FreeStyle Libre vs Dexcom | Which is ACTUALLY Better

Summary of key differences between FreeStyle Libre and Dexcom will help you get the CGM sensor which is right for you and your blood sugar management needs.

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To win the free 6 month Patreon membership comment under this video within the first 7 days after the video is posted and tell me why you would like to win this membership. I will randomly select one of the responses and the author will receive the free 6 month membership.

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. I am not affiliated with Abbott or Dexcom and the content of this video was not discussed with or approved by these companies. I just use and love their products and share my experience.

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

#typeonetalks

[TypeOneTalks]

To win the free 6 month Patreon membership comment under this video within the first 7 days after the video is posted and tell me why you would like to win this membership. I will randomly select one of the responses and the author will receive the free 6 month membership.

[EmirKilicaslan]

I have diagnosed with type 1 diabetes 4.5 months ago. My Hab1c was 14.7 according to the test that i gave 15 days ago. They put me into treatment in hospital to get my blood sugar down immediately. 1.5 months ago, i gave a test and my Hab1c was 7.1. I am doing so much better now. My first goal is to get 6.5.
I started to watch your videos on the hospital bad back in the day and here I am. I will be here as long as you keep doing videos. Thanks for all the work you done for us, for me.
Also i would love to win patreon giveaway because i need every piece of information i can get :).

[KevinWyrick]

Tom, as a recently diagnosed T1, I have found your videos to be invaluable. The information you have shared about not only how to manage this disease with insulin and CGMs has helped reduce my learning curve tremendously. However, the times you have opened up about your own personal struggles as a youth and your progression to taking better care of your glucose challenges are what really spoke to me as I begin to wrap my mind around this new life. Like many others here, I also feel like I would benefit from your free Patreon trial. Thank You.

[Crussman]

The Dexcom has helped me to lower my A1C to 5.9. It's a life saver.

[mrdaws]

I’d like to win because after being a diabetic for 36 years, I’ve learnt more from you than the doctors. Not just the ‘numbers’ side of being a diabetic, but the real life stuff, the practical stuff. My hba1c has improved significantly, I’ve lost a ton weight and generally feel like I’m making some REAL progress. Many thanks.

[Pdtken]

I found you because my situation with insurance almost forced me onto a cgm. I am type 2 and have found your videos very informative and enlightening regarding this new endeavor. Being able to view your patreon would allow me more insights that you have as you have experienced so much in your own personal journey. Thank you

[hanifhosseiny]

I follow you and keep watching almost all your videos because I have a 10 YO son with type 1 and just found out about his situation 5 month ago but during this time your very useful videos really helped us to achieve perfect results for controlling his blood sugar. Thanks for all your kindness 🙏👍

[debbief]

Thank you for your work. Hearing your experiences with all the different types of diabetic items and real life is refreshing.

[jessies]

My 2 year old daughter has T1D and her diabetes has been managed so much easier with the dexcom g6 along with the Tslim control IQ. Such a game changer! And thankfully, all of her supplies are covered by insurance.
Thanks for the content! We have never tried any of the libre CGMs, so it was very interesting to learn about them

[laurenc]

I didn’t hate my time using the Libre (1&2) but since getting the Dexcom, I’ve felt less anxious about my blood sugars. I like the multiple different arrows & alerts, I love that I have the option of different alert tones (that don’t scare me half to death), and I love not having to scan it (half the time I had to rescan or wait & scan again with my Libre). I just got on a pump & it has definitely been life changing. I can’t wait for the g7 to come out & be approved for use with insulin pumps! Hoping it’s a little cheaper though, I’m not lucky enough to have insurance coverage fully.

[dabit]

I'm a new T1D and Dexcom G6 user. I've found your videos to be very helpful, informative, and entertaining!! Would love to get preview of the Patreon content!

[jamescarter]

I am so glad you had mentioned about the cost of the CGM's. I am a lucky one that my health insurance now covers CGM systems. Even the cost of finger prick testing can be too much for some with no coverage. I have diabetic friends who only test maybe once a day via finger sticks because of this. The cost of being diabetic are so expensive just to check levels, insulin and is insane for some to may out of pocket. On a positive note I am so excited for seeing Libre 3 come to Canada soon to stop the scanning and being a smaller sensor. Wonder if Libre is even working on being able to work with insulin pumps? Thanks again for a great video Tom and enjoy watching your channel.

[fluteloops]

I’d love to win the Patreon membership! My 12 year old was diagnosed a little over a year ago and she uses the Dexcom G6 and the tslim pump. She watches your videos just like I do! I know she’d really appreciate being able to watch your longer, more personal videos. She has done a great job over the past year learning how to control her type 1 responsibly.

[momopeaches]

Accessibility and cost are huge factors for me. Here in the Philippines, only the Libre is available and I have to pay it out of pocket. Ironically, when I was starting to research CGMs, I found out that dexcom has a global services office but doesn't distribute their products here 😅

Thank you so much for these videos, Tom! Just diagnosed with type 1 this year after going into dka and it has been overwhelming and stressful at times. Your videos have been a lifesaver 😊

[jeffa]

I LOVE my Dexcom G6. I also love your videos.

[bcegerton]

I’ve got the Freestyle, sick of them failing but here in the U.K. you don’t really get a choice, wasn’t easy getting this but being a Kidney Transplant Patient helped but they don’t stay on very well so I tape them on. Will probably end up buying some covers or something, thanks for the tip and link for the skin grips, may try those.
Biggest issue is the difference in readings, sometimes they are really far off the mark.
I could do with the Patreon Membership, I’m on my 4th Transplant and was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2007, about half way through the time I had my 3rd Transplant for yet I was only told this year that a high HBA-1C can affect my Transplant, I’ve always had trouble with high readings and had little support from the Diabetes Centre until recently so I’m trying to be much more proactive myself, when it comes down to it it’s my health it’s affecting and I’ve enough to worry about with the other multiple Health Issues I have.

[tusharpandya]

One more plus point for Dexcom G6. Can monitor with the reader / phone being up to 20 feet away where as Libre 2 one has to take the reader / phone within 6 inches of the sensor. Second plus point is the ability to set, get and transmit alerts due to low / high sugar(in my case my Doctor and my son get these alarms). Thirdly the Dexcom Clarity app that gives the user ability to crunch numbers and run analysis.

[MartinBryan]

Prior to getting the Dexcom I had A-1 C is in the 15 to 16 range my last one was 7.4

[bethhoover]

I have the dexcom g6. I like everything about it except for the first day…. Where it will show blood sugars of sometimes of 45. I am eagerly waiting the G7.

[johnmcrae]

Tom. Another good video. You may remember that when libre 2 came out and the same price as the 1 was guaranteed, Dexcom said that Abbott would be making all vendors keep prices low. And they should be. I just switched to the mobile app for Libre 2 and looks like it will be a smart move. First night the alarm went off and it was seriously loud. I expected to see emergency vehicles outside. Hope you are doing great. It is always good to see your videos. Thanks.