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Freestyle libre sensor

Layah2013

Layah2013

Well-Known Member
Messages
60
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Does anyone know why the libra sensor is only for age 4 upwards, as i was looking into using this cgm but it says from age 4 upwards, which is a little strange as the dexcom goes in your arm like the libra and that can be used from age 2

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Layah2013 said:
Does anyone know why the libra sensor is only for age 4 upwards, as i was looking into using this cgm but it says from age 4 upwards, which is a little strange as the dexcom goes in your arm like the libra and that can be used from age 2

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Click to expand...
My guess would be because there is no calibration facility for the Libre system.

Basically with the Dexcom setup, you calibrate once or twice per day from a finger prick test so the system can adjust itself to suit the individual from the reference BGL value inputted to the receiver.

The Libre has no way to calibrate itself so it's a "one size fits all" system. It has an algorithm to convert interstitial fluid data into a BG reading in either mmol/L or mg/dL. I'd imagine that this algorithm would struggle with accuracy when attached to the body of a small child vs that of a fully grown adult. In other words the algorithm has been constructed in such a way to suit the vast majority of people.

How much of the above is true I don't know as it's only my guess. I can't imagine it'll be long until sensors for small children become available.

I'm sure someone clever will come along and give the definite reason for this. Until then you'll have to tolerate my guesswork:)

Grant
 
litigation I'd imagine and also what Grant says above! (And this is no way the definitive or cleverer answer!)
 
GrantGam1337 said:
My guess would be because there is no calibration facility for the Libre system.

Basically with the Dexcom setup, you calibrate once or twice per day from a finger prick test so the system can adjust itself to suit the individual from the reference BGL value inputted to the receiver.

The Libre has no way to calibrate itself so it's a "one size fits all" system. It has an algorithm to convert interstitial fluid data into a BG reading in either mmol/L or mg/dL. I'd imagine that this algorithm would struggle with accuracy when attached to the body of a small child vs that of a fully grown adult. In other words the algorithm has been constructed in such a way to suit the vast majority of people.

How much of the above is true I don't know as it's only my guess. I can't imagine it'll be long until sensors for small children become available.

I'm sure someone clever will come along and give the definite reason for this. Until then you'll have to tolerate my guesswork:)

Grant
Click to expand...
Ok thanks for that just that my daughter is 3 years old and they said she can wear it when shes 4 years old i just didnt think theres much of a difference from 3 -4 years as in her arm is much the same size now it was last year and some 4 year olds are smaller than her already its just strange

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Not that I'd ever suggest going against what the manufacturer advises. And as @slip says, litigation is one of their main concerns.

I suppose there would be no harm in trying as it's at your own risk. As you said, the difference in age <1 year shouldn't make a monumental difference. If you were to try a sensor below the manufacturer's minimum age cut off then I'd be sure to closely check it against actual BGL measurements from a meter.

At the end of the day the Libre is merely an aid to normal BGL testing.

Grant
 
GrantGam1337 said:
Not that I'd ever suggest going against what the manufacturer advises. And as @slip says, litigation is one of their main concerns.

I suppose there would be no harm in trying as it's at your own risk. As you said, the difference in age <1 year shouldn't make a monumental difference. If you were to try a sensor below the manufacturer's minimum age cut off then I'd be sure to closely check it against actual BGL measurements from a meter.

At the end of the day the Libre is merely an aid to normal BGL testing.

Grant
Click to expand...
Yes thankyou for that i asked her dsn and she said it only says for 4 years upwards as its only just been lisenced in febuary, but you can use it for younger if want to do so yourself they just cant state younger than that till they licence it for under 4s but her dsn said lots of children under that age wear them

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before it was licensed for children, many still used it on their kids (but probably not as young as your daughter), however if there was a problem with a sensor when they reported it to Abbot they had to 'lie' about the childs age to be able to get a replacement! Just saying! Hopefully if you go with it you won't get too many duff sensors.
 
slip said:
before it was licensed for children, many still used it on their kids (but probably not as young as your daughter), however if there was a problem with a sensor when they reported it to Abbot they had to 'lie' about the childs age to be able to get a replacement! Just saying! Hopefully if you go with it you won't get too many duff sensors.
Click to expand...
Ok thankyou

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