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FreeStyle Libre - Time in Target

Melgar

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1,771
Location
Canada
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
How useful do you find the Time in Target charts on the CGMs as opposed to the HbA1c numbers we get. I am reading on various sites that the Time in Target gives a far better picture of how well we are doing managing our BSs. I have mine set at 3.9 - 10.0 and I am achieving 98% in range. My graph is spiky, but more or less in range. I will spike over and hit 14. Now if I lowered my parameters to 3.9 to say 7.5 I would have a very different % stat, below 35% I would say. I'm just wondering what others think of that CGM function. Thanks in advance
 
If you are using LibreLink, you can change the TIR values anytime you like just to see....

And secondly, TIR is becoming the go-to reading for diabetic specialists. It is far more indicative of good control that a weighted average of blood cells at a single point in time. In the past that was all they had. Now it is a bit better thank heaven.
 
I look at my TIR a lot.

HbA1c is good for a general picture of how I'm doing since CGMs aren't always accurate, but HbA1c isn't perfect. Two people can have the same HbA1c, but it won't show if they're having massive spikes and epic lows, or if their line is relatively flat.

Sometimes I tighten up my target range when I find I'm having really good control. Then other times I loosen the range up, usually when I'm ill, stressed or on my period.

With each tightening of the target range, I try to reduce the spikes and dips, and smooth out my line. Or at least focus on my most out-of-range period of the day. For this, I also look at my average glucose for different parts of the day.

We get so much data from CGMs and I think TIR is a really useful stat to be aware of. Plus, you don't need to wait for your next blood test.
 
As has been said already TIR has become recognised as a better indicator of diabetes control than a basic, one-off HbA1c test.
I upload my Libre to LibreView every fortnight when I change my sensor. My last upload showed that my TIR/TIT had gone down below my usual 90%+ but this is a result of my control being altered due to steroids I've started to take. I've now started to get a better grip on things by increasing my insulin:carbs.
 
I am new to CGMs. I would like to know what dips and spikes look like. I am pre diabetic, and am keen to avoid increasing my HbA1c (44). I am 98% TIR 3.9-10.

I have minimal problem staying in zone and am on slow carb diet. I have several minor hypos at night. However, I have no idea what constitutes a significant spike or dip. Grateful for for any suggestion.
 

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I'm t2 and have a slightly different take.
So many people seem to want "cheat days" or to eat the old way. I use my TIr to show me that I'm keeping those "excursions" as low as possible as without that measure those excursions could be come far too regular, or even every day (carb creep).
I'm currently on holiday, wearing a libre constantly and am having lots of food I haven't prepared myself and tastes of foods I've missed . My tir is 97%
I'm very happy with that as I am enjoying myself and looking after myself too. The 2 things don't have to be mutually exclusive.

I don't mean to demean t1s where figures are vital, this is just my particular take on using useful technologies
 
This is mine from fasting after 12 noon day which turned out to have a huge amount of stress in it
 

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I change the targets on my phone
In the day it’s set at 4.4-8.8
On a gym day 4.4-10 while exercising then change it back to 8.8
At night 3.8-8.8 ( most nights dip to 3.8 & don’t want to be woken up every night)
Usually in target 97-100% of the time
 
How useful do I find TIR? Very.
My consultant only really talks about TIR now. Although I have an HbA1c done yearly it is not discussed in depth, just mentioned in passing. As a Type 1 a good HbA1c with lots of lows skews the result. TIR shows actual events. There is no hiding.
I have mine set at 4.2-8.5 this enables me to down a jelly baby before I dip below 4 and keep a tight reign on peaks. Yes it goes above the 8.5 but I analyse why and aim to keep it lower next time I eat a particular food, or not eat that food. It keeps me on my toes. The TIR the consultant is interested in is up to 10 And 90 days of this at the moment is over 90%.
Just a footnote: Libre for me is pretty bang on accurate. I rarely blood test these days as whenever I do they tend to be so close to not make it worth the test strip. My one rule is in the night before injecting any insulin to correct a high alarm which I have set at 10.2.
 
I agree. You can see your spikes and what is happening in your range.I find them very informative.
 
That AGP report is impressive. I haven't tried to upload mine. LibreView. Is that an app you can download onto your laptop?
 
Looking at my charts my stats would drop considerably if I tighten my target range but a great motivator
 
I think they are great. I pay for mine. I am not insulin dependant so I cannot claim on my health insurance. The Canadian government is looking into more assistance for people with diabetes. By the time that happens I will be back in the UK. The freelibre is new to me. I have only been wearing one for the last 3 months. I decided to purchase the CGMs after I did a fingerprick and my BG was 17.5. My brother gave me one of his sensors. I was very so impressed. So much information it opened up a window into what's going on with my BG. I had no idea I was spiking so much after eating.
 
Melgar said:
That AGP report is impressive. I haven't tried to upload mine. LibreView. Is that an app you can download onto your laptop?
Click to expand...

LibreView

www.libreview.com
It's here, and it has a lot more useful graphs as well.
If you go to the website you can set up an account. If you use the phone app for your Libre the information of the app should already be in LibreView, if you use the reader you can upload the data by connecting the reader to your laptop.
 
Melgar said:
That AGP report is impressive. I haven't tried to upload mine. LibreView. Is that an app you can download onto your laptop?
Click to expand...
Hi @Melgar, @Antje77 has answered with the link to LibreView: It's well worth setting up an account as the LibreView report gives a huge amount of data - it runs to several pages, I just showed the first page of my last report. I just connect my reader to my PC to upload data as I don't use a phone.
 
Thanks Miahara for that, I'll set one up.

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Awesome thanks Antje77

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