FreeStyle Libre Just Got 10x Better

Abbott recently announced a number of important upgrades to their FreeStyle Libre CGM system. These will impact users of FreeStyle Libre 2, FreeStyle Libre 3 and those of you who are considering to use continuous glucose monitor along with an insulin pump, such as Tandem or Omnipod, to create a closed loop and benefit from automated insulin delivery.

10% discount on Skin Grip patches for your CGM sensors (code: TYPEONETALKS)

I regularly release videos covering diabetes topics. Let me know if you have any questions or topics you would like me to cover. I really appreciate your input!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and my videos are not medical advice. What works for me might not work for others. Please consult your medical professional regarding your diabetes treatment. The content of this video was not discussed with or approved by Abbott, the company behind the FreeStyle Libre system.

Disclosure: Links in the video description might include affiliate links (I will receive a small provision if you use these links for your purchase).

#typeonetalks

[vickyburton]

I love my Free Style Libre! I am a type 2 diabetic, but am extremely insulin resistant. A CGM has educated me on what lifestyle changes I have had to make to be healthy and I am keeping my A1C at 5.9.

[Vasiliskat]

I don't understand why Abbott still hasn't made a widget so we don't open the app and also make it possible to see the numbers on a smartwatch. I think it's unacceptable

[jcSealy]

I have ‘fake lows’ from putting pressure on the sensor on back of arm at night. I’ve moved it to the front of my arm, better so far.

[andy]

Thanks for this update on libre .🎉.I only started using this year after 46 year diabetes, Have found your channel to be inspiration 🎉

[icecreamforever]

All I want to hear is the price has fallen 75%

[mrsdisney]

I agree that being able to use a finger stick as a calibration for Dexcom G7 is what will keep me using Dexcom. I had too many false lows and inaccurate readings when using the Libre 3.

[Afterhoursangel]

Thanks for your videos ! The Libre system is what helped me to go into Diabetes type 2 into remission. I was diagnosed type 2 in August 2019 with an A1C of 11.9, I was put on a few diabetic medications which helped, then Endo switched to a combo medication which landed me in ER severely dehydrated with ECG changes, so I was told to stop those and given back the original ones, I changed my diet ended my nursing career while on sick leave since Oct 1st 2020, retired March 2020 (applied in Nov 2019). In January 2020 I switched my diet drastically and by end March 2020 my A1c was down to 6.5 %, by end of may my A1C was 5.8 %, all diabetic medications were stopped and I manage with diet alone since may 28th 2020. I wear a Libre which helps see my numbers in real time and if my numbers are higher change portion if still high eliminate the food in question. Now my A1C is hovering around 6.3 % but my Cortisol levels are elevated as I have autoimmune diseases, so as long as I remain below 6.5 % they will not treat the diabetes as for over 30 yrs I was known for reactive hypoglycemia and while on diabetic medications I had many hypos hence wearing a Libre, having both hypoglycemia and diabetes is tricky so a CGM reallyhelps a lot. Apparently the reactive hypoglycemia condition since my 20's is now known as pre diabetes and our A1C might only be treated at 7.0 % as I still get hypos while off medications. But any new diabetic can use a CGM and know more how their diabetes works. I hjave 18 diseases with no cure, hence a lot of inflammation hence A1C might be higher due to these inflammatory diseases. CGM have saved my life many times, the Libre 2 wakes me up at night when I go hypo. Diabetes remission is possible if at early stages of diagnosis, there is no cure, there is no reversal, but remission is considered when you are at least 6 months off diabetic medications and A1C below 6.5 %, but even if in remission, as with my other diseases, you can still have moments were the numbers go up, in my case autoimmune diseases is what causes this.

[fabriciomarciano]

Congratulations again, Tom. Another excellent video. To bad we only have Freestyle libre 1 in Brazil...

[justinohara]

I really appreciate your channel. As a new Type 2 it has been very helpful getting started with the CGMs. Tried a freestyle libre 3 as a trial. Will switch to the Dexcom g7 today as they are the one my insurance will mostly cover. Your comparisons video have been very helpful!

[Starkman]

I initially had a problem with Libre 3 sensors coming off, tried adhesive covers, wasn't happy about the adhesion or the appearance. I found a product called Skin-Tac Wipes, that apply a pre-adhesive to the skin before the sensor is applied. I have not lost a sensor in 5 months since using them. Very inexpensive on Amazon.

[fretless]

Just for the record, the Eversense CGM lasts for 6 months, though it's implanted and not really in the same ballpark as the others you compared. I did try earlier Libre CGM and had a skin reaction to their adhesive; I'm not sure if that's changed for the better, though you say you had issues with adhesion. I envy you for having access to Ypsomed; they bought a US-based infusion set manufacturer and moved production of the Orbit infusion sets. As a result, we can't get them here anymore. I LOVED those Orbit Micro sets, 31G steel sets that rotated... awesome.

[stevenwymor]

15 days is not a huge improvement. I’d prefer to change them on the same day of the week and so prefer 14 days. If they improved them to 21 days, that would be a huge upgrade. Also, retrieving readings every minute is a HUGE battery drain on the phone. I’d prefer to be able to choose the interval manually. And I also want to be able to silence alarms. They can be very disruptive. The app doesn’t allow for manual override.

[ccbbs]

Thanks for the update. I use the Libre 2 to monitor my type 2 and not getting real-time data was the one thing I've wanted but didn't want to spend the extra money for the 3 to get it. Looking forward to trying the new software when I change sensors. Thanks for sharing all the helpful information.

[Ronibearable]

I use Libre 3, my choice as I pay for mine out of my own pocket in the US bc insurance does not cover. I do agree that being able to adjust how frequently it pings the phone would be helpful. 3 does allow me to silence alarms and I have had no problems with adhesive using Skin Tac and an alternative sight. My arms are very dry, and that causes adhesive problems, so switching sites solved that.

[ayman_khuzundar]

Big differences ! Good work Abbot.
But really really they need to make some changes to alarm settings, especially that limited, annoying sound options that lets everyone in the room say “whats going on with you ??”

[ihnestorenko]

Great job! I'd love to see it available in Brazil, today just Libre 1 with a crasy expensive price is available

[embeddedautomation]

Thanks for the informative video! I quit using the FreeStyle Libre because the app does not allow you to mute the low glucose alarm. Several times I rolled over during the night and had the sensor fail on me which resulted in waking up to a screeching low glucose alarm (wifey was also not pleased with waking up to the alarm). When I get the low glucose alarm, the sensor is broken and does not start working again (perhaps the capillary is getting bent?). I've also caused the same failure by accidently scraping the sensor against a door jam. Anyway, the CGMs are quite fragile and never last more than a week for me. I tried to get an adhesive patch to protect them, but the one I tried gave me a severe allergic reaction to the adhesive. I'm hoping the technology will improve, or maybe I can find a better place to attach the CGM other than the back of my arm...

[rockoable]

I'm a diabetic type 2, very informative and I enjoyed the video, thanks for the heads up about this new product freestyle libre 2 Plus, and what's upcoming in the pipeline, I'm in the panhandle of Idaho on the Montana Canadian border in Idaho.

[PsychNurse.]

I've Libre 3 and agree that adjustments for calibration would be a plus. A big improvement, plus.

[libove]

Thanks for all that you share! You note that you prefer to put a cover over the sensor, to reduce the likelihood of the sensor falling off/ being knocked off. I wonder, in Abbott's materials I think regarding clothing to wear with/over the sensor I came across a completely unexplained aside mention of "to let it breathe". Have you been able to learn whether in fact the sensor NEEDS "to breathe", to not be covered air-tight, etc? Or was that just a poorly worded way of the Abbott documentation emphasizing that tight clothing may make it more likely that the sensor would get tugged off sometimes (but, actually, "air" and "breathing" have nothing to do with it)? thanks!