4 Best Sites for FreeStyle Libre Sensor Placement

I discuss my top 4 favorite sites for Freestyle Libre sensor placement - chest, thigh, upper arm, and hips. I review each sensor location in terms of placement, accuracy, comfort, and durability.

I talk about main advantages and disadvantages of each sensor site and explain why some spots might be preferred by certain FreeStyle Libre users compared to others based on their lifestyle and body shape. Watch this video to learn about these alternative locations and see which site is best for you and your FreeStyle Libre sensor placement.

0:00 Intro
0:30 Freestyle Libre approved sensor site
1:05 Alternative sites for FreeStyle Libre sensor placement
1:45 Favorite Libre spot #4: Hips
2:50 Favorite Libre site #3: Upper arm
3:54 Favorite Libre location #2: Thigh
5:01 Best Libre sensor site: Chest

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Thank you very much for watching! Please, share this video with anyone who might be considering alternative FreeStyle Libre sensor locations.

I regularly release videos covering type 1 diabetes topics. Let me know if you have any questions or topics you would like me to cover. I really appreciate your input!

Disclaimer: The only officially approved site for FreeStyle Libre sensor is upper arm. Use any other sites at your own risk. I am not affiliated with Abbott, the manufacturer of Freestyle Libre sensors. I am not a medical professional and my videos are not medical advice. Please consult your medical professional regarding your diabetes treatment. Description section of my videos includes affiliate links. If you use these links for your purchase I will receive a small provision and you can support my channel.

Thumbnail Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash

[TypeOneTalks]

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[annabinetti]

Finally heard what I wanted to hear. Upper chest is the best. How many times has it fallen off my arm? Every time! So frustrating. Damn door frames, taking off t-shirts, just flipping over in bed, Etc.

[vickyburton]

I am an extremely insulin resistant type 2 diabetic. I love the Libre 2. It has helped me make food choices and exercise decisions. I really recommend this for any type 2 diabetics who have trouble controlling their BG levels.

[helennunnally]

Definitely the chest area! I’ve been using FSL 2 since 2020. After trial and error (sleeping came off, doors-knocked off) it’s the BEST spot. I can always hide it under and away from my bra so it’s safe and my numbers are accurate! That’s what’s most important ACCURACY! Hope this helps someone.

[pavelp]

Good we have someone like you who is doing this sort of things for us ... to let have different point of view.
Thank you Tom.

[SuperBeka]

Hi Tom, my dad is type 2 and we have been watching your videos because we had no clue how to even start with the sensor! We just started using the "chest" area because the upper arm was driving us crazy! It would over heat, fall off, get in the way, loose connection all night, just on and on. Since we moved to the chest it looks like its working much better now.

[shehnazshiraz]

Hi Tom. I have been using the approved site for libre sensor since I started using one. The last couple of times tho, I've applied the sensor to the inner part of my upper arm such that the sensor is positioned between my arm and the side of my chest. I find this spot perfect because the sensor does not get in the way of any activity especially my regular yoga practice. Also more comfortable as o can sleep in any position I like. My yoga exercises will not allow me to use hips or thighs. I'm a little scared to apply it to my chest haha. Anyway this new location is working quite well for me. Thanks for the video Tom. Stay well.

[thirusathy]

I like your hip idea because Shakira also said that hips don't lie 😊

[leonardstark]

Thanks so much for the info Tom! I am usually a sucker for following instructions and somewhat of a chicken as well; you see, I am an RN. I have also wanted to find different areas for sensor placement but wondered about the accuracy. So, I want to thank you for being the "Go To" guy for layman's reference material and for being the Guinee pig with the answers; I tried it---it works! God Bless You, Fr. Len

[melanieb]

Watched this video a couple of months ago out of frustration with the upper arm placement. It never ever stayed on a full 2 weeks; an expensive failure. Have just experimented with upper chest (just inside bra strap) & it's stayed on the whole time! Thank you so much for your video :)

[solandedestin]

Love the thigh idea. Uhmmm chest is good too. I'm tired of this thing falling off. Gee i didn't know they would replace it.

[DoubleODanny]

I'm a newly diagnosed diabetic and I'm very glad to have found this video as I really dislike having the sensor on the back of my arm. Thank you for the video!

[heathermunday]

I'm going to try chest placement next time. That said, I have found that the FRONT of the upper arm works very well. I've never knocked it off on a door jam, I can see it clearly for placement, and I can keep an eye on it throughout the use period.

[xxKylieexx]

Thank you for your videos. My fiance is T1D and our toddler was just diagnosed. We got her the libre so your videos have been so helpful!

[logan]

Greatly appreciate eveything you do for us diabetics. Diagnosed T2 in early 2020. Began using the 14-day several months ago. Went with upper chest. One month ago I went with the arms as recommended. Little to no difference vs chest. The great majority of the time I find this Libre CGM to be 20% or greater different from my glucose meter. At times low, others high. I have 2 meters of different brands. Very close to each other. Even allowing for lag time, I simply have no confidence in the CGM. At 75.00 monthly I may soon send it down the road. Of course, if we ever get the 3 model, i might give it a go. Pricking the fingers 4 + times daily gets pretty old as well. Thanks again.

[NeoLotex]

Hey Tom,
thanks for the great video. A person on Facebook recommanded it to me an hours ago and while it's completely logical to place the sensor somewhere else I've never really given it a thought except move it around a bit on the upper arm and change arms every 2 weeks when change the sensor.
I've switched the Libre 3 late summer last year and I have to say it seems less accurate than version 2 for me, especially with a new sensor. The last few times it always had a deviation of 20-25 poins, sometimes up to 30 while a completely fresh sensor sometimes had up to 50, so I always have to give the device somewhere between 5-10 blood tests so it narrows it down, so giving other areas a try is a great suggestion.
One thing I've found for myself that works exceptionally well is a piece of Fixomull which sticks really well to your skin, even better if you used an alcohol pad to rub your skin down beforehand.
Greetings from Germany and have a great day.

[lindalou]

My very first sensor I had on for about 30 seconds until I hit the door jam. 😂 I’m going to try the chest next!

[tammybushnell]

LOL. Since my Libre2 notifies me when it loses its signal, when I misplace my iPhone, I go out of range and my iPhone beeps! Great way to find my phone! ❤️

[Spyre]

I like putting my sensor on the inside of my upper arm, due to it not getting in the way with my active climbing life style and sleeping positions. I should warn people though, that if you are skinny like me, the upper inside arm can be painful if you hit one of your nerves running down the inside of your arm. I managed to hit my median nerve on my last sensor which caused my arm to seize, and I got severe stabbing/shooting pain all the way down to my fingers. It was too bad for me to continue with it, and I had to remove the sensor after only 2 days. My arm/nerve was in shock for a few days after that and now I'm quite pedantic when putting in a new sensor. This was a very rare case, but it's not fun going through the pain and costs associating with replacing a sensor prematurely.

I enjoy hearing your tips and experiences Type One Talks.

[kellyjane]

So glad to have this video available. Thank you