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faulty Libre or BG changing?

A

Anne Crisp

Member
Hi everyone I joined this forum last week after recently being diagnosed with RH. I used a Libre for a month and saw my levels stabilise dramatically when I started avoiding carbs. After 3 weeks without one I started a new sensor this weekend, intending to try out new foods and test the reaction (as advised on this forum).

Previously, since cutting carbs, my levels were almost always in the normal range. This time I'm surprised to find I'm often in the red. I was in the red from midnight until after breakfast this morning (3.0 - 3.8). I have no symptoms at all so am wondering if the sensor is faulty. It does increase when I eat but only by around 1mmol because I was sticking to no carbs initially. I'm hoping it might still work to test foods and will try this later today.

If it's not a faulty sensor is it possible my 'normal for me' BG levels have changed? And if they have is that a problem given I have no symptoms?

I hope it's not a faulty sensor because they're quite expensive - has anyone found a source for under the £50 I've been paying?
 
If you can take some finger prick tests to compare with the Libre and it turns out it’s reading too low you can ring the customer care at Freestyle and report it as faulty. They will replace it, you need to keep the faulty one to send back (they provide a prepaid envelope.)
 
Hi @Anne Crisp do you have a blood testing meter? Though I wear a cgm 24/7 I do check regularly with a meter just because they aren't 100% reliable. Also, some people find that cgms are unreliable (often read low) for the first 24 hours?. Disclaimer, I'm using a dexcom but I believe the same principles apply to a libre.

If your libre is faulty, you should be able to get a free replacement, but you'll need to check it against a glucometer.
 
Anne Crisp said:
No I don't have a finger prick/blood testing meter. Scared of needles so would rather not!
Click to expand...
You can get fingerpricking devices where the needle is pretty invisible. (I'm not the right person to ask as to which one, as after 54 years of injections I just prick my finger with a lancet without even bothering with a gadget, but am sure that others will be able to make suggestions.)
 
Anne Crisp said:
Hi everyone I joined this forum last week after recently being diagnosed with RH. I used a Libre for a month and saw my levels stabilise dramatically when I started avoiding carbs. After 3 weeks without one I started a new sensor this weekend, intending to try out new foods and test the reaction (as advised on this forum).

Previously, since cutting carbs, my levels were almost always in the normal range. This time I'm surprised to find I'm often in the red. I was in the red from midnight until after breakfast this morning (3.0 - 3.8). I have no symptoms at all so am wondering if the sensor is faulty. It does increase when I eat but only by around 1mmol because I was sticking to no carbs initially. I'm hoping it might still work to test foods and will try this later today.

If it's not a faulty sensor is it possible my 'normal for me' BG levels have changed? And if they have is that a problem given I have no symptoms?

I hope it's not a faulty sensor because they're quite expensive - has anyone found a source for under the £50 I've been paying?
Click to expand...

Normal BG can be quite low on a normal basis.
Some non-diabetic people have 3.5 as their normal level.

For the Libre, you are claiming zero VAT?
This should bring it a little under the £50.
I order direct from Abbott and there is a box to tick.
Previously I bought them at the Asda pharmacy and there was a form to fill in to avoid paying VAT.

I hate needles, but am slowly becoming accepting.
It may be worth giving it a try.
Do you have someone who could do the test for you so you don't have to prick yourself?
 
@Anne Crisp , I agree with everything said above. I definitely think it worth while getting yourself a glucometer, even just to confirm or dismiss a Libre a low reading. I know needle phobias are real so yes difficult for you.
It is my belief, and I’m no expert so please give my comment the weight it deserves as a none medical person, very low / low carb diets are supposed to elevate the lows by reducing the sugars ‘spikes’ that induce the over secretion of insulin in RH. Perhaps @Lamont D has thoughts on this.
 
Rachox said:
I’m not sure if the OP can claim VAT off as their diagnosis isn’t diabetes. Pls correct me if I’m wrong.
Click to expand...
I had a look and couldn't confirm that it was VAT exempt.
I assumed that it was because it is a chronic condition.
Further research required.
 
Anne Crisp said:
Hi everyone I joined this forum last week after recently being diagnosed with RH. I used a Libre for a month and saw my levels stabilise dramatically when I started avoiding carbs. After 3 weeks without one I started a new sensor this weekend, intending to try out new foods and test the reaction (as advised on this forum).

Previously, since cutting carbs, my levels were almost always in the normal range. This time I'm surprised to find I'm often in the red. I was in the red from midnight until after breakfast this morning (3.0 - 3.8). I have no symptoms at all so am wondering if the sensor is faulty. It does increase when I eat but only by around 1mmol because I was sticking to no carbs initially. I'm hoping it might still work to test foods and will try this later today.

If it's not a faulty sensor is it possible my 'normal for me' BG levels have changed? And if they have is that a problem given I have no symptoms?

I hope it's not a faulty sensor because they're quite expensive - has anyone found a source for under the £50 I've been paying?
Click to expand...
my sensor often reads .5 to 1 mmol lower than my finger prick, so I don’t usually worry till it’s reaches 3.5
 
I did keto and found when I am having little to no carbs, my BS are in the normal range and I don’t need insulin with my meals. I have found though that when I have carbs, I have to take a lot more insulin than before.
with regard to your sensor, I put my new sensor on a couple of days before the old one runs out and then when I change to the new sensor, the readings are more accurate
 
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