless you want to use blood strips.

Cons

  • Sensor can be hard to read sometimes especially around electronics.
  • Sensors can be a little expensive.  With insurance I am getting them for $20 a piece.
  • Sensors take 12 hours to be ready to use. 
  • Seems to read a few points higher than using blood readings.

How it Works

The FreeStyle Libre works with 2 main components.  The meter and the sensor.  You use the applicator provided with the sensor and attach it to the fat on the back of the arm.  Once it is set you get to wait for 12 hours and then you can get your first reading from the sensor.  But if you are needing to check your glucose you can always get some glucuose strips.

The FreeStyle Precision Neo strips fit and work perfectly, and they are available over the counter.  The meter and the sensors however both need a prescription.  Once you have finished waiting the 12 hours you can check you glucose by turning on the meter and putting it near the sensor.  The meter will read it wirelessly for up to 10 days.

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