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Flying with Freestyle Libre

S

S2A

Member
Messages
5
Location
Europe
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi everyone! I'm new around here :)

I've been using Freestyle Libre for the past months with varying degrees of success - I've had sensors which kept giving me 'LO' when my finger pricks reported 70 - but I think it's generally accurate in telling me where my blood glucose is going. Now I'm preparing a trip to Eastern Europe and I'd like to have a sensor on, because it will at least indicate if the glucose might be getting too low to keep on walking, I can make a test even if there's no bathroom nearby, etc.

However, I've been browsing the forum to see how safe flying with Libre is and I'm fearing that it might not be a good option (I'll be taking 3 flights throughout my journey, and they're not 14 days apart). I've called Abbott Portugal and they weren't especially helpful ("you can start a new sensor after each landing", the lady said, as if anyone could afford that) and they can't guarantee that it's accurate after landing. She also avoided responsibility for the body scans. I couldn't understand if even carrying a sensor in my purse (which will have to go through the rx machine) is safe.

What's your experience with this? Have you used Libre during your travels? Did it change after landing? Do you think it's safe to go through the body scans? Please advise!

Thanks in advance :happy:
 
I've flown with multiple different CGM sensors attached, including Libre. They've all been fine, and if you have a pump, you can always ask not to be put through the body scanner anyway, as it is recommended that they are not xrayed.
 
Hi also I would like to ask if you can also wear a libre sensor when having a general anesthetic ?
 
Flew to Prague via Amsterdam a few weeks back, without issue when wearing a Libre sensor.

When I set off the scanner alarm, security didn't even ask what the thing on my arm was - I'm sure they've seen quite a few by now so it's no biggie.
 
Hi Tim2000s and GrantGram,

Thanks for your replies! I'm more concerned with the sensor losing its accuracy after landing than with the airport security itself. I don't use a pump and I've always travelled with my meter & insulin pens - the old fashioned way ;)

Jackie2000 I've never had surgery with Libre. However I did have an issue with doctors miscalculing my insulin dosis after my last op, so I'd advise you to discuss everything thoroughly with your doc. Hope you get better soon! :)
 
I've had surgery under general anaesthetic recently with my libre on, they just put a tegaderm over it.
 
I flew this weekend wearing a sensor. It went through a body scanner at Manchester OK (but I ended up being frisked so warned the person I had a sensor on my arm and she'd better be careful to not knock it off!) and was OK through the metal detecting arch on my return too.

It seems just as accurate as it was prior to my weekend away (reading ~1mmol/L too low) so it doesn't seem to have been affected.
 
Thanks for the feedback, 1abRat! I'll fly in 10 days, let's see how it goes :)
 
Hi everyone! I completely forgot about this thread, but in case someone finds this through googling or searching on the forum, I want to say that everything was completely fine. Since I first posted here, I've flown about 7 times and never had any issues. Just don't try to use Libre up in the air and you'll be okay! So far travelling with Libre as been a breeze and I have been able to do things that I wouldn't otherwise, because I can monitor my sugar levels wherever, at any time. :)
 
This is an old thread, but I suppose it's better to ask here than make a new one...

So I'm off flying in a few days after an almost 2 year break due to the covid pandemic.

I understand there shouldn't be any problems with the Libre sensor, only thing I didn't understand is it ok to pass through any kind of a full body scanner or I need to ask them for a manual search during security?

Also there shouldn't be any problems carrying a spare boxed sensor in check in baggage?

Thanks
 
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