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Libre 3 or Dexcom 7 for newly diagnosed child

I'm not sure about a separate sensor for the libre 3, but I'll ask.

Thankyou all for the advice
 
Be aware that currently there is a problem with alarms on Libre 2 and possibly Libre 3. This started a few months back with some software upgrades. It affects at least many Android phones. It's a Bluetooth issue and means you have to reset BT if a red alarm flag appears otherwise there will be no alarms. Other than this problem the Libre is great.
 
Dexcom is great. I dont know much about the Libre 3 but we self funded Dexcom for 3 years before being approved for funding. We have a hybrid closed loop with the Tandem T Slim and will hopefully transition to hybrid closed loop with the Omnipod 5 once released. The best thing about Dexcom is the remote monitoring. We can monitor BG 24/7 when she's at school, with a friend etc. and text/call if we're concerned. Also, you can set Dexcom up with Alexa so you can just ask Alexa what your blood sugar is! Dont know if you can do that with Libre.
 
By the way, this is Dexcom G6, not G7. G7 is not compatible with pumps yet. Should be in the near future but these things take time to be tested and approved.
 
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
Hi Jen, the Libre gives readings which are incorrectly too high. I'm not sure just how much vit C you need to be taking to notice this. I take 2g (ie 2000mg) a day and this seems to cause readings to be up to 4mmol/l too high (confirmed with a blood check). Generally though they're about 1-2 mmol/l high which I just take account of myself. Also, the error is lower the lower the reading. Abbott have confirmed this error, it's in their leaflets somewhere. I phoned Dexcom and they confirmed that their sensors are not affected. So I'll be asking to switch to Dexcom next time I have my annual diabetes check-up.
 
Just switched to dexcom 7. Very easy to use. Easy to share data between parent/child. I self fund and use a patch pump omnipod dash. I can’t fault the dexcom so far and customer care is excellent.
 
G7 works very well. As well as G6 & like G6 has the advantage of continuously sending readings to your phone or reader unlike Libre. I haven't used L3 but L2 I was allergic to, as it seems quite a number of people are, which isn't so much of an issue with Dexcom devices & isn't an issue at all for me with Dexcom. Don't know if Libre have solved that with L3. I switched to Dexcom before L3 came out & wouldn't go back.
 
yes me i like the libre and i will only use the reader as when driving my wife can with a swipe if on my left arm its straight to scan fast and in my life time of readers pretty good guide but but my ACC-CHEK IS MORE ACCURATE ON FINGER PRICK blood test
remember 60 years ago none of this then WEE TEST BUT REGRDS VIC
 
Hi there

It’s a good question to ask. My 12yr old son was diagnosed in September last year and on discharge from hospital was set up with a Libre 3. As a Type 1 diagnosed a toddler and a Libre 2 user myself this felt like a pragmatic way for both my son and me/ his Father to track his BG’s and the alarms especially overnight have a sense of reassurance. We were then transitioned to the DexCom in early November in preparation for him being moved onto a pump at some point in 2023….. the experience with the Dexcom from the get go was an absolute nightmare. The training was via a Teams call and the Dexcom rep simply rattled through a PowerPoint deck, was dismissive and sarcastic in response to questions from the parents on the call and constantly stated how it was “ so much more advanced and accurate than the Libre.” 6 weeks of using the Dexcom saw over 50% of the time the finger prick readings Vs the Dexcom “high / low” alarms were out by over 60% , it’s bulky compared to the Libre ( the Libre3 is around the size of a 20p coin where as the Dexcom is about 2 or so inches long?) The Dexcom caused bruising and bleeding when inserted despite being in line with documented instructions- the Libre 3 creates a puncture mark when removed after 14 days but it heals quickly and doesn’t seem to scar. This is important for me as my son is still pen controlled so uses his arms to inject. By the Dexcom reps own admission the surgical plasters fail regularly before the 10day CGM expiration and she advised “ to log onto the Dexcom website and lie about the reason for the kit failing or you’ll be asked to buy additional plasters to cover the surgical plaster … we know it’s an issue but you only get a 30 day supply of kit “. I kid you not Safe to say from my sons experience I wouldn’t touch the Dexcom with a barge- pole. I’ve been asked by my DSN & Consultant to consider it as a pump user and it will be a resounding “nope” . The trade off however is that my son won’t be put in the queue for a pump as he has been very badly impacted psychologically by the Dexcom and would rather stay on his pen treatment than engage with this kit? Appreciate we might as a family might be the outliers on this and we’ve had the ability to ‘test drive ‘ both devices but it’s the Libre 3 any day if the week from our side. If you can get the option to try both then they might help settle your final decision but appreciate that might not be an option. Good Luck and do update once you’ve made the jump!
 
Thankyou, we are waiting training for the libre 3 and see how that goes.
 
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 use L2 with a reader as I don’t have a suitable phone (really ancient Nokia but it works well and does all I need it to). The reader stores up to 90 days of data on it and downloading it is easy via a usb port with the charging cable. This can then be easily accessed by healthcare professionals and the data stored for future reference if required. I have only had the occasional problem with the sensors and Abbott are very good about replacing them. The reader can be set to alarm at whatever levels you choose, optional signal loss alarm and choice of vibration and volume too.
 
Does the reader send values to the librelink up app?
 

Hi, what age is your child? Here suggest the Libre is for 4 up.. https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/products/freestyle-libre-cgm-kids.html

Where the Dexcom. 2up.. https://www.dexcom.com/en-gb/blog/type-one-diabetes-monitor-cgm

I have a colleague with a newly DX 3 year old late last year? Which could suggest why the Dexy G6 is pinned to him other than the Libre?
 
Dexcom no question about it. But if he will be going on a pump u may have to use the Dexcom G6 rather than the newer G7, which is what I have and is amazing. Superb support from Dex in the UK.
 
He's 8yrs old
A fine age.. I was DX’d at that age 46 years back. My experience with the Libres have been great. (That’s 1 & 2. Not had a chance at the MK111 yet.)

Others have have had issues with their Libre & tech. I found easy work arounds to gain reliable “CGM experience with my Libres.
& love them. Lol, it’s all VHS & Betamax on choice.

If your lad feels self conscious it might be worth discussing with him regarding how he might feel about the Dexy profile? As opposed to the Libre 3’s
If he’s cool at school. The go for the Dexcom. Possibly your HCPs could let him trial both?

I don’t mind working out my own issues with Libres but the potential faff for you & the lad on top of everything else that comes with the “package” might be avoided with the Dexy… My colleague with the 3 year old got no real tech suport from their DSNs.

So Dexcom customer care for your situation may be another plus..

Good luck!
 
Dexcom no question about it.
Why?
I have not used the Libre 3 or Dexcom 7 but I have used Libre 2 and Dexcom 6.
My preference by far is Libre. I found the Dexcom bulky and the phone app very immature (and supported on very few phones).
For me, I found the Libre more accurate. I know the Dexcom used to be considered the best but we are all finding that our bodies are different - the best for one person may not be the best for someone else.
Hence my earlier advice to try one (I suggested Libre 3 as it is smaller so likely to be better for a small person) but leave the door open for the other.

... because there most certainly is a question about it - "which CGM suits your* body best?"
*or in the OP's case, "your son's "
 
Abbott supply readers for the L2.Is that a possibility for the L3?
I believe that Abbott will supply a L3 reader as part of the first prescription. Not sure if it can be set up to share alerts, etc to a phone.
 
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