- Messages
- 4
- Type of diabetes
- Type 2
I have been using mine for about a week. I am a type 2, insulin dependent diabetic. I count carbohydrates to calculate my insulin dosage. I've been using an Accu-Chek Aviva Combo meter with its built in insulin dose calculator for about 2-3 years, going through 8 test strips a day. I was incredibly excited when the Freestyle Libre was made available in Canada. I jumped in immediately.
I have activated the advanced insulin calculator function of the Freestyle Libre and was surprised and extremely disappointed that use of this feature requires a finger-prick test. How can Abbot Labs make the claim that the meter eliminates the need to finger-prick when it clearly does not?
This restriction is NOT identified in any of their advertising or descriptive literature. The only reference to it is buried deep in the User Manual on page 56. "The calculator is only for use with finger-prick blood glucose results from the built-in meter. You cannot use the insulin calculator with Sensor glucose readings."
The issue appears to be related to the difference between "Interstitial" vs "Fingerstick blood glucose" readings. Despite the fact that Insulin Pumps work from "interstitial" measurements, Abbott precludes their use in this meter.
Given the uncertainty inherent in setting carbohydrate to insulin ratios, insulin correction factors, carbohydrate intake estimates, active insulin estimates, and insulin absorption efficiency, I do not understand why the interstitial vs fingerstick readings is an issue.
While I very much like the outstanding 7/24 continuous information made available to me with this meter, I am bloody angry that I am not "allowed to chose to use" the insulin calculator capability. I am now forced back to "finger-pricking" before every meal and snack.
I will now go back to using Accu-Chek Aviva Combo (or Accu-Chek Aviva Expert), both of which provide insulin calculators. I have been using the Combo insulin calculator successfully for years.
Why is Abbott Laboratories allowed to falsely advertise this product as Finger-prick Free?
Mike
I have activated the advanced insulin calculator function of the Freestyle Libre and was surprised and extremely disappointed that use of this feature requires a finger-prick test. How can Abbot Labs make the claim that the meter eliminates the need to finger-prick when it clearly does not?
This restriction is NOT identified in any of their advertising or descriptive literature. The only reference to it is buried deep in the User Manual on page 56. "The calculator is only for use with finger-prick blood glucose results from the built-in meter. You cannot use the insulin calculator with Sensor glucose readings."
The issue appears to be related to the difference between "Interstitial" vs "Fingerstick blood glucose" readings. Despite the fact that Insulin Pumps work from "interstitial" measurements, Abbott precludes their use in this meter.
Given the uncertainty inherent in setting carbohydrate to insulin ratios, insulin correction factors, carbohydrate intake estimates, active insulin estimates, and insulin absorption efficiency, I do not understand why the interstitial vs fingerstick readings is an issue.
While I very much like the outstanding 7/24 continuous information made available to me with this meter, I am bloody angry that I am not "allowed to chose to use" the insulin calculator capability. I am now forced back to "finger-pricking" before every meal and snack.
I will now go back to using Accu-Chek Aviva Combo (or Accu-Chek Aviva Expert), both of which provide insulin calculators. I have been using the Combo insulin calculator successfully for years.
Why is Abbott Laboratories allowed to falsely advertise this product as Finger-prick Free?
Mike