The Magic Libra

[jakay42]

I was newly diagnosed about 4 weeks ago and am currently trying the Libra for the next three months curtesy of the NHS. I have still been using the Accu -Chek (AC) as normal carb counting and all that as I have to hand the Libra back after the trial period. First thing it is very very easy to use and painless to apply to the upper arm. Change the sensor every 14 days and so far it’s not fallen off in the shower and I hardly notice I have it attached. However it is early days in my use and some anomalies have already appeared when compared to the AC readings. Bearing in mind it may take a day or two to get used to the hosts physical attributes the readings so far (and it is only a few days) appear to err on the low side compared to the AC. A 4.3 before a run on the AC prompted a plum and 50mls of Lucozade. 10 minutes later it was up to 6.0. The Libra was 3.2 and ten minutes later 3.7. If I was using the Libra as the primary reader I would not have gone out or I would have had a lot more carbs as the Libra was indicating Hypo which was not the case. However a delay in the readings is anticipated as it is not instant like using a ‘pricker’. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will got a ‘feel’ for the Libra and I must admit some reading have been the same as the AC or very close. However the Libra too erratic at this time for me to be fully confident about the accuracy although I am confident in time the Libra will prove very useful and no doubt I will put it through its paces in the next three months.

Jakay

 

[Juicyj]

Hello @jakay42 and welcome to the forum. The Libre is great for watching trends and gaining confidence with administering insulin, so for giving you a greater insight as to what is going on. I found it to be significantly out when I was either high or low by up to 3 mmol/l so for reliability my meter was much more accurate. I also appreciated knowing what was happening overnight and being able to feel more confident to sleep without hypos. There are pros and cons to the device but as a newly diagnosed type 1 it's great. If you drive please use your meter for testing beforehand as it's still not approved by DVLA

 

[wannabemammy]

I had a hypo today showed up on the Libra 2.5, drank lucozade, then tested about 2 minutes after and it showed LO which prompted me to test on the usual monitor which showed my BG as 10.5! Way too much of a difference! I've been using the Libre the last month, trying to lower the hba1c to get the go ahead to conceive but getting continuous inconsistencies which makes me not trust it. If my hba1c comes back higher than it was last month I won't continue to use it

 

[jakay42]

Thanks for the feedback it is very helpful. As a result of the inconsistencies in the Libra I have decided to not only scan with the Libra but use its strips also to assess if this accuracy is compared to my normal meter. A pain I know but why not its an expensive bit of kit and confidence in its use is what's its all about. On virtually my first try at this dual process I was disappointed. After relatively good paced 5k (for me anyway) Hypoed around 90 minutes later tested and read 3.6 0mmol/l. 10 minutes later after a half a dozen Dextrose my meter read 6.0mmol/l (need to get used to using that term). The Libra scanned me at 3.7 and 3.8 with the strip. When I carried out the procedure again ten minutes later with the Libra it had me even lower at 3.8mmol/l and 3.5mmol/l respectively. Not a good start. However I will persevere as at 6o quid a pop for one sensor it needs to be better.

Jakay