• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

Anyone having big reliability issues with Freestyle Libre 2 Plus sensors?

M

MonsterLC

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
So I have been using Libre 2 for a while now and haven't had 1 sensor last 15 days. They have lasted between 8 hours and 11 days at best. I have found them very unreliable. Has anyone else had this issue? Does anyone know why these sensors are so unreliable?
 
Hi Pipp,

Yes I have contacted Abbott about this, but I find a 100% failure rate of the Libre 2 plus unexceptable. Libre 1 was a lot more reliable... I know it has been around for a while, but the Libre 2 appears to have been put to market too early and the LibreLink App needs to be tested properly.

I have even offered my services to Abbott although I am sure they won't do anything, but I have 20 years of software testing experience and can see several problems with the App and Libre system. I have identified several cases where the LibreLink App fails, but the sensor doesn't, just the LibreLink App stops reading the sensor.
 
I have to admit, I gave up on it after a few attempts myself. As someone with well controlled T2 I think it is less important for me to have CGM, and so stick with the meter and finger jabbing.
Sorry I can’t give more assistance with the difficulties you are experiencing, @MonsterLC.
 
Hi
I have been using the libre for years and apart from an occasional duff sensor everything runs swimmingly.
I,m 50 years a type 1 so adore all the tech especially the libre and 4mm needles.
My hba1c is 39 or 5.7 and 90% in range.
This is down to the libre and my own analytical skills.

My last 3 sensors have been the libre plus and have lasted the 15 days.

I wish you well.

Tony
 
I have a libre 2 sensor and have noticed 2 things.one is the sensor reading seems to go high after being changed,secondly has anybody noticed sensor readings to high if I am sleeping on the side where my sensor is
 
Hi I have been using Libre 2+ for 2/3 months and have recently moved to Omnipod 5 Closed loop.

I find it consistently reads between 1 - 2 mmol lower than a finger prick. Hence it alarms with supposed lows but in reality I am not. For example libre alarmed at 05.00 this morning saying 3.5 when a finger prick was 7.7.
 
I have been using the 2 for about3years. The sensors stay on almost always. I use skin prep pads before application and a cover pad is I’m working out or bathing. On the rare occasion a sensor falls off you can call Abott and they will replace it.
 
Hi
I've used another 2 sensors since i posted in february both of which have functioned perfectly.
I have a galaxy a32 phone if that is relevant.

Tony
 
This is similar to what I see. It seems to be dependent on the sensor, or more probably on the sensor location. My working theory is that these ones are too close to the muscle (I don't have much fat on my arms so the available location is pretty small and I try to move it a bit between sensors to avoid aiming for exactly the same spot!)
 
None of my issues are to do with the sensor falling off - that used to happen sometimes towards the end of the 14days until I started sticking a piece of micropore tape across the sensor and up around my bicep.

I'm about to move to the libre2+ and am hoping it improves the BLE failure rate even if the calibration issues are insoluble.
 
When i first got the sensors years ago i lost one or two by simply knocking them off walking through a door.....

I discovered placing it under my arm so its about 2 inches from my arm pit works perfectly and has done for at least 5 years.
I'm aware Abbotts say you shouldn't but my way works for me.

I also put a new one in 24 hours before activation and only activate when my levels are in the 5s or 6s with no fast acting insulin or food on board.

Again Abbotts don't give that advice but it works for me.

I wish you well

Tony
 
motherwell1991 said:
I have a libre 2 sensor and have noticed 2 things.one is the sensor reading seems to go high after being changed,secondly has anybody noticed sensor readings to high if I am sleeping on the side where my sensor is
Click to expand...
Yep have the same experience. I moved my sensor further round to the back of my arm so I can’t sleep on it on my side or back.
 
Yet to have issue with falling off. Second sensor to play up since end of jan just with readings and occasional signal loss, manual scan seems to fix signal issues. Readings appear to be out with their error margins for second time around libre appears to read lot lower than should and not compression low, location nurse attached it do can't be that either. Imo would like manual calibration feature
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20250413_192428_com_freestylelibre_app_gb_HomeActivity.jpg
    312.9 KB · Views: 77
  • IMG-20250413-WA0007.jpeg
    380.1 KB · Views: 84
 
When it comes to sensor failures, Abbott have always replaced any faulty sensors I've reported to them. My next sensor change will see me using the L2+ for the first time. I hope the extra day of life you get with the L2+ won't cause me any issues with my changeover day extending by one day every fortnight. I can't see the advantage of the sensors lasting 15 days instead of 14.

Despite lengthy exchanges with Abbott, both by email and phone, they could not get alarms to work on my phone (Samsung S20, now S23 Ultra) their solution was to send me a reader, ok for alarms at night, but not practical to carry another device when out and about. In the end I downloaded a 3rd party app that gives me alarms on my phone during the night. I'm not expecting any changes with the L2+.
 
I'd recommend Juggluco which listens for the signals from the sensors (i.e. contactless) and can optionally upload the data to the Libreview website I understand, plus XDrip+ for calibration, alarms and display/logging of CGM, finger prick data and carbs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…