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Freestyle Libre Readings

22nw22

Well-Known Member
Messages
382
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi.
I have gotten my Freestyle Libre sensor today and will be using it for the next 2 weeks. I won't use it when it expires until I get another supply which shouldn't be too long hopefully.

I have noticed I have been out of range since I got my sensor. When I think it's going down it goes up. Is it just bad luck?
 
Hi.
I have gotten my Freestyle Libre sensor today and will be using it for the next 2 weeks. I won't use it when it expires until I get another supply which shouldn't be too long hopefully.

I have noticed I have been out of range since I got my sensor. When I think it's going down it goes up. Is it just bad luck?

Are you doing finger prick tests as well as scanning when your numbers seem a bit wonky? It can take some sensors a day or so to settle down to decent readings.

Some folks apply the sensor the day before they activate it to let it settle (I do that), but I can understand why that wouldn't work at all, bearing in mind you're on a training run.
 
Hi.
I have gotten my Freestyle Libre sensor today and will be using it for the next 2 weeks. I won't use it when it expires until I get another supply which shouldn't be too long hopefully.

I have noticed I have been out of range since I got my sensor. When I think it's going down it goes up. Is it just bad luck?

Aside from the "settling in" issues mentioned by @DCUKMod you should bear the following in mind
1) there's a 15 minute delay between sensor and conventional blood sugar. ie Do a normal glucometer blood test, then compare it with the libre reading 15 minutes later.
2) Libre made a policy decision not to do individual calibrations for the sensors. While it is convenient, it means that some people's bodies get consistently low or high sensor readings compared to their blood sugars. There are additions/software(?) that you can get to convert the libre readings to ones that are consistent with your own blood sugars.
3) Some people aren't compatible with the libre at all and never get good readings. (Usually that is subset of those those who develop an allergic reaction.)

So, do some blood testing to see whether the readings are accurate. It may be that they run consistently low (eg by 2mmol/L) and you can just mentally convert future readings....
 
I know I had a 16.6 on a previous BG test when the libre was 15.9. Last scan I was 19.4
 
Aside from the "settling in" issues mentioned by @DCUKMod you should bear the following in mind
1) there's a 15 minute delay between sensor and conventional blood sugar. ie Do a normal glucometer blood test, then compare it with the libre reading 15 minutes later.
2) Libre made a policy decision not to do individual calibrations for the sensors. While it is convenient, it means that some people's bodies get consistently low or high sensor readings compared to their blood sugars. There are additions/software(?) that you can get to convert the libre readings to ones that are consistent with your own blood sugars.
3) Some people aren't compatible with the libre at all and never get good readings. (Usually that is subset of those those who develop an allergic reaction.)

So, do some blood testing to see whether the readings are accurate. It may be that they run consistently low (eg by 2mmol/L) and you can just mentally convert future readings....
@EllieM @DCUKMod just did my fingerprick and was 19.5
 
I know I had a 16.6 on a previous BG test when the libre was 15.9. Last scan I was 19.4
The difference between a 16.6 and 15.9 is negligible.
Are you suggesting the Libre is pushing your BG highs?
This is not something I have heard of before.

I suggest doing a corrective bolus.
 
@22nw22 - How much higher are the readings you are getting with the Libre on than usual? I know this is your first time, but I'm wondering if you're very excited about it all. I know if I'm very excited, or stressed, my numbers go up a bit, but in my case, it's a tiny bit.
 
@22nw22 - How much higher are the readings you are getting with the Libre on than usual? I know this is your first time, but I'm wondering if you're very excited about it all. I know if I'm very excited, or stressed, my numbers go up a bit, but in my case, it's a tiny bit.
Yea, that might be why, along with my dinner. I had sandwiches, sausage rolls and two Milkybar desserts. Maybe that contributed. LOL
 
The difference between a 16.6 and 15.9 is negligible.
Are you suggesting the Libre is pushing your BG highs?
This is not something I have heard of before.

I suggest doing a corrective bolus.
It could be excitement/stress or the fact that I had a lot to eat today as I had to get up early.
 
Yea, that might be why, along with my dinner. I had sandwiches, sausage rolls and two Milkybar desserts. Maybe that contributed. LOL

Blimey I imaging your dinner could have been "fun" to bolus for. Quite a mixture.
 
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