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Type 1 Freestyle libre sensor sites

Liv1991

Liv1991

Member
Messages
9
Location
West Sussex
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone who uses freestyle libre sensors can help.

I've used 2 different sensors so far as per the instructions which say that it has to be inserted on the upper arm. I don't want to keep inserting it there while the weather is hot though because I don't like it being visible in sleeveless clothes.

Does anyone know why it says you can only insert it on the upper arm? I can't work out why it couldn't be out on the lower back or another flat place...

Any insight would be appreciated and if anyone has tried putting it somewhere else I'd like to know how it went. They're so expensive I don't want to try it and it go wrong!

Thanks,

Liv
 
In theory it shroud work elsewhere but the upper arm has probably shown the most success during testing stages of the sensors...

I don't have one but thats what I have heard...
 
The reason that upper arm is recommended is purely because that's what the license that Abbott have for it says. If you use it elsewhere, you are using it "off license" as it were.

I know that people have tried other places, i.e. stomach, back, love handles, legs, and for me the arm makes most sense as it seems to stay on there better, and the readings were better, having tried my midriff and lost the sensor after three days.
 
Hi @Liv1991 now it's summer I'm trying to be as nonchalant as I can about my sensors but I do admit to feeling rather self conscious. I insert my next sensor 36 hrs before its predecessor is set to expire - so I'm already bracing myself for feeling a bit of a wally by wearing a sensor on each arm on Monday.....! It's so, so worth it, though - I would hate to not have my Libre!

I'm not tempted to wear it anywhere other than on my upper arm in case of having a problem with it requiring contact with Abbott customer services. If it fails I imagine I would get short shrift - and no free replacement! - if they knew I had gone against their recommendation.

:)
 
I actually want people to see it. I'm a big nerd though, the idea of electronic implants gets me excited
You can't just put it anywhere flat as it needs to be in the right layer of tissue. Theoretically there are other places that could work, but I don't know how uniform interstitial fluid is across the body. There is a possibility that the readings could be different or less reliable because the sensor is only calibrated for one location. Or that the timing lag is different in different places.
 
Honestly, in my experience, particularly if it is on the inside of the upper arm, people really don't notice it unless you deliberately point it out to them, and if they do notice, when you say what it is, they are politely interested for all of thirty seconds and then they go back to not caring. Even wearing t-shirts/sleevless tops, I really can't remember anybody ever noticing if I didn't go out of my way to show them.
 
Liv1991 said:
Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone who uses freestyle libre sensors can help.

I've used 2 different sensors so far as per the instructions which say that it has to be inserted on the upper arm. I don't want to keep inserting it there while the weather is hot though because I don't like it being visible in sleeveless clothes.

Does anyone know why it says you can only insert it on the upper arm? I can't work out why it couldn't be out on the lower back or another flat place...

Any insight would be appreciated and if anyone has tried putting it somewhere else I'd like to know how it went. They're so expensive I don't want to try it and it go wrong!

Thanks,

Liv
Click to expand...
My son hated it on his arm. Hated that it showed and hated because it felt annoying to him. Now puts it on his thigh - happy days. Doesn't feel it going in, or notice it for the 2 weeks. Puts it on upper thigh and it's totally hidden by boxer shorts. It's worked fine for us and we trust its accuracy. If you get a rogue sensor, you notice immediately. Again - our experience. Worth a try in my opinion.
 
Liv1991 said:
Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone who uses freestyle libre sensors can help.

I've used 2 different sensors so far as per the instructions which say that it has to be inserted on the upper arm. I don't want to keep inserting it there while the weather is hot though because I don't like it being visible in sleeveless clothes.

Does anyone know why it says you can only insert it on the upper arm? I can't work out why it couldn't be out on the lower back or another flat place...

Any insight would be appreciated and if anyone has tried putting it somewhere else I'd like to know how it went. They're so expensive I don't want to try it and it go wrong!

Thanks,

Liv
Click to expand...
Hello,
I don’t know about inserting it at other locations, however I might be able to help with the self-consciousness. I really hated seeing the white, clearly medical sensor. My mom did a search and a company called grif grips makes adhesive pads that can go over the sensor. The can be used for sports but I wear them almost all the time. There are skin toned options that don’t completely hide the sensor but definitely make it harder to see. Since wearing them for a while I’ve branched out into crazier ones that are meant to be seen. I like wearing butterflies and dinosaurs frequently. I got a football for the Super Bowl. Just a thought. Hope this helps.
Dani
 
New2T1D said:
My son hated it on his arm. Hated that it showed and hated because it felt annoying to him. Now puts it on his thigh - happy days. Doesn't feel it going in, or notice it for the 2 weeks. Puts it on upper thigh and it's totally hidden by boxer shorts. It's worked fine for us and we trust its accuracy. If you get a rogue sensor, you notice immediately. Again - our experience. Worth a try in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I tried once on my left upper thigh. The readings were Libre said 4, finger test was 6. This was consistent with higher readings. Difference of 2. It went lower to 3.5 but I knew with the finger test it will be 5.5 no hypo. But still scary until you actually finger test. Unfortunately Libre 2 cannot be calibrated. Libre 3 hopefully can be. I'm in Canada. No Libre 3 here yet.
 
Then after 14 days the next Libre went to my upper tummy. Libre readings says 8 but finger test says 6. The sensor was working but there was a consistent discrepancy of Libre readings higher by 2.
 
Then after 14 days I put the sensor on my left moob (man's boob). No pain inserting, whew! The Libre readings were almost the same as finger test. Best result so far. I will try the twin moob next.
 
This ability to put the sensor to a strategic body position is very helpful. I use tslim and dexcom 7 on my upper arm. If the tslim is not close to the sensor there will be no reading on the tslim. This is major suck! But now that I know I can put the g7 on my tummy or moob(s) and g7 can be calibrated, transmission problem solved.
 
This is a common thread , personally I wear mine on the inside of my tricep but I’ve probably put my sensor anywhere than Abbot recommend, I check it occasionally with a finger prick I know its never going to be the same but if its acceptable I’m happy. As far as when ringing Abbot is concerned I’ve never had to tell them where I’ve put it when reporting a fault , and if they asked I tell them on the back of my arm where recommended how are they going to know any diffferent
 
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