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Anyone having big reliability issues with Freestyle Libre 2 Plus sensors?
- Thread starter MonsterLC
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Same here. They replace them well but like I told them something is wrong when all sensors just mess up. Guessing it’s a dodgy batch
Is Vic There ?
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Hi Dan, Welcome to the Forum, This is where the Forum is great tool to help share information. Let's hope they find the issue. I'm sending back 3 sensors this week. Two provided by Abbotts as replacements for other sensors with issues and the other from Boots chemist. This issue appears to be quite widely spread, hopefully Abbots will take my advice and follow this thtead.
Will keep this thread updated if I find out more.
Cheers
Tim Willis
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I reported Abbott to the MHRA after having two Libre 2+ fall off within 2 hours, one of them only lasted 6 minutes
There was clearly no adhesive on either. Yes , its all very well that Abbott replaced them, they should be fit for purpose in the first place.
I'm now testing the Dexcom one plus on my stomach, the amount of adhesive on those things is ridiculous but struggling to get the app to work on my Motorola Razr 60 Ultra which they claim to support (but clearly don't!).
I'm wondering how we got to the point of the NHS throwing our money at two such incompetent companies?
Is Vic There ?
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Thanks for posting to this thread , I have told my Medical Practice there is a serious issue and will also send notice to the MHRA too. I do agree with you . for the amount these companies must be taking from the NHS they really should do better as service provider and in my opion the product should be far better. Again I did suggest to Abbotts they stop the Plus 2 and go back to the Libre 2 until they sort all these issues.
Dexcom one+ has been brilliant for me. Should be for you as well the only issue it only last 10 days unfortunately
Also it’s in the same spot i use libre sensors that break so that points towards the sensors being the issue.
grantg
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what do you mean by same spot, if around the same area inserted at, that to me would indicate to perhaps try another spot slightly away from the prior preferably with a little more 'fatty skin' if at all possible
Rob_UK
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I've had a very low failure rate with the Libre 2 and more recently the Libre 2+. I have had one fail (after 2 days) and one come off in my sleep, and that was before I started wearing a stretchy 'armband' over it . The armband is breathable and comfortable and protects the sensor unlike other solutions involving extra patches, adhesives or 'sticky' wipes. For the two problems I had, Abbott were very quick to replace them for free.
I concede that there are a number of people for whom they won't work for whatever reason, and I've listed a number of possible reasons below. It may be a bit strong to say that as a product it's not fit for purpose when there isn't clinical evidence to support this assertion, all we have is anecdotal reports on a handful of user forums. If it doesn't work for you, perhaps work with Abbott to try and sort it or get your GP to prescribe a different brand? Good Luck!
Hope some of this may help those facing challenges with CGM sensors.
Physiological Factors:
I concede that there are a number of people for whom they won't work for whatever reason, and I've listed a number of possible reasons below. It may be a bit strong to say that as a product it's not fit for purpose when there isn't clinical evidence to support this assertion, all we have is anecdotal reports on a handful of user forums. If it doesn't work for you, perhaps work with Abbott to try and sort it or get your GP to prescribe a different brand? Good Luck!
Hope some of this may help those facing challenges with CGM sensors.
Adhesion Related Problems
Skin and Environmental Factors:- Oily or sweaty skin can compromise adhesive bonding
- Frequent showering, swimming, or high humidity exposure
- Temperature extremes causing adhesive degradation
- Skin lotions, sunscreen, or other topical products creating barriers
- Natural skin oils and dead skin cell shedding over the 14-day period
- Clothing friction, especially from tight sleeves or sports bras
- Physical activities that involve arm movement or contact sports
- Sleeping positions that put pressure on the sensor
- Accidental bumping or snagging on objects
- Body hair that prevents proper adhesive contact with skin
- Some people naturally have skin chemistry that doesn't work well with medical adhesives
- Skin sensitivity or allergic reactions to the adhesive
- Very thin or very thick skin affecting sensor placement depth
Physiological Factors:
- Dehydration affecting interstitial fluid dynamics
- Rapid blood glucose changes that create lag time between blood and interstitial glucose levels
- Medication effects (like acetaminophen) that can interfere with sensor chemistry
- Inflammation or immune response around the insertion site
- Sensor filament damage during insertion or from physical impact
- Moisture ingress into the sensor electronics
- Temperature fluctuations affecting sensor calibration
- Manufacturing defects in the glucose oxidase enzyme or other sensor components
- Sensors placed too close to scar tissue or areas with poor circulation
- Insertion into muscle rather than subcutaneous tissue if applied too forcefully
- Areas with significant fat deposits that may affect glucose diffusion
- Sensor placement over areas with frequent movement affecting filament stability
- Electromagnetic interference from certain devices
- Compression of the sensor area restricting blood flow
- Infection at the insertion site affecting local glucose levels
grantg
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i'd agree with most of above possibilities you've raised with one exception: "Compression of the sensor area restricting blood flow". interestrial fluid in place of blood as its that which it measurements are based on. personally havent had an issue with them coming off ever since ensured washed then dried area prior. wiped area throughly with https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61GrlqM8hiL._SL1500_.jpg and waited several minutes for it to completely dry i also put them a little further towards inside arm where it helped to avoid catching on doors. i swim at least 5 days a week for around an hour each time sometimes a little longer
Rob_UK
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Yes, I know 'compression lows' can be a thing for some, and it's all about finding what works for you. Personally it's not something I've experienced. The MHRA have a Yellow Card scheme (link below) allowing any user to report their concerns which will help the sensor using community in the long run.
Enjoy the swimming! I'm lucky enough to live near the sea so it's very seasonal for me
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
Enjoy the swimming! I'm lucky enough to live near the sea so it's very seasonal for me
https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/
What I meant was. The dexcom one+ is working where I put the libre 2 plus sensors but when I put libre 2 plus it fails and it’s back of my armwhat do you mean by same spot, if around the same area inserted at, that to me would indicate to perhaps try another spot slightly away from the prior preferably with a little more 'fatty skin' if at all possible
Another vote for the Dexcom One+ from me. I prefer the 10 day life as there’s probably a higher probability of it lasting. I’m on my fifth sensor and haven’t had any problems. I used a reader with Libre 2 plus and had regular failures with sensors ending early.
I must admit that I am still using FSL2. I wished to give time for the new Ireland plant to settle in. https://www.abbott.com/corpnewsroom...y-to-meet-demand-for-diabetes-technology.html.
I have almost no failures over the 10yrs continuous use of Libre except when I first started. I always allow new sensors 12 hours before startup and then by using Juggluco.nl I compare new sensors with old. That saves fingerpricking and I consider fingerpricks too inaccurate for reliable comparison and checking of new sensors. The one minute comparisons given by Juggluco are for me, a better check particularly at the more important low levels. This can be seen in this week’s startup, the one minute lines and the 15 minute averages are virtually indistinguishable for the first few hours.
At higher levels the one minute levels show the variance. This also shows the fallacy of using spot values for checking. These vary far too much and the 15 minute average lines are far better.
The lines also demonstrate the increased variance of new sensor spot checks in the first 24hours before insertion trauma declines.
Testing of blood glucose measurement by medical professionals show much greater error levels in actual use. It must also be remembered that BGM testing is almost always a Single value - how often do you take multiple fingerpricks? From one finger! 5.7mmol or 7.1 ?
BGM averages are always based upon multiple measurements which help cancel out individual errors
I am looking forward to the simultaneous testing of nine different types of sensor. https://www.diabettech.com/cgm/nine...e-nine-sensor-samba-diabettech/?cn-reloaded=1
For those who wish to see Abbott’s replies to sensor failure reports, it is worth spending some hours viewing the FDA databases.
www.fda.gov
As with Dexcom, Abbott is a USA company so must report All equipment failures - these databases are available to us to download - both Abbott and Dexcom.
Eg a Dexcom report
I have almost no failures over the 10yrs continuous use of Libre except when I first started. I always allow new sensors 12 hours before startup and then by using Juggluco.nl I compare new sensors with old. That saves fingerpricking and I consider fingerpricks too inaccurate for reliable comparison and checking of new sensors. The one minute comparisons given by Juggluco are for me, a better check particularly at the more important low levels. This can be seen in this week’s startup, the one minute lines and the 15 minute averages are virtually indistinguishable for the first few hours.
At higher levels the one minute levels show the variance. This also shows the fallacy of using spot values for checking. These vary far too much and the 15 minute average lines are far better.
The lines also demonstrate the increased variance of new sensor spot checks in the first 24hours before insertion trauma declines.
Testing of blood glucose measurement by medical professionals show much greater error levels in actual use. It must also be remembered that BGM testing is almost always a Single value - how often do you take multiple fingerpricks? From one finger! 5.7mmol or 7.1 ?
BGM averages are always based upon multiple measurements which help cancel out individual errors
I am looking forward to the simultaneous testing of nine different types of sensor. https://www.diabettech.com/cgm/nine...e-nine-sensor-samba-diabettech/?cn-reloaded=1
For those who wish to see Abbott’s replies to sensor failure reports, it is worth spending some hours viewing the FDA databases.
About Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE)
This page contains information about Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) Database reports of adverse events involving medical devices.
As with Dexcom, Abbott is a USA company so must report All equipment failures - these databases are available to us to download - both Abbott and Dexcom.
Eg a Dexcom report
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Is Vic There ?
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Great info Bill, I will take a look later. Would like to confirm that the Libre 2 Plus is manufactured in the New Ireland facility.
Not sure about the stats though , this would depend on accurate reporting !!
Not sure about the stats though , this would depend on accurate reporting !!
Cannot confirm that all UK sold FSL2+ are manufactured in IR. Some may still be manufactured in Oxon. The stats are as reliable as possible but some reporting must be suspect, such as one I read that claimed the sensor caught Fire! Comparable numbers between Abbott and Dexcom for Loss of connection is likely to be reliable. I have not analysed this recently - perhaps someone with spreadsheet may do a recent count or even compare numbers per month over last 3 or 4 years
The one, I believe vital, piece of info is missing : iOS or Android.
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We appreciate you taking the time in sharing feedback regarding the FreeStyle Libre 2 plus sensors.
We have logged your complaint under to our complaint handling system, to be reviewed by our product development team.
I sent them this forum and told them people are having pause issues and then the sensor gives up. hopefully they release a software update
We have logged your complaint under to our complaint handling system, to be reviewed by our product development team.
I sent them this forum and told them people are having pause issues and then the sensor gives up. hopefully they release a software update
