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Libre 3 or Dexcom 7 for newly diagnosed child

M

mum789

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi, I'm looking for some advice.
My son is newly diagnosed as type 1. The consultant and PDN are both quite keen to get him on a CGM and have given us he option of Libre 3 or Dexcom 7. What are peoples experiences with these and will they make a difference to us.
Thanks in advance
 
Hi @mum789 and welcome to the forums.

They are both excellent pieces of kit which should make your lives much easier as compared to glucometer use, though you do still need a backup glucometer for times when your cgm may not be accurate.

Looks like they both have the ability to send current readings to the phone of family members, which should help you a lot, particularly at night when you don't want to have to worry about hypos. (And this facility may not work if your child and their phone is out of range of the internet. I have my G6 connected to my watch so I can see my levels without even having to get my phone out, but it doesn't work when I'm in the mobile phone blackspot at the bottom of my lane, even though my actual phone still gives me readings then.)

As a long term (over 50 years) T1 I've lived through the introduction of both glucometers and cgms. Cgms make a massive difference and I wouldn't be without my G6. (I haven't changed to the G7 yet so can't help you on the fine detail of L3 versus G7).

I will say that , at least in New Zealand, dexcom customer service is outstanding. (They have a 24 hour helpline for technical issues so you can call them at any time of day or night).

You say in your other thread that your husband is T1. I am guessing that he may be in the best position to judge this one, though I admire your due diligence in also seeking advice from other sources.
 
Unfortunately for my husband he's never been given the option of a CGM. So we're both new with this, but thankyou for your advice.
 
mum789 said:
Unfortunately for my husband he's never been given the option of a CGM. So we're both new with this, but thankyou for your advice.
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According to the new NICE rules all UK T1s are supposed to get cgms (or at least flash readers) now. I recommend your husband asks his GP or requests it at his next consultant appointment.


And I'll tag in @oldgreymare who is using the G7 and @tim2000s who knows a lot about cgms
 
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Thankyou
 
mum789 said:
Thankyou
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This is standalone only. G7 doesn't work yet with some pumps and unless you have really poor control you'd be expected to fund it. I believe dexcom one is funded. The situation is ridiculous. They put you on a tandem pump then say to make it work the patient has to pay for the sensor!
 
 
I would suggest dexcom they are alot better plus if you have any problems the aftercare is second to none even if you do call up asking for advice
 
Thankyou all for tour advice.
For now we have decided to try the Libre 3. We have been told that we are not tied in to anything and if we need too change our minds and go for the dexcom 7 instead, we can. Both sensors will be paid for via NHS as my son is 8.

Obviously we are aware of technical issues and phone compatability with both sensors, so all we can do is try.

Many thanks
 
Hi
My son is 17 used the libre for about 3 years now diagnosed aged 9 just changed to the 3 he loved the libre original he didn’t like the 2 inaccuracy in readings etc so changed back but obviously discontinued so has 3 has had problems with it had his hospital appointment yesterday and nurse saying a lot are having problems with it dips out sometimes as well and shows hypo when not and they have contacted Abbott so he is going to try the dexcom
 
Hi @mum789,

It sound like you aim to start with the L3. I was going to suggest this for a child as it is noticeably smaller than the G7. @becca59 may be able to give you more info, as she was part of a NHS trial using it. I think @tim2000s found it to be the most accurate sensor compared to other CGMs.

Has your son been recommended to start pump therapy? Neither L3 nor G7 have been signed off for "closed loop" integrated CGM-pump therapy - but I believe they are both undergoing testing and should be approved in 12-18 months time. Obviously they could be used to support standalone pump therapy in the meantime.

I'm a self funded Dexcom user, but reading others' posts you may need to develop a good relationship with your son's clinic pharmacists. It seems not all NHS pharmacies are familiar with the ordering protocols and timelines for either Abbots or Dexcom CGMs. That said I've found the Dexcom support services to be excellent.
 
One difference between the Libre and Dexcom devices is that the FreeStyle Libre devices are affected by vitamin C, if you take that as a supplement, whereas the Dexcom ones are not.
 
Hey mum789, a little off the topic from CGMs, (and I am on Libre 2 which is a little bit more work - no Libre 3 in Aus.). They are amazing, but should not be relied upon to give additional bolus doses or extra insulin, always do a proper blood glucose for this as the CGMs run up to 20 mins behind your actual BG.

With a newly diagnosed t1, I would strongly recommend reading a book called the "Diabetes Solution" by Dr Richard Bernstein.

It contains everything you need to know about type 1 and lots that even normal endo's either don't tell you about or don't know themselves. It is the single best thing I ever got for my diabetes.

I think every person diagnosed or carer with type 1 or 2 should be subsidies to get this book and at least be given the opportunity to have normal blood glucose all day.

It's not easy but it is possible if you are willing to follow his process, and if you don't the information is still helpful for ppl not following it 100%.

Best of luck with everything!
 
There was talk of a pump, but with it being a new diagnosis we are using Fiasp and tresiba injections to know what his ratios and BG is doing. Obviously he's in the honeymoon period And he's producing some of his own insulin.

It's been a struggle finding an affordable phone that'll work, but hopefully the libre 3 will give us some peace of mind, especially at night.
 
mum789 said:
It's been a struggle finding an affordable phone that'll work, but hopefully the libre 3 will give us some peace of mind, especially at night.
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Abbott supply readers for the L2.Is that a possibility for the L3?
 
EllieM said:
Abbott supply readers for the L2.Is that a possibility for the L3?
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I use the L2 so I can’t say anything about the L3 and readers, but I actually prefer the reader, at least for when I’m at home. It’s faster and I can set it to vibrate, which I find less disruptive (the alarm on the phone is REALLY loud and I can’t seem to set it to vibrate or a quieter alarm. If I remember to activate the L2 with the reader then scan it with my phone I can use both throughout the day.
 
mum789 said:
It's been a struggle finding an affordable phone that'll work, but hopefully the libre 3 will give us some peace of mind, especially at night.
Click to expand...
I think most older model Samsungs work, at least they do for the Libre2.
And I think you'll want to use a phone so you can share readings and have them on your phone as well.
 
I've been on the Libre for a few years and am transitioning to the Dexcom at the moment. The Libre is good, but I hear great things about the Dexcom. My reason for switching is that the Dexcom will talk to my Omnipod pumps when they release their new version later this year, allowing some basal autocorrection. This form of closed loop 'lite' really made the decision for me. Maybe worth investigating pump/sensor compatibility for the pump your son is getting?
 
DaveR28 said:
One difference between the Libre and Dexcom devices is that the FreeStyle Libre devices are affected by vitamin C, if you take that as a supplement, whereas the Dexcom ones are not.
Click to expand...
Hello, this is interesting as I am currently trying to decide between the Libre and Dexcom and I also take vitamin C daily. How does vitamin C affect the Libre?

Jen
 
My advice would be to start with the Libre3 but leave the door open for the Dexcom. The reason for this logic is that we are all different. Some bodies "prefer" (more accurate, etc) the Libre and some prefer the Dexcom. The LIbre 3 is smaller so probably more appealing to a child so I would start there,
 
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