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Freestyle Libre 2 arm placement

D

Diver101

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi. I have been told by Abbott customer support that the only permissible location to place the Libre 2 is the back of the arm. However i have seen lots of photos of users with it placed on the side of the arm or the abdomen. Abbott insist that if placed in any other location than the back of the arm it will not work correctly. Can anyone comment about this with regard to other areas they use for placement?
 
I have used Libre on a number of bodily location, as well as my arm. I don’t notice any difference in performance by location.

My take is that during development Abbot only tested upper arm usage to ensure robust findings, rather than potential, unknown variable.
 
AndBreathe said:
I have used Libre on a number of bodily location, as well as my arm. I don’t notice any difference in performance by location.

My take is that during development Abbot only tested upper arm usage to ensure robust findings, rather than potential, unknown variable.
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Hi. Thanks for the reply. Have you used it on the side of your arm, which would be my preferred location?
 
I am not sure what you mean by the "side of the arm" or even exactly where Abbott mean by the "back of the arm".
Most of the photos Abbott marketing use seem to place it where I would call the side but I think this is mostly so that it is easy to see in the picture.
I place my sensors pretty high on my arm near my arm pit and as far back as I can reach (almost at my shoulder) and never had a problem.
I use this location because
- I cannot lie on it and cause compression lows at night
- I am unlikely to knock it
- I am vain and don't want to display my diabetes so the higher I place the sensor, the more likely that it is covered by my clothing.

Although most people are not as concerned about displaying their Libre, the first two reasons should be considered by everyone using it.

The only reason I would be nervous about placing it somewhere apart from my arm. is that Abbott may not be wiling to replace a faulty sensor if I have not used it according to their instructions if they ask (sometimes they do and sometimes they don't and I don't want to lie when I respond.)
But side vs back of arm I think is down to interpretation so I would not be concerned.
I was a member of the Libre Facebook group for a while. It seemed to be policed by some pedants who thought "back of arm "was a very specific location which only they could picture but were very unfriendly towards anyone who described a location which did not comply with their (imaginary) specifications. I fell out with them and left the group on this matter.
 
Abbott are very specific about back of the upper arm locations and provide drawings to illustrate. By side of arm I simply mean the upper arm between shoulder and elbow which face forward when the arm is in its natural position.
 
Sorry I meant the part of upper arm which face left or right when in the natural position
 
I havent put mine in the recommended place for years and have not had a problem, have checked against finger pricks no issues, I find it strange , that , with the relatively large surface area of the human body the only place it works is a small surface area at the back of the arm, I think not . i am a bit of a rebel and I do experiment often , which when you have diabetes you have to do ,
 
Hi. Thanks. Yes it does seem counterintuitive that Libre only works on such a small part of the body as Abbott says. I'm new to Libre - now just on my seventh sensor. I'm finding quite significant discrepancies between the sensor and finger pricks. Up to plus or minus 1.8 mmol/l. I'm not too concerned about this during the day but it's irritating to be woken by the alarm for hypo warning only to find the blood glucose reading is fine.
 
This is the first time I've heard that expression and I don't know what they are. My sensors are GP.prrscribed but no one discussed any issues with me. I assume you mean sleeping with the sensor under my body. Certainly they can't all be even if some are because I generally sleep on my side with the arm with the sensor on top and so far I have always attached the sensor to the back of the upper arm as per Abbott instructions.
 
Diver101 said:
Hi. Thanks for the reply. Have you used it on the side of your arm, which would be my preferred location?
Click to expand...
I have used it on my arm, mainly as prescribed, but also on the inside of my arm, where it is less likely to catch on anything..

The main reason I have moved it around (I don't use it all the time) is being mindful of what I will be wearing. The Libre isn't unsightly, but on holiday, for example, the disc shape doesn't necessarily add anything to the suntanned look. :)
 
Diver101 said:
Abbott are very specific about back of the upper arm locations and provide drawings to illustrate. By side of arm I simply mean the upper arm between shoulder and elbow which face forward when the arm is in its natural position.
Click to expand...

I think, bottom line, Abbot haven't tested it on the big toe, so they aren't going to say it's fine to use there. Their replacement policy seems pretty good, so they will want to be assured users are giving it the best chance of working, therefore "restricting" sites.

I'm guessing if you had a failure and declared the sensor had been on your leg, hip or whatever that they would have a get out clause, citing the sensor was not being used as directed.

In the words of Dirty Harry (I think),.............. "Are you feeling lucky?"
 
I've had to return numerous faulty sensors and have never been asked what part of my body I wear it on. I just complete the support form, and it's a simple process. I generally wear it on my upper arm towards the back, but sometimes it's more to the side. Occasionally, I hit a vein, so I'm still trying to work out the perfect spot!
 
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