SHOCKING Freestyle Libre Mistakes You Didn't Know You Were Making!

The Freestyle Libre is a great tool for people with diabetes, when its used the right way. In this video, I'll talk about some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

If you're new to the Freestyle Libre, or if you're just looking to brush up on your knowledge, this video is for you. And whether you're using the Freestyle Libre 14 day, Freestyle Libre 2 or the new Freestyle Libre 3, this video will help you avoid the most common mistakes and get the most out of your device.

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[DISCLAIMER: While I am a Physician Assistant, none of the content I post should be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor or healthcare provider if you have questions about your diabetes management and overall health. This video does not substitute professional medical advice and watching this video does not establish a provider-patient relationship.]

[allsandiego]

Today is my first day wearing Free style 3 . Thank you for the information. I got a low sugar warning and got scared and did a glucose test and it was at 85 and decided to do research on accuracy and found out a lot of valuable information from your channel

[jepomer]

Good information in this video.

When the sensors stay on, the continuous readings are extremely helpful. Over the few months I have used the sensors, my A1C dropped from 7.4 to 5.8 — my doctor asked me how I did it. As an engineer, I am used to monitoring lots of instrumentation and tweaking the instruments to run at peak performance. I knew that the sensor lags the finger stick readings about 20 to 30 minutes typically. I aim to keep my average readings between 90 and 100 versus being happy when my before meal finger stick readings were close to 130 but we're often much higher.

Lately, the Libre 3 sensors have come loose fall off or and give an alarm. Most of the time it is when I am sweating or working in the rain with just a shirt on. 

Several have become loose while bumping into a doorway or chair. I have been experimenting where the best position is. I notice that I tend to brush up against doorways with my right arm. I place the sensors on my left.

Abbott's notes recommend shaving the area. I did last night. I am hairy and have good swaths Sicilian skin. I apply the sensors after showering and wiping the area with alcohol.

Just ordered some over-patches to facilitate keeping the sensor on AND help provide a sloped surface for when I do brush up against something with my left arm.

[dwightl]

I'm not a Libre user but would say the holes primary purpose is where the insertion needle goes through when putting on the sensor. Same would hold true for the Dexcom G7. But allowing it to breathe may be reasonable but on the other hand it would allow water in while showering or swimming as well.

[amaryllis]

I don't know about the Libre 14 day or Libre 2 but the Libre 3 has a warning about vitamin c at the time that you insert it. Another point, at least with the Libre 3, it can be wildly inaccurate during the first 24 hours and certainly during the first 12 hours. I have to explain to my endocrinologist that all the hypoglycemic events on the first night after inserted are incorrect. I used to do multiple finger sticks but now I know that it's just the sensor itself acclimating. However I'm a very well controlled type 2, and mostly use my meter to see how food affects my blood sugar. Has kept me with an HBA1c between 5.3 and 5.5 for the last year and a half. I've been wearing it for a little over 2 years. And Skin Tac is a blessing. I was going to mention it if you didn't. Haven't had a sensor fall off since I started using it.

[starpartyguy]

I bent 2 pins on my first 2 Libre 3 sensors, putting them on the arm in the exact location mentioned. My tricep muscles apparently are too tough. I called Abbott, got replacement sensors sent, and asked for advice. They recommended the inside, flat area of the upper arm between bicep and tricep. The sensor went in and I've tested it with finger sticks over the past 3 days. It was 60 points off on day one. but now is within 20 points. It's an easier spot to apply anyway. Also, I sleep on my side and roll in bed. So putting it on the outside or back of arm, exposes it to compression and getting knocked off. BTW, I'm using Skin Prep by Smith & Nephew. If the sensor comes off before 14 days, I'll go to Skin Tack. Love the video though.

[buffuniballer]

I've moved to taking 1/2 a Vit C supplement. Most vitamins are eliminated before the body can use them, so cutting vitamins in half reduces the waste as well as avoids this issue.

Also, one should consider what other vitamins and supplements offer. Many add C or have it as part of their package like most multi-vitamin offerings. My men's multi-vitamin has 99mg or about 110%

I take a half tablet of that in the evening.

I take 250mg C, 5000iu of D, some Zinc and 1/2 of a B supplement in the AM and a 1/2 men's multi-vitamin in the evening.

The things I've found interfere with my Libre3 are compression, dehydration and if I've consumed too much salt. (Split a bacon baked potato with my wife and while my Libre3 was going low, my finger sticks were 70-100 mg/dL higher. I had worked out in the AM as well, so 4 pints of water over the next couple of hours got things closer over the next 24 hours.

I was about to contact Abbott about another failed sensor, but gave it 24 hours to see if it was me.

I think the sensor was 3-4 days into the 14 day cycle.

Thanks for your content.

[justrusty]

I was out hiking (5 weeks) and two sensors fell off in quick succession. After discussing with my health care provider we determined that the sensors were more likely to stay on if I put the new one on at night before going to sleeping bag, rather than in the morning just before I would be hiking and sweating. Obvious in hindsight I guess, but to generalize, if you put them on at night you may give the adhesive more time to set before stressing it. (I now put them on at night only, and use extra adhesive product.)

[russelldemczak]

How did I not know I could just fill out a form online, instead of spending 15-20 minutes on the phone everytime a sensors fails prematurely?! Gold - thank you!

It was a shame they stopped including the alcohol wipe. But I've never noticed a difference one way or the other. In almost 3 years, I've not had a single sensor fall off, or even get knocked off. Adhesive strength is not a concern for me. Failed sensors with event code 365 are my nemesis. I probably have that happen by day 7 or 8, 75-80% of the time.

[portland]

Re Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid), a huge problem is that it is not only in health supplements but many prescribed medications and processed foods include it for is preservative qualities. I discoverwed it in bread, juice, preprepared meals, diabetes-related medications and so much more.
I did have a problem with false higher readings and missing hypo's and when I called Abbot about the problem, the customer service team aren't alerted to the issue (they replaced four sensors as defective).
Now I check all ingredients labels and have greatly reduced my intake of added Vitamin C. Reading the label closer also helps with tracking to the point I achieved an HbA1c of 5.8 (40mmol) within 4 months of starting with Freestyle.

[beatrizmercado]

I appreciate that you made this video, it's very informative, I learned a few things I didn't know, like the website page, the reason for putting sensor in the back of the arm. So true about missing the other screens, I was focusing only on the main screen. Thank you!

[michellen]

Your video is so informative. I learned some valuable lessons. Thank you!!

[wilbard]

Had heard some time ago that the hole was for the skin's moisture from under patch to escape, what I thought you were going to say was missing was a alcohol wipe to use on the skin before putting on sensor. Good info in video, thanks.

[healingenso]

Great info. My first sensor just came off, putting on a tshirt at 11 days. But I am in the hot tub for up to 1 hour a day, so not too bad, as I assume the hot water softens the adhesive. I have well-controlled T2D (5.5/5.6 A1C/GMI) and I have been using the Libre 3 for my education to help planning aggressive exercise ) lost 60 pounds in 2023. So I already have all I need for now and till try another sensor in 1-2 months. I have seen questions every day about the drain hole on FB groups and there has never really been a good explanation, so thanks for that.

[ludekspurny]

Thank you for your advice! I just discovered your channel. My wife is a diabetic so I translate her your advice (she is weak in English). I consider your channel very interesting and helpfull. Greetings from The Czech Republic

[Artzimer]

I just started using this app. Thank you for this video because I was frustrated for a few hours because what I was seeing on the app was totally different than fingersticks that I was doing. Thank you for clarifying t the reason for this discrepancy.❤❤

[scottnewlin]

Very well done! Thanks. I see so many pics and videos with incorrect sensor location. Flabby part of the back of the arm is very important for a good experience.

[venk]

Everyone I have the best option if you have a sensor, try using a large bandage over your sensor, it helps me with everything like walking into door frames or having that conversation with your coworkers. It can stop the tearing if your sensor hit a door frame or when people ask about why you have a bandage over your arm you can tell them anything when talking about type one diabetes but the best way to do it is be comfortable with who you are and I use Brand-Aid I am in Canada but I hope I could help it really makes a different when saving a sensor and you get a 10 pack so you really get 2 - 3 sensor's worth of protection .

[kalaipaa]

Thank You so much for the link. I am new to Freestyle 3 14 day sensor and I may have did it wrong or it was a faulty sensor. the sensor could not link to my phone app. I was given 2 sensors, $80.00 with insurance. I immediately had to put my 2nd sensor. I just filled out the replacement sensor form. I hope it works. If it does, I will have you to thank!!

[jacquelinetaylor]

Due to insurance I had to switch from Freestyle Libre2 to Dexcom G7. Your video is great for anyone using The Freestyle Libre 2 or 3 Sensors. Thank you. 😊

[dannytcb]

I did have infected skin in the beginning, now i use cavilon spray from 3M wich works great. Did not know about the vitamine c, thats disturbing, thanks for sharing 👍