Freestyle libre

[Introverted_And_Proud]

By the way, I'm a Type 2 on insulin but the nurse won't prescribe a cgm for me. I wonder if different areas of the country have different rules?

According to the Diabetes UK website, Type 2 diabetics can be eligible for CGMs if they take at least two doses of insulin per day and have any of the following: severe hypoglycaemia, impaired hypoglycaemia awareness, the inability to monitor your blood sugar levels with a meter, and/or have been advised to do finger prick tests at least eight times a day. This could be why your DSN hasn't yet gone ahead with a prescription for a CGM.

Edit: adding the link to the source in case anyone needs further info. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-d...echnology/cgm-flash-pump-who-qualifies-on-nhs

 

[Jaylee]

The more I read members varying experiences with Libre s accuracy the more I think our bodies vary considerably in how fast or how quickly glucose finds its way into the interstitial fluid or even how our body reacts to the filament penetrating our skin.

My own experiences with Libra is the same as yours @ChrisT2 . My Libre values are always lower than my finger prick figures, even given Libra's lag in glucose readings, but only around the 'normal range' . Outside of that range the accuracy of the Libre diminishes. Interestingly, my finger prick device's readings were lower than the pharmacy device when I asked them to compare my device with theirs. Of course, we have to consider the allowable error of 15%+/-. Only the lab device, which I presume is calibrated to higher level of accuracy.

We miss so much with the standard before and two hours after a meal. The highs and the lows between those figures.

Also my estimated Libre HbA1c is always lower , sometimes the difference is significant, than the lab run HbA1c results.

The Libre fills in the gaps between meter tests for me.
To draw an analogy. I see an HbA1c as an “average speed check” on a motorway.
A BG meter like a speed camera on a B road.
Then you have a CGM or flash monitor which is closer to a “dash cam…”

Incidentally.
I’ve been BG tested by the standard issue calibrated hospital devices on odd occasions at hospital by a nurse.
All have been within 0.6mmol of my sensor..

Going down other routs & asking questions about interstitial fluid.
It seems possible that insufficient hydration can/could affect sensor readings?

 

[grantg]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I am going on one dose of insulin per night at the moment and we’ll take it from there so I can’t get the libre prescribed unless I go on to need at least one more dose per day but I think I’ll self fund another couple and use them as educators. You’ve all given me some great advice here and I’m very grateful to you

what type of insulin are you going on? if its fast acting, such as novarapid would advise checking glucose levels another thing to take on board is that fast acting can be in system ~4 hours. slow acting releases over 12/24 hour roughly depending on whats prescribed eg toujeo ~24 hours

best wishes