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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Deleted member 527103" data-source="post: 2613168">CGMs like Libre are brilliant pieces of kit but only if you understand their limitations. Sadly, DSNs seem not to explain these so we have to learn ourselves.The main limitations are- Libre is designed to be most accurate at “normal” levels. This is between about 4 and 9. For this reason it is ALWAYS recommended to test highs and low with a finger prick before treating (unless you are experiencing an obvious hypo).- When pressure is applied to a CGM, such as lying on it when you are asleep, it will report a false low. This is called a compressor low and is another reason for testing highs and lows before treating.- Some of us find our bodies initially react the the alien object stuck in our arms. As a result, Libre readings may be inaccurate for the first day or two. Therefore, some of us insert our sensors up to 48 hours before activating.- CGMs do not read blood, they read interstitial fluid. These readings are about 15 minutes behind finger prick readings. However, Libre accounts for this delay by extrapolating the current trend on the graph. This works well most of the time. However, if the trend changed direction in the last 15 minutes, Libre does not know and will extend the wrong trend resulting in reports of highs that take longer to come down and hypos that take longer to recover. Again, another reason for checking recovery with finger pricks.- some Libre can be more inaccurate than others. If this happens, Abbott is pretty good at replacing them if you report it to them.- Libre is factory calibrated. Some of us find our body is different to “factory man” and would like to calibrate the readings. There are a number of unofficial apps such as xDrip, Diabox, Shuggah, … that allow calibration. They also have the added advantage that they can take the readings from Bluetooth so you do not need to scan the sensor. However, these rarely have good setup instructions and assume a level of technical wizardry.I think my first point may account for your higher readings.I also noted that you said your fingers are sore from less than 2 weeks of finger pricking. This may mean you need to review your finger pricking technique. Before the popularity of Libre, many of us wer finger pricking 10 times a day and did not have sore fingers. The usual advice is- adjust the prick depth to the shallowest that will extract blood.- make sure your hands are clean and warm. Washing in warm water helps both of these requirements.- prick the side of the fleshy part of your finger.- rotate your fingers. Make sure you use all fingers (some say not to use fire fingers but I have never had an issue).</blockquote>

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