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Libre

C

Craigh82

Member
Messages
17
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi all. I was diagnosed with T1 in March due to pancreatitis. In January I will be training for the libre patch for testing blood glucose levels. I was just wondering if anyone on here has or is using this format of testing and is it as accurate. Thanks craig.
 
Hi Craig
Ive been using the libre for 2 years.It can be a bit hit and miss at times but generally i think its pretty good.I self fund mine but i think they will be on prescription dependant on postcode,soon.
The most useful thing i find about it is that it shows an arrow,you can see if your blood sugar is going up/down or is stable.
 
@Craigh82 diabetes caused by pancreatitis is called type 3c. There is a sub forum on type 3c here - http://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/category/type-3c-pancreatic-diabetes.73/ - that you might want to check out. Type 1 is autoimmune diabetes, rather than pancreatic diabetes. Type 1 and type 3c are treated the same. But as a type 3c there might be a few more issues you need to be aware of like:
  • type 1 autoimmune attack only kills off beta cells in the pancreas, with type 3c you lose both beta cell and alpha cell function. The job of the alpha cells is to react to a hypo by releasing glucagon, a hormone that tells your liver to release glucose. So a type 3c needs to be even more careful about hypos.
  • A type 3c on creon might have difficulties with fatty food, so recommendations for a high fat diet may need to be cautiously recieved.
If you use the search box on the top left hand corner of the page you will find hundreds of threads about the libre.
 
Thank you for that. I thought before how can I be type1 but the nurses on my ward and the diabetic center nurses have only mentioned T1. I will mention when I see them on the 3rd January about being 3c.
 

I used it for about a year and found it was pretty accurate. However, I then developed an allergy to the sensor and it became increasingly inaccurate (not sure if these two facts are related), and I've now stopped using it for a while to see if it becomes usable if my arms have a rest. I would recommend it with the proviso that you do occasional blood tests to verify its accuracy. If it's working well (and it seems to for many/most people) then the night time information is invaluable.

Good luck.
 
Thank you for the comment. I'm a carer and I think that I'll find it suitable when I go house to house. It will save me from getting the kit out and testing every two hours.
 
Craigh82 said:
Thank you for the comment. I'm a carer and I think that I'll find it suitable when I go house to house. It will save me from getting the kit out and testing every two hours.
Click to expand...

Not if you're driving it won't. It is not recognised by the DVLA. If you are driving you will still be required to finger prick.
 
I asked that question and because it's coming on prescription they said yes. I think I'll ask the question again before I start back work in January.
 
Nothing is really accurate. I was told only to use the same lab for HbA1c as different labs do it different ways and hence differing results. The stuff we play with is more a guide. Strips and the Libre are not accurate however the Libre lags by about 15 min
 
I doubt the libre will ever be approved by the DVLA due to the fact that it is testing the subcutaneous tissue and not blood, blood glucose monitors will always be more accurate so drivers need to continue by this method to protect their driving licences.
 
Where does it actually state 'blood test not interstitial'. Not doubting anyone, but just wonder if they are just behind the loop like NHS with low carbing etc.
 
I don't think the lag has any thing to do with it as they are quite happy with 2 hourly tests. And I'm still not convinced, it says you should test. Stating BG is all there was in the past. I can't see where in says it can't be interstitial. Could it be that they just haven't caught up with the curve?
 
@barrym In the same stance it doesn't say you can use subcutaneous fluid to test, but I'm sure it says you must Blood Glucose test before driving etc etc 'Blood Glucose' being the operative word(s). Having said that I thought the DVLA were possibly going to change the wording to allow CGM type devices.

Do a blood test and you get a 5.1, great I can drive safely! - scan and get a 5.1 with a down arrow, you'd do something about that before driving............I know which one I'd prefer!

catapillar said:
with type 3c you lose both beta cell and alpha cell function. The job of the alpha cells is to react to a hypo by releasing glucagon
Click to expand...

As always you're a mind of information, I didn't know that - but thinking about it it's perhaps obvious, well now you've mentioned it anyway.

@EllieM I gave the sensor a long break to see if it would help with the reaction, sadly it didn't, but have you tried an antihistamine? Piriton seemed to help me a bit, but I had to not miss a dose or it'll flare up and cause inaccuracies - I stupidly ran out and didn't buy another bottle for a day or 2 and that did the 'damage'.

@Craigh82 All I'll say is a fab bit of kit when it's working well - which should be pretty much all the time for most people.
 

The dvla guidelines say you must take a blood glucose measurement before driving and every 2 hours while driving. You must not drive if blood glucose is under 4 and if it is under 5 you should eat carbs before driving.

It's quite clear that a blood glucose measurement is not the same thing as a CGM or libre measurement which is measuring interstitial fluid.
 
My libre worked perfectly for ages and ages, then it stopped working. While I'm sure I'm in a minority I'd still advocate some blood glucose checks before you believe the libre results. For me, it under reads so badly that it's useless, I've read others say it over reads...
Having said that. I left the UK in 1999 when there were no rules about blood tests before driving. I can see the reasoning though I'm personally quite happy to sit on a blood sugar of 5 and wouldn't necessarily want to increase it. Having said that, a hypo when driving is about as dangerous as you can go....(Kill others plus yourself).
 
catapillar said:
It's quite clear that a blood glucose measurement is not the same thing as a CGM or libre measurement which is measuring interstitial fluid.
Click to expand...

I agree that 'today' there is a well understood difference, although the difference in readings may be debatable, my point is that at the point that guidance was written there was no other wording to use. That may have carried over through the recent amendments without alterations or proof reading of what hadn't been changed. I still think without a 'you must not use....' it is not clear cut.

I suppose I could contact them. What are the chances of finding someone who a) knows and b) doesn't just give an opinion as fact?
 
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