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Freestyle libre 3 smartwatch compatibility for a new user

A

ap30

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hello, I have recently got a Freestyle libre 3 device. I would like to get a compatible smartwatch so I can monitor my blood sugar while playing sport. However, I have no experience with smartwatches so I am finding it difficult to breakdown the information online.

1) Is it as simple as getting a smartwatch that is compatible with my phone (Google Pixel 6a), and I can then relay anything from my phone to the smartwatch? Or do I need to get a smartwatch that specifically supports the Freestyle libre 3? If it is the latter, does anyone have any recommendations, as I can't find any official documentation online about this.

2) I've seen lots of talk about 'bridges' between the phone and the continuous glucose monitoring device. I'm guessing this is the phone? Is it possible to to avoid using a bridge, and go directly from the Libre to the watch? If not, what 'bridges' have the longest range, as I am concerned I may move out of range of my phone if using this as a device.

Finally as a side note, I know the Dexcom seems to have better compatibility, but I'm opting for the Freestyle Libre over Dexcom as I found the Dexcom to always overestimate my blood sugar when comparing to a manual check, regularly by as much as 5 or 6 mmol/L.

Apologies I can't share any links about the research I've already done, it's my first post so I am not allowed to share links.

Many thanks if anybody is able to help about this.
 
@ap30 welcome to the forum.
Unfortunately, I have not been lucky enough to get the Libre 3 so unable to share experience of using it wth a Smart Watch.

But wanted to thank you for sharing your experience of the Dexcom. My experience was very similar but was made to feel like a freak when I explained that CGMs seem to be different for different people and the "creme de la creme" of CGMs is not great for everyone.
 
Yes, a bridge is the phone, so you have: sensor -> phone -> display on smartwatch.

Yes, sometimes you can run without a bridge, I'm speaking specifically about XDrip+, though it's not particularly straightforward which of the Google watches actually work and how well right now.

I'll point you at these as at least a starting point, but I'm not sure how up to date they are:
github.com

xDrip-plus/Documentation/WatchGuide.md at master · jamorham/xDrip-plus

Enhanced personal research version of the xDrip android app - jamorham/xDrip-plus
github.com github.com

Smartwatches - xDrip+

xdrip.readthedocs.io xdrip.readthedocs.io

The last thing to mention is that libre3 support is still somewhat in development - as far as I understand it's possible to get it all running using a modified app, however I've not seen any detailed instructions (nor have I looked though, as I'm still using libre2 and haven't been forced to move to libre3 yet. At that point I will need to review what I do: Android phone -> Garmin watch)

Sorry that's not all that useful, hopefully it will point you in roughly the right direction.

Once you've had a read around, and if you decide to use XDrip+ (there may be other viable options of course) there is a discussion "forum" here where you can ask questions: https://github.com/NightscoutFoundation/xDrip/discussions and there's a chat channel here: https://gitter.im/jamorham/xDrip-plus

P.S. If you used the dexcom with something like XDrip+ you should be able to calibrate it so it actually works for you and gives the numbers you want.
 
You might want to look at Juggluco. It is a third party CGM Android app for L2 & L3 and talks to wearOS phones.

I'm a bit hazy on all the phone<>watch stuff, but the developer of the app is extremely helpful if you can't find what you want to know in the admittedly 'concise' documentation.

HTH
 
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