Tips on making the Libre more accurate?

If it is on an arm , and the arrows on the libre aren't horizontal at scan points( indicating a moving BG either up or down) -- I would ring the customer service to discuss.

I started a libre last Friday ( activated on Saturday ) and it has been within 0.3mmol on 95% of bg vs libre.

Hopefully it's not a dud sensor as they are not cheap. If it is though - you should be able to get it replaced.

Some people report inaccuracies if they're a bit dehydrated. I'm pretty sure you'll know if you're hydrated or not however, but maybe try taking on some extra fluids to see. It won't hurt to try.

Have you got another meter to compare the Libre against? Your meter may not be conclusive on its own to deem the Libre inaccurate. I've often found differences of around 2mmol/L on different meters I've used. Its hard to say what's right because no meter, FGM or CGM is ever bang on the money.

I've read of people getting more consistent results on other parts of the body like the thigh. Not tried myself as very early days.

It may well be OK to use other sites but remember that the back of the arm is the only site tested and approved by Abbott. Get the wrong CS rep. and they will not replace a sensor that faults when at another site (if you tell them....)
Also they will only accept comparative test strip readings from Abbott Libre Optium strips.

Libre CS say not to attach the sensor 24hrs before activation. They suggest no more than 3hrs. Quite a few people have suggested 24hrs but others don't. I have found 2-3 hours adequate time for my arm to recover from any trauma that would upset readings. There is a technique for trauma free attachment- press and hold down the applicator for 20-30 seconds. You are less likely to jump and stress the needle. It also gives time for the adhesive to work.

As mentioned, test strips themselves can vary by 10-20%. So it may not be the Libre sensor that is "wrong". 3mmol/l difference is not very significant at high levels. You can have a sensor reading an acceptable 1mmol high while the test strip is reading an "acceptable" 2mmol low.
The important usefulness of the Libre is comparisons and trends. See what sends you up and down. Learn. It can be lifestyle changing! As you may guess I am absolutely converted. Don't know what I would do without those readings and graphs. After 7 days the free Libre software download becomes particularly useful to see trends and A1c predictions.

Also hydration can be important. Drink 500ml of water and see if the reading is "better" 10 minutes later.
The sensor is measuring interstitial glucose. This is usually about 10 minutes behind blood glucose so wait 10 minutes before comparing your Libre reading to a strip reading.

I have never waited to activate my sensor? I attach it and activate it straight away, it counts down the hour and then it seems to give accurate results pretty much straight away?

My Libre reader consistently reads higher than my meter - but as I've got to know that it does, I'm absolutely okay with that.

If I'm bolusing, driving or exercising I do a blood test in any case - the Libre only takes care of all my 'hmmm, how am I doing?' moments.

I always apply the sensor on the Friday night and activate it on the Sunday morning. Haven't ever activated one immediately after applying it, having read on here of people's experiences. So I can't comment on any differences there!

My own lifestyle allows me to be fairly relaxed about it, but I do appreciate that the discrepancies that some people are experiencing are a problem.

wannabemammy said:

Really? I always lose the first day to inaccuracy!

Click to expand...

Well, I spoke too soon, the second sensor I put on was fairly inaccurate for the entire time I wore it!

how accurate do people want it to be...?

how accurate does it need to be...?