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Starting with a Libre monitor

R

Ruth9

Member
Messages
7
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I have been advised to get a Libre monitor, but having looked on the internetI am getting confused. Can any libre users (in UK ) help me

What do I need to get started - is it a Starter pack at about £160?
Do I then need a sensor which lasts up to 14days and costs about £55 per sensor ( pack might have one to start with)
Do I need a libre reader or will my I phone act as one?
Do I need something to keep the sensor in place?

Thanking you in anticipation for any help.
 
Hi @Ruth9 welcome to the Libre team.
There is a host of posts about Libre from people which have been using it for years which are definitely worthwhile reading to understand the limitation of the sensor.
(Type "Libre" into the Search field in the top right)

To answer your questions, if you have an approved phone with NFC (take a look at the Libre Link app page on the Freestyle website), you do not need a reader ... or the starter pack ... and can just buy the sensors.
The sensor usually stays in place. Some people they find something to hold it if they are likely to be submerged for prolonger periods such as when swimming.
 
Ruth9 said:
What do I need to get started - is it a Starter pack at about £160?
Do I then need a sensor which lasts up to 14days and costs about £55 per sensor ( pack might have one to start with)
Do I need a libre reader or will my I phone act as one?
Do I need something to keep the sensor in place?
Click to expand...

If you have a phone that has NFC you should be able to use your phone instead of (or as well as) the actual reader.
Yes you need a new sensor every 14 days (if you want to continuously use them).
I found my local Asda Pharmacy the cheapest at £46.36 each - that is after I'd filled in and signed the VAT exemption form (if you are diabetic you do not have to pay VAT on it).
Some people need extra tape to keep the sensor from falling off - i do not as they stick to me like superglue (I have a fight removing them after 2 weeks)
 
Ruth9 said:
I have been advised to get a Libre monitor, but having looked on the internetI am getting confused. Can any libre users (in UK ) help me

What do I need to get started - is it a Starter pack at about £160?
Do I then need a sensor which lasts up to 14days and costs about £55 per sensor ( pack might have one to start with)
Do I need a libre reader or will my I phone act as one?
Do I need something to keep the sensor in place?

Thanking you in anticipation for any help.
Click to expand...
If you don't want the starter pack and your phone has NFC, you can download the app and buy the sensor for a cheaper price from a pharmacy. You have to call around and ask because they fulfil prescriptions first. You wear the sensor for 14 days, it provides you an applicator to apply it.
 
As mentioned above if you have a phone with NFC capabilities you could just use a phone, if iPhone it only works with iPhone 7 and above and think the android requirements are Lollipop OS and higher, yes you will need sensors and some don't need anything, personally when I got mine I was in and out of a puppy cage with a poorly cat so I stuck a Tegaderm patch over it and it's become habit to put one over it now xx
 
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