Freestyle Libre glucose monitor

Hi @Mac640030
I think you may be reading the US Freestyle site as the sensor in the UK last 14 days.
Yes, they do just last 14 days and then they are thrown away.
You mention £53. It is sometime since I checked but does this include VAT. If you have diabetes, you do not have to pay VAT which can reduce the cost a little.

I agree that £50 for 2 weeks is costly. Therefore, it is common to use 2 weeks of LIbre to learn how your body reacts to different food and activities and then put that knowledge into practice for a few weeks without Libre. You can get another sensor to check how things are going a month or so later. I used to use Libre for 2 weeks out of 6 and found this very informative.

Mac640030 said:

Hi Folks.
I am a recently diagnosed Type2 Diabetic.
I am considering purchasing a Libre Freestyle Monitor. I have read through their website and discovered that the battery in the monitor lasts from 7-10 days. It does not mention what’s happens after the battery runs flat.
So my question is this. Are the monitors rechargeable? Or do I have to buy another monitor at £53 every 7-10 days? Probably a daft question I know, but it is is good to be clear on these details before purchase
Many thanks
Mac

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I bought the same device and the battery did run out after about 13-14 days and yes you have to spend another £50 odd for another, I asked my diabetes nurse and she said not to bother, so stopped.

Mac640030 said:

Hi Folks.
I am a recently diagnosed Type2 Diabetic.
I am considering purchasing a Libre Freestyle Monitor. I have read through their website and discovered that the battery in the monitor lasts from 7-10 days. It does not mention what’s happens after the battery runs flat.
So my question is this. Are the monitors rechargeable? Or do I have to buy another monitor at £53 every 7-10 days? Probably a daft question I know, but it is is good to be clear on these details before purchase
Many thanks
Mac

Click to expand...

Hi and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear that you have joined the Diabetes club not one we ever wanted to join.

The libre system consists of :
A sensor which is attached to your arm usually, this has a built in battery the sensor lasts for 14 days you could not change the battery even if you wanted to.

A reader this has a rechargeable battery after it's charge runs down you just plug it into a usb socket or wall charger.

If you do not want to purchase or use the Libre reader you can down load an app onto a compatible smart phone.


The sensor according to Abbotts only has a useable span of 14 days it has nothing to do with the life span of the battery which will out last the sensor for quite some time but more to do with reliability and accuracy beyond that 14 days.


No it is not necessary to buy a reader every time.

It is a new sensor you will need to purchase and those cost £48 each.

fudge2011 said:

I bought the same device and the battery did run out after about 13-14 days and yes you have to spend another £50 odd for another, I asked my diabetes nurse and she said not to bother, so stopped.

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I have been using Libre about 5years now. They always finish exactly 14 days to the absolute minute. With a countdown either on reader or phone.

becca59 said:

I have been using Libre about 5years now. They always finish exactly 14 days to the absolute minute. With a countdown either on reader or phone.

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Not recommended, But I can get maybe 6/8 maybe 12 hours extra out of a Libre using the Diabox app (which essentially makes it a CGM.) on my phone.. There is a sensor age reading on the app too. But it ignores it unlike Libre link app.
I’ve pushed the lifespan to the limit with the app & then after that it just seems to repeat the same 6 hours worth of readings after 14.5 days..

Anyone experimenting with pushing the boundaries on these sensors, be extra cautious & back it up with your meter..

Jaylee said:

Not recommended, But I can get maybe 6/8 maybe 12 hours extra out of a Libre using the Diabox app (which essentially makes it a CGM.) on my phone.. There is a sensor age reading on the app too. But it ignores it unlike Libre link app.
I’ve pushed the lifespan to the limit with the app & then after that it just seems to repeat the same 6 hours worth of readings after 14.5 days..

Anyone experimenting with pushing the boundaries on these sensors, be extra cautious & back it up with your meter..

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xDrip+ does the same.
I did read about the ability to hack Libre 1 into extending the sensor life and some people achieved an extra week out of the sensor.
However, the limit is not due to the lifespan of the batteries or about Abbott being stingy. It is about the risk of infection if you keep the sensor in your body for too long. You will find most CGMs have a similar life span. I know of one exception but that requires surgery to place the sensor under your skin. And it is very expensive.

In Response said:

xDrip+ does the same.
I did read about the ability to hack Libre 1 into extending the sensor life and some people achieved an extra week out of the sensor.
However, the limit is not due to the lifespan of the batteries or about Abbott being stingy. It is about the risk of infection if you keep the sensor in your body for too long. You will find most CGMs have a similar life span. I know of one exception but that requires surgery to place the sensor under your skin. And it is very expensive.

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Hi,

Yes indeedy. I used the L1 with xDrip. (& Bluetooth bridge.) Which showed a different scatty trend after the 6/8 or 12 hour period of official “game over” for me..
I also read of the under the skin device.. (like a modern NFC dog ID to owner tag?) let alone expensive.. sounds too much hassle..

It’s easier regarding individual routines to plant “something” reliable as an aid to just get on with our respective lives.