I realize these detailed review videos are very long. The reason is that I try to include as much information as possible to allow all of you fellow diabetics to have all the information you need to be able to decide if FreeStyle Libre 2 is a good fit for you. It takes a lot of time and energy to analyse every bit of the system but I love doing that. And I always want to improve so I would love to hear your feedback to see whether there is anything I can do better in my future review videos. Please let me know! Love you all! I appreciate your support! If you enjoyed the video you might want to: - Get a discount on your next SkinGrip patches (code: TYPEONETALKS) skingrip.com?ref:typeonetalks - Subscribe to my channel by clicking this link ?sub_confirmation=1 - Say thank you and use the new "super thanks" feature. - Join as a channel member by clicking on the "JOIN" button below the video - Join my Patreon community www.patreon.com/typeonetalks - Schedule a private session with me calendly.com/typeonetalks
T2 here. Your video was spot-on - Reading the instructions I had the dilemma - should I use the phone, or the reader. Now I know I can use both. Also tips were great - adhesive, cleaning, etc. Thank you!
Just had a software update and you no longer have to scan the sensor. Tap the app and your reading is already on the screen. You can even watch it update every minute. Also the high and low alarms actually shows your level in the notification popup.
I just got a CGM!!!!!! Yeah!! It's generation 1 free style libre. So it doesn't commicate to my phone unless scanned but already I feel empowered!!! Went from first day in 200-300 next day I have been in the green. 85-160 I am no longer chasing my sugar but am on top of it!!!!
Thank you for your informative videos on all the FreeStyle Libres. I needed to study up on them before using one on my mother. Now she doesn't need to prick her finger everyday and I don't have to remind her to.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to use both the phone and the reader with my sensor. Even after activating the reader first. What do I do? I'm using the US android version
Excellent intro to FreeStyle Libre 2! Everything you need to know but had nowhere to ask. I've been using the Libre 2 for 7 months and as Tom says it's been a real came changer for me! Just wish it had been available in 1971 when I was first diagnosed. One trick I've learned with the alarm feature is to set the low alarm 10 pts higher than the usual 70 mg/dl. This way if the bG starts dropping (which it does quite often as I am - very active out doors enthusiast) I find out in time to make a correction before I develop low bG rather than afterwards.
I am not happy with the libra 2 or 3. It is inaccurate at night with lows in the 40’s and after comparing with fingerstick which has always been above 110. Contacted Abbott many times and issues were not identified. We even sent the libra to the Abbott labs.
@DrewAUM I just removed mine an hour ago only after 4 days. It's become more of a hindering than a help. Too many low alarms and sensor not connected notifications.
I had no idea about the compression low readings, I was going crazy at night wondering why I was getting urgent low alarms when a finger prick was reading much higher. This video was amazingly informative, thanks so much!
After I lost a sensor taking off my tee shirt, I decided to try the chest mounting placement. I do like it there and my readings seem to be the same as on the arm. The winner here is that the sensor has to be pulled off instead of ready to fall off. Thanks for your time and tips.
When I take the sensor off my arm, do I put the next one on my other arm or can I put it on the same arm? I just used? Is it really true? You can put it elsewhere then on the back of your arm? The paperwork that came with the livery to said the back of the arm, but I have seen that people say they place the sensor elsewhere. Please help.
One thing I didn't like and it's only done this once was the alarm goes off at 5:00 in the morning saying it's 69 and when I take a blood stick or a blood draw for sugar it's normal this thing is going off in the morning waking me up with a false reading
This was awesome! I’ve had mine for 6 weeks now and my husband suggested to find more info on UA-cam! (Duh! Imagine that!😂) Thank you so much! Love knowing about the 3!!
There is a big problem with the software of the Libre 2 & 3. Old iPhones 6S and older are not compatible. New iPhone 14/ 14 Pro/ & 14 Pro Max are not compatible as well. It’s been almost a year since I upgraded. The Abbott’s Libre 2/3 software is still incompatible. 😠
Tom, you're fantastic! Your honesty along with the data you share are so helpful for a person who stumbles around looking for the answers to puzzling questions about my diabetes. Thank you so very much for your concern for us and just for sharing what you have experienced. You're the go to man. Fr. Lenny
Please don't edit out pauses. It is not natural to have this horse race kind of talking. A pause after each sentence makes your commentary more pleasant on the ear.
Just before I order a SkinGrip pack - didn't you say that the sensor hole must stay uncovered ? (The sensor uses it to calibrate humidity etc, IIRC from what you said in another video). I'm a new T2D Libre 2 user. Love it! Since I had to start fingersticking for blood gluco, I have so much more empathy for my patients. Really looking forward to the Libre 3. Your channel is excellent, and even us T2D types can get lots of useful info. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for your kind words my friend! Yes, you are right, according to the official instructions the whole should not be covered, however, I had no issues when using the patch.
@@TypeOneTalks Thanks. Another question...is there any way to activate the next sensor so that you don't have a gap between when the older sensor stops and the newer one is warming up?
I was told that my iPhone 6S Plus is not able to be used as a reader. So, I upgraded to an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Only to find out that it the App is not calibrated for it. Sadly Libre2’s US support is not helpful. I was referred to Apple support. It’s been a back & forth Selena. I finally figured out that it is Libre App’s NSC application that is not ready. NSC software reads the libre sensor on the phone. 😤 Please sound the 🚨 . It was a lot of money to upgrade my iPhone. Only to find out that it is also not going to work.
Are you sure we dont need to buy the reader cause that would be great! That we just need to buy the sensor and the rest can be done on your phone app. Won’t Abbot realized they arent making money from the reader ?
My comment gunna sound like an infomercial but really this changed my life as a type two diabetic and a GM of a restaurant dealing with checking my blood 🩸 all the time was just way to demanding. The ease of being able to scan and kind of predict when to eat/when to not and also what types of food make my sugar rise/fall has been very helpful to me in learning how to control this disease! My A1C was at 10% I couldn’t even get into the dentist for all the bleeding that would cause in my mouth, excited to see if it’s gone down in the last month.
Happy to report that I am now able to use (Australian) Freestyle Libre 2 sensors _with NO extra add on transmitter_ and get readings to my phone (and watch) automatically! Finding the right software was the charm - Diabox can read direct from the sensor with no NFC use required; this can integrate with xDrip+ for much improved tools. 😊
So far I have used about 10 sensors and 8 of those failed. The good thing though is Abbot replace them within a week. I am glad that I watched this video as I didn’t know about the pressure lows at night time and have been over compensating with food when I get my nighttime alarms. I also didn’t know about those sticky patches to keep my sensors from falling off but I have only had this happen once.
I've been using libre 2 for 2 months and the very first one I had, only lasted for 3days. I had to go to hospital to see the diabetic nurse and she applied it for me and explained everything I had to do. As soon as the disc was put on my arm it felt sore, I didn't say anything because I thought it would ease, after the second day I tried to scan it but nothing happened, there was a free phone number which we called and they told us that they would send us a new one and we had to send the broken one back to them, the only problem with that was, we didn't have a second one, so we phoned the hospital and they told me to go back and they would give me another one! I had problems getting the old one off my arm, but once it came off the nurse asked if I had sensitive skin as it was swollen and sore looking. I'm not but I tried to make a joke by saying that they put super glue on the pad instead of wallpaper paste. I've one more reject but I'm still happy, because I don't have to prick my fingers for blood. I would like everyone to try it. I haven't felt this free for a long time. Also I don't need a big handbag/ purse, I'm now carrying a bag that carries my phone and insulin pen, OK its not that small, but it's smaller.😊😎
If your main issue of lancing is the pain of finger picks try a lancing device called genteel, they cost about the same as one of these sensors but last for years, with my last one lasting nearly a decade before I felt it needed to be replaced. It allows you to pull blood from places like your palm or upper arm without any pain. In the long run its cheaper then this junk, which has proven to me to be inaccurate, and lasted for me at best 7 days before falling off or crapping out. I am going back to blood and test strips from now on, unless you are getting these heavily subsidised or on insurance you are wasting your money.
My own experience with FL2 is different. With the FL1 I had to recharge the battery every 90 days in average, that was pretty good. With the FL2, 7 days... With alarms I was first happy to use it but after a while i realised that this option was giving me a recall like "hey, you're diabetic check your level something is going wrong". I used to scan quite often in a day and now it's just like a reflex, I do it with the scanner not the phone, much more practical for me. So no alarms anymore and now i feel less stressed. One thing that is very important is the stress that can give all these if we decide to give a close control. A good balance between can be a life changer.
Thank you for the information, now I understand why I got low glucose alarm in the middle of the night. I was wondering why the error range is so huge between my Contour Next and the Libre 2.
FYI Abbot Australia refused to replace a sensor for me that failed after 8 days because I’m not an insulin user 🤷♂️ “You’re not meant to use them for non-insulin users so we won’t replace them”. This happened just yesterday. They also said, “Even for insulin users we’ll only ever replace one. After that you’re on your own.” (There’s no law for using them off label, doing finger strips isn’t always possible, especially when changing medicines).
In my mom’s experiences while it was working correctly it was amazing however of the 8 sensors we used only 4 of them worked at all and if those 4 only 2 lasted the full 14 days the other two stopped working after a few days and the other four sensors after waiting the required time when installing new sensor they didn’t work over all if the sensors worked as advertised and stayed attacked to the skin it would be so much better unfortunately the rate of working sensors was so bad that she stopped using it even tho u can send them into the manufacture and recieve replacement ones free of charge it’s kinda redundant if neither of the sensors work at all or only work for a day or 2 before getting an error
Libre2 kullanmaya yeni başladım. Sensörü takarken çok kanadı. Sonra parmaktan kan şekeri ölçtüm. 152 mg/dl iken libre düşük glukoz gösterdi. Saatlerce boyle devam etti. Bu sorunu yaşayan var mı?
Hello, I started using the FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM 5 months ago, Prior to that I did the old finger sticks multiple times a day. I love the ease of use with this CGM but I'm encountering problems. My first prescription is for 90 days so 6 sensors. In that first 90 days 4 of the 6 sensors failed with an error when I tried to start them, one after the other. So I only got to use the CGM for one month of the three months. Now I'm on my next 90 day prescription again with 6 sensors and the first four worked fine but I went to apply sensor 5 and it failed. Tried sensor 6 and it failed too. Now I have to go a month with no sensors and back to finger sticks until my next appointment. 6 sensor fails out of 12 sensors. Thats a 50% failure rate??? Also waiting 8-12 weeks and paying for shipping to and from Abbot is not a viable solution for every sensor failure. Obviously Libre sucks, Is there a better brand that I can ask my doctor about? What do you recommend? I just need a new company, I think.
Thank you! I struggle a lot with sugar crashes and low sugar. My bosses are already mocking me when I come running into their office carrying the order I effed up, all pale and close to tears because I turn into a tired toddler when my sugar drops below 70. They say it's fine and that I'm an amazing hardworking person but my anxiety says "they'll fire you for your next mistake" so I ordered a FL2. Not just because of my anxiety, but also because it doesn't feel nice going low and I'm planning on making a whole aß$ report for my doctor so we can finally figure out why this is happening to me.
I have been watching your channel since my diagnosis 2 years ago. Ii am also a health professional dealing with diabetic patients and find your tips really good. Libre 3 is not coming out in the UK at least for a year, and would love to try the miaow miaow 3, especially after trialing the glucoRx Aidex which was a big no no
Very informative video. Your videos are worth their weight in gold. I do have a couple questions though. So that hole in the sensor that freestyle says to leave uncovered, doesn’t the skin grip patch cover it? Also, why is it that sometimes I scan but it says to try again in 10 minutes?
I have had 3 sensors fail in one month. I just put another one on so not sure if it’ll be 4 now for another hour 🙄 The last one that worked was a 40 mg difference from my glucometer which is dangerous especially for someone on a sliding scale. One of the sensors when applied the needle stayed in my arm (the metal needle) attached to the sensor. Another said at first scan after application “sensor not working”. I get 7 sensors every 3 1/4 months and to have 3 not work in a 1 month period is ridiculous. The adhesive is also well known to cause allergic skin reactions. Abbott is also very slow to send replacements and you have to go through an hour long interrogation and one time when I needed a reader replacement sent a sensor instead. It took 3 months to finally get one and only got it because my Drs office called. Doesn’t help they don’t have a 24 hour help line either since the online form doesn’t allow you to do multiply sensors numbers at the time and send you to imessage which is also closed and their hours don’t cover weekends , after-hours or holiday help. Worst part is Abbott is very aware of all of the sensor issues yet refuses to allow pharmacies or Drs offices to give you replacements. They can only be gotten from Abbott.
Hello and thank you for all you do for us out here. I am being issued my first Libre 2 by the veteran's hospital and am learning as much as possible about the system before it arrives which leads me to a question. How do your viewers carry their readers with them? (I have an old phone that does not support the app) Thanks
I just use the little pouch that was used to hold my old traditional blood sugar reader and test strips Should be able to buy at Walgreens fits in your pocket comfortably
I hate the Libre 2 and the rest of these glucose monitoring system. I hate the alarms! I removed mine today and deleted the app from my phone. I'll just have to deal with finger prices. Libre SUCKS! Waste of money.
i was diagnosed in march 2023 type 2 bought the libre 2 sensors. they cost 120.00 for 2 wks. i was getting alarms for going low and going high. i had a avg of 7.8 for 3 months use. i had my a1c tested on blood work, the result was 6.3 i dont understand the discrepancy. im going again the week to test my a1c and will determine if its still way off from my current readings. i was hurting my fingers and couldn't always test myself at work. i am working overtime now to pay for these sensors and looking at options to buy them...apparently costco is cheaper. any thoughts?
Hi just wondering if there is a way to hook the Freestyle Libre 2 reader to a laptop or computer like I used to do with the Libre 1 app?. Here in Canada there doesn’t appear to be an app for Libre 2, and I can’t figure out how to get my data from the reader to hard paper copy? Just wondering as you said you just attached it to your computer and I retried that t got nothing from doing it. Thanks David 🏴🇨🇦
There is an app for iOS because I’m using it. It says in the manual which iOS systems are compatible. It also says to turn off your automatic updates until you know if the update is going to be compatible. I’ve had no trouble at all. My numbers are only two digits off from when I do a finger stick.
It's a piece of crap. So far in my first 6 weeks I've had a 65% failure rate. Sure Abbott gladly and fairly quickly (3 to 4 days) sends me a replacement but still when 2 out of every 3 are failed sensors -- that defines a piece of crap.
Thanks so much. I didn't know a lot about the alarms untill I needed to goto hospital last week. Thanks for mentioning it again. I'm lucky that my insurance is covering the FSL2, but I only had the FLS1 not even 8 months unitll I got a FLS2. Really throwing money down the drain I think. I have family in SK with Type 1 that don't even get the FLS1 covered. Isn't there a way we can do this for people / poor countries? What should I do with old hardware like FLS1? Of course, the sensors are the problem these are expensive. There must be so many unused FLS1 around. If you could help other people with an older model that would be great I think.
You have great points! I totally agree that the access in developing countries is very bad. I am trying the best I can spreading the awareness in the community and talking to the companies who make the sensors. Another way to help in developing countries is a donation to T1international non-profit which I would encourage everyone to do. I personally will be donating $5,000 later this year from my YT channel revenue earned.
Thanks. If you could return your old FSL1 or collect points (City) you could help others tyype1. My FSL1 is sitting in my cabinet brand new hardly used. If you could spread te word that would be great. (recycle FSL1) :-) all the best.
Facebook has sites where diabetics donate supplies. The US has one called Diabetics Pay it Forward US. Maybe the country you live in has something similar.
Why would they not make the app provide alarms? I was spoiled by my dexcom reader and now trying to use the Libre 3 app i hate it so much im gonna see if my insurance will give me a reader and let me switch to the 2. The app wont let me change the time window the graph is showing. I'm sitting here looking at 12 hours of graph. My dexcom I was able to look at an hour, 2 hours, 3, and i think 6 and 12. This scrunched up grash is almost worthless for seeing my trends. Does the reader let you change that time window? I just want my dexcom back but they will give me a Libre 2 reader i would be willing to try that. But between the scrunched up graph and no alarms this thing is aweful. Thankyou for any hep man
I wipe down my skin with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, wait a minute and then apply the patch, after that i apply an over patch and normally they last the whole 2 weeks.
To me it’s sad that you have to go to a second source (u-tube) to get product information. I try to call Libre2 and can find no one that I can understand 😪😪👎👎 Looking to change to a different brand.
I don't know about anybody else but my Libra is inaccurate, it gave me a reading of 200 I got an excellent shot and drop down to 39 so I checked it again and it said my reading was 190 so I've done a blood glucose and it said my blood glucose was one the calibrations are off very bad I've had mine for only a week and the whole week is been giving me bad readings that could put my life in danger
I really like the Libre 2. It does not cause my skin to break out in a rash- like the dexcom. Unfortunately, I am getting the omnipod- and the Libre 2 is not compatible with it.
I used the sensor for 1 time I only had it on for 24 hours because the sensor failed but I have to say I followed all the instructions and watched your video first so I installed it correctly but for me I got allot of blood coming out of the sensor for like 5 minutes...I also followed your instructions to remove the sensor and I had tons of blood and a pretty large hole in my skin from this thing...Also a large bruise around the area nothing like what you show on the videos? I dont think I will try it again.
Nice video as usual. I just got the FreeStyle Libre 2 and I'm totally unimpressed with its accuracy. So far, it's 5 points higher on the low end and 35+ points higher on the high end of glucose readings from my Accu-Chek meter. I'm real sure my Accu-Chek is accurate as its readings match very closely to what my blood tests show for glucose. It's got 14-days to get more accurate, or it will go in the trash where garbage belongs. The part that bothers me the most is that I spent my own hard earned money on it as my "Freedom of Choice" health insurance provider has deemed that it's not medically necessary for me as a T2 diabetic since I'm not diabetic enough according to their non-medical guidelines.
Sounds like you have a bad doctor mine determined I was a great candidate to get it for free from my insurance and made it happen with her personal recommendations. Might just have a lazy doctor or one who doesn’t care. I’m also type 2 (34 years old).
I’m sorry to hear about your insurance and there idiotic thought process involving how difficult it is for those who have it to monitor it effectively without constant pricks and pain. It’s a shame they would rather stay using the Stone Age methods that many diabetics give up on doing because of the constant pricking and process of checking blood sugar and those people just end up living as if they don’t have diabetes but then there health deteriorates and in the end cost the insurance more money because you get sicker and you visit the hospital more such a shame they would rather let people struggle and suffer than embrace innovation that not only improves a diabetics life and saves the insurance in the long run it’s completely asinine
@@jasonsalistean9192 for some insurance plans like ppo offered through employers are ruthless when it comes to what it considers needed or not they don’t have an issue with you purchasing it completely but when u want to use insurance as it’s designed they don’t wanna pay there share
If your issue is around the pain of lancing your fingers there is a lancing device called genteel, they are more expensive than a standard lacing device but much, much cheaper then wasting your money on libre2 sensors that constantly fail. It uses a very precise lance and a slight vacuum to allow you to pull a droplet of blood from places where you normally cannot like the upper arm. The first one I got nearly a decade ago, and only had to replace it recently. I never get any pain pulling blood from my upper arm and the readings have been just as accurate as the readings from my fingers.
Another great video and thanks. We just got Libre 2 released in Canada and I am a little concerned with the alarm function. If they system does not update unless scanned, how does it get the information on when to activate the alarm. If I scan my sensor every few hours, how does it know that an hour after my last scan that I am going to be high or low at that time? Extrapolation in the trend or rate my levels are changing? I will be starting the new Libre 2 sensor in a few days and look forward to trying this out. Honestly....I can't wait for the Libre 3 to be released in Canada and I think will be a great improvement to the alarm function.
When you scan with Libre2, NFC (Near Field Communication) passes the current level and levels for the last 8 hours. Alarms are triggered by Bluetooth communication of the current level every minute. Some third party apps use those levels to provide real time data. I haven't been able to use such apps. Alarms trigger once, but will retrigger if you change the threshold. My low alarm is set at 5.0 and I get an alarm at a lower value, typically 4.9. I then set the alarm level to 4.5 and get another alarm at 4.4. In parallel, I use small quantities of fast carbohydrates to preempt a hypo. North American readers should multiply my numbers by 18. 😃
I’m using Libre 2 yesterday I had a MRI an had to remove my sensor that I put on the day before. When I got home I but new sensor on an got a message on my mentor sayi can’t be used with this reader. What do I do?
Thanks for sharing this information was helpful, i used it since i saw your reviews. I would like to know if i can extends the life more than 14 days. I use the reader libre 2, the android app don't work in my cel phone because the region i think.
Thanks for another good video. In the US we lag behind on the ability to use your phone to scan instead of using the reader. It's been just a few months since an app was available for Apple phones. Unfortunately for the millions of Android phones there is no app available that works with Libre 2. So you have no alternative but to purchase and use a reader. Abbott states that they are working on the Android phone app but do not have a date when it will become available. I've been using the libre2 system since it became available in the US. The biggest problem I've experienced is that some of the sensors just don't work properly - either they won't work at all or the readings are so far off from test strip results that they're unusable. Fortunately Abbott has been very good about replacing each bad sensor. However it is a lot of hassle to have to go through the exercise of getting a replacement.
Tom! I'm a type 2 Insulin since 1996. I just put on my first Libre 2 painlessly. Waited 8 hours then took a shower and the edge came lose. My husband nail glued down the edges and I wrapped it in an ace bandage. I have skin tac and covers coming, as well as, a purple band coming from Amazon tomorrow. I did prepare the skin back of left arm per your directions.
Hi Lisa. Thank you so much for sharing and apologies for my late response! Sorry to hear about the troubles. I hope you have been able to "save" this one and use it for the full two weeks! Wihsing you all the best with Libre 2. Welcome to the team!:)
Thanks for this great video Tom! It's such a shame that neither Libre 3 nor Dexcom G7 is available for testing with Android phones yet. We have been waiting since 2020.
I picked up this system because I thought it would be easier in the long run so I wouldn't go through so many testing strips. But having it around a week and a half now Im still going through strips almost as much due to the fact that you really can't trust the readings. I mean if it takes the sensor a week to properly read accurately then its a useless product for those who need acurate test results. It does say to keep a finger meter on hand which in all reality defeats the purpose of this meter. Def a gimmick that can get people sick... Sorry. Would not recommend if you're into accurate results...
Agreed, also you are constantly having to fuss and worry about it coming off. Especially if you are paying full price of about $100aud per sensor it constantly has you feeling anxiety about it. A bunch of anxiety, a sensor that gives erroneous readings, and doesn't last a week before dying or falling off. Yeah it's not convient at all compared to test strips.
Was about to apply the sensor but the needle length got me nervous & it expired in may. Google said not to use it if expired so i've left it out for now. Wish that needle thing wasnt as big
I started with libre 1 and I wish I had known about how terrible the reader was. It was a total waste of money!! It’s so cheaply made, the touch screen is so hard to use and the only function on it that I like it being able to test my ketones. If I was using it only as a glucometer I would rather a different brand honestly
Question, if I read constantly daily does it make that my Freestyle die before time? I had my other sensor that died on the 7thday and the one I had till yesterday died with 4 days pending. It's annoying since they arent free for me I have to pay a lot and they arent working completely these last two sensors. 😞
I've begun getting CGM readings below what my glucose meter says and the error greatly increases in the last 4 days of each sensor .. but this only happens in my left arm and not my right arm over the last 5-sensors. I've tried contacting Abbott labs and they are quick to send me replacement sensors. However, I can't really believe it's a sensor problem since it so far has never happened in my right arm
I am shocked any of your sensors actually lasted till they had 4 days left. All of mine either come loose or die by the 4th to 7th day. I've given up trying, I keep sinking money into these things hoping I have a dud. So far it's been a 100% fail rate.
My father was visiting, he’s usually up around 7, at noon I got worried, he was comatose, called the ambulance, his sugar was .7, was released the next day, so I went and got him a libre 2, I was gonna get up every 2 hours to check on him, but the machine had a warning you can set anywhere, so great, I had a fairly good sleep, I thought because he had that machine everything was fine, at 10:00 I went into the bedroom, yup was rolled up, couldnt talk, flailing around, couldn’t move his left side, grabbed the LIBRE 2, error, it could of killed my father,ambulance again, bs 0.7 AGAIN, since that second 0.7 incident he stares into space, which he never did before, so I am very bitter at Libre 2, I was very upset with this machine, and just want people to be very cautious.
T2D. Started FL2 40 days ago. It keeps me more mindful of eating. One thing i would mention, choose the date you start your Libre2 carefully, unless you feel comfortable switching the sensors on vacations and carrying bio-haz home. Also, If you contact Abbott, they will send you a bag that will hold 6 sensor packs and 6 applicators. [Such a waste SMH]
Hey Nice content. You are really a diligent and in a very short period of time you have done a really good job for all the diabetic community. If I talk about my experience I tried both 14 days sensor and Libre 2 but I never get accurate readings and Bluetooth stability was a question mark so I switched back to the 14 days sensor and to get alarms I started using Ambrosia's Nightrider. The reason behind it as it has more feature then libre 2. Readings are in range and easy to manage my diabetes
I've noticed that my FL2 readings start to climb, when I get up in the morning and it's not dawn syndrome, as my blood glucose readings are always lower. I think I've narrowed this behaviour down to being driven by the temperature of my skin, with lower temperatures leading to higher readings and vice versa. I tend to prefer to be on the cold side of comfortable, so it may just be me, but when I put on more clothes or get back into bed, the readings tend to drop. Overall, my FL2 readings tend to indicate a higher estimated A1C than my subsequent actual A1C results, so maybe my preference for being cooler is affecting that? I'd just put it down to changes in the size of blood capillaries changing the makeup of the interstitial fluid, but who knows?
Hello mate, I’ve started the sensor and after the 3rd day I’m amazed with these results and can see my levels, much better than finger testing strips, running around blind to the photo clip finger test reading, but now I’m so happy and feel much better now as l can see the readings and eat better and much more carefully eating the amount to eat to keep my readings good 👍👍👍👍
Best video review I seen - a lot of information. Good info like if alarm goes off wont alert again unless drops be low as I thought the Libre 2 automatically updated your phone each few mins without having to scan but still takes seconds to scan so not a problem. Is this live updates on the new libre 3? Getting mine in a few days and defo getting some of those skingrips as plasters etc dont stick well to me so probs need something like this. Bookmarking to watch the other videos in depth. Thanks :-)
I don't have diabetes but I get low blood sugar when I haven't eaten for 4-5 hours, my hands get shaky, rapid heart rate and light headedness.. Do u think this could help me In tgis situation?
Have you revisited this since the latest App update? It now does continuous minute by minute readings. So, it seems it had the ability to do this all along but it's taken newer rivals doing more for less to force Abbott to improve their offering. Interesting that it may have had this feature all along though (says the cynical me).
I scanned the sensor with the Libre2 reader, no problem. Then I launched the Libre2 app on my phone and scanned the sensor. It told me “the sensor you just scanned was started by another device and cannot be used.” So apparently I can’t use my reader AND my phone. Just one or the other. Unless there’s a trick I don’t know. I am new to this.
I realize these detailed review videos are very long. The reason is that I try to include as much information as possible to allow all of you fellow diabetics to have all the information you need to be able to decide if FreeStyle Libre 2 is a good fit for you. It takes a lot of time and energy to analyse every bit of the system but I love doing that. And I always want to improve so I would love to hear your feedback to see whether there is anything I can do better in my future review videos. Please let me know!
Love you all! I appreciate your support!
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T2 here. Your video was spot-on - Reading the instructions I had the dilemma - should I use the phone, or the reader. Now I know I can use both. Also tips were great - adhesive, cleaning, etc. Thank you!
@Balamurugan L Yes. It is ok for you to record the session for your personal use.
Sometimes when I put it on the next day it says I need a new sensor why is that
I appreciate you. A Kuna Matata.
Hello, thank you for this video it was great
I have a quick question Can the freestyle libre 1 sensor be connected to the freestyle libre 2 player?
Just had a software update and you no longer have to scan the sensor. Tap the app and your reading is already on the screen. You can even watch it update every minute. Also the high and low alarms actually shows your level in the notification popup.
I just got a CGM!!!!!! Yeah!! It's generation 1 free style libre. So it doesn't commicate to my phone unless scanned but already I feel empowered!!! Went from first day in 200-300 next day I have been in the green. 85-160 I am no longer chasing my sugar but am on top of it!!!!
You said don't pay for the reader. $70 gone too late. Worth it though
Thank you for your informative videos on all the FreeStyle Libres. I needed to study up on them before using one on my mother. Now she doesn't need to prick her finger everyday and I don't have to remind her to.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to use both the phone and the reader with my sensor. Even after activating the reader first. What do I do? I'm using the US android version
Excellent intro to FreeStyle Libre 2! Everything you need to know but had nowhere to ask. I've been using the Libre 2 for 7 months and as Tom says it's been a real came changer for me! Just wish it had been available in 1971 when I was first diagnosed. One trick I've learned with the alarm feature is to set the low alarm 10 pts higher than the usual 70 mg/dl. This way if the bG starts dropping (which it does quite often as I am - very active out doors enthusiast) I find out in time to make a correction before I develop low bG rather than afterwards.
I am not happy with the libra 2 or 3. It is inaccurate at night with lows in the 40’s and after comparing with fingerstick which has always been above 110. Contacted Abbott many times and issues were not identified. We even sent the libra to the Abbott labs.
I’ve recently been checking my readings with a finger stick. I’ve found that the Libre 2 to be wildly inaccurate. No longer will be using it.
@DrewAUM I just removed mine an hour ago only after 4 days. It's become more of a hindering than a help. Too many low alarms and sensor not connected notifications.
I had no idea about the compression low readings, I was going crazy at night wondering why I was getting urgent low alarms when a finger prick was reading much higher. This video was amazingly informative, thanks so much!
After I lost a sensor taking off my tee shirt, I decided to try the chest mounting placement. I do like it there and my readings seem to be the same as on the arm. The winner here is that the sensor has to be pulled off instead of ready to fall off. Thanks for your time and tips.
I agree I hate when it falls off
Happened to me too
I lost 2 with the door trim
When I take the sensor off my arm, do I put the next one on my other arm or can I put it on the same arm? I just used? Is it really true? You can put it elsewhere then on the back of your arm? The paperwork that came with the livery to said the back of the arm, but I have seen that people say they place the sensor elsewhere. Please help.
One thing I didn't like and it's only done this once was the alarm goes off at 5:00 in the morning saying it's 69 and when I take a blood stick or a blood draw for sugar it's normal this thing is going off in the morning waking me up with a false reading
This was awesome! I’ve had mine for 6 weeks now and my husband suggested to find more info on UA-cam! (Duh! Imagine that!😂) Thank you so much! Love knowing about the 3!!
There is a big problem with the software of the Libre 2 & 3. Old iPhones 6S and older are not compatible. New iPhone 14/ 14 Pro/ & 14 Pro Max are not compatible as well. It’s been almost a year since I upgraded. The Abbott’s Libre 2/3 software is still incompatible. 😠
Tom, you're fantastic! Your honesty along with the data you share are so helpful for a person who stumbles around looking for the answers to puzzling questions about my diabetes. Thank you so very much for your concern for us and just for sharing what you have experienced. You're the go to man. Fr. Lenny
Please don't edit out pauses. It is not natural to have this horse race kind of talking. A pause after each sentence makes your commentary more pleasant on the ear.
Thanks for your videos
Fasting Will Change ur Life! And let other People know about It! 🙏
Just before I order a SkinGrip pack - didn't you say that the sensor hole must stay uncovered ? (The sensor uses it to calibrate humidity etc, IIRC from what you said in another video). I'm a new T2D Libre 2 user. Love it! Since I had to start fingersticking for blood gluco, I have so much more empathy for my patients. Really looking forward to the Libre 3. Your channel is excellent, and even us T2D types can get lots of useful info. Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much for your kind words my friend! Yes, you are right, according to the official instructions the whole should not be covered, however, I had no issues when using the patch.
@@TypeOneTalks Thanks. Another question...is there any way to activate the next sensor so that you don't have a gap between when the older sensor stops and the newer one is warming up?
I was told that my iPhone 6S Plus is not able to be used as a reader. So, I upgraded to an iPhone 14 Pro Max. Only to find out that it the App is not calibrated for it. Sadly Libre2’s US support is not helpful. I was referred to Apple support. It’s been a back & forth Selena. I finally figured out that it is Libre App’s NSC application that is not ready. NSC software reads the libre sensor on the phone. 😤 Please sound the 🚨 . It was a lot of money to upgrade my iPhone. Only to find out that it is also not going to work.
Are you sure we dont need to buy the reader cause that would be great! That we just need to buy the sensor and the rest can be done on your phone app. Won’t Abbot realized they arent making money from the reader ?
My freestyle Libre 2 was 10ml over my Dario! :-( in otherworldly freestyle Libre 2 was 150 Dario 140! :-(
My comment gunna sound like an infomercial but really this changed my life as a type two diabetic and a GM of a restaurant dealing with checking my blood 🩸 all the time was just way to demanding. The ease of being able to scan and kind of predict when to eat/when to not and also what types of food make my sugar rise/fall has been very helpful to me in learning how to control this disease! My A1C was at 10% I couldn’t even get into the dentist for all the bleeding that would cause in my mouth, excited to see if it’s gone down in the last month.
I completely agree with what you said about the alarms only sounding once! There should be a function to have the alarms repeat at certain intervals.
Happy to report that I am now able to use (Australian) Freestyle Libre 2 sensors _with NO extra add on transmitter_ and get readings to my phone (and watch) automatically!
Finding the right software was the charm - Diabox can read direct from the sensor with no NFC use required; this can integrate with xDrip+ for much improved tools. 😊
Hi you know if that applies to freestyle libre 2 worldwide or just the Australian ones?
So far I have used about 10 sensors and 8 of those failed. The good thing though is Abbot replace them within a week. I am glad that I watched this video as I didn’t know about the pressure lows at night time and have been over compensating with food when I get my nighttime alarms. I also didn’t know about those sticky patches to keep my sensors from falling off but I have only had this happen once.
I've been using libre 2 for 2 months and the very first one I had, only lasted for 3days. I had to go to hospital to see the diabetic nurse and she applied it for me and explained everything I had to do. As soon as the disc was put on my arm it felt sore, I didn't say anything because I thought it would ease, after the second day I tried to scan it but nothing happened, there was a free phone number which we called and they told us that they would send us a new one and we had to send the broken one back to them, the only problem with that was, we didn't have a second one, so we phoned the hospital and they told me to go back and they would give me another one! I had problems getting the old one off my arm, but once it came off the nurse asked if I had sensitive skin as it was swollen and sore looking. I'm not but I tried to make a joke by saying that they put super glue on the pad instead of wallpaper paste.
I've one more reject but I'm still happy, because I don't have to prick my fingers for blood. I would like everyone to try it. I haven't felt this free for a long time. Also I don't need a big handbag/ purse, I'm now carrying a bag that carries my phone and insulin pen, OK its not that small, but it's smaller.😊😎
If your main issue of lancing is the pain of finger picks try a lancing device called genteel, they cost about the same as one of these sensors but last for years, with my last one lasting nearly a decade before I felt it needed to be replaced. It allows you to pull blood from places like your palm or upper arm without any pain.
In the long run its cheaper then this junk, which has proven to me to be inaccurate, and lasted for me at best 7 days before falling off or crapping out.
I am going back to blood and test strips from now on, unless you are getting these heavily subsidised or on insurance you are wasting your money.
My own experience with FL2 is different. With the FL1 I had to recharge the battery every 90 days in average, that was pretty good. With the FL2, 7 days... With alarms I was first happy to use it but after a while i realised that this option was giving me a recall like "hey, you're diabetic check your level something is going wrong". I used to scan quite often in a day and now it's just like a reflex, I do it with the scanner not the phone, much more practical for me. So no alarms anymore and now i feel less stressed. One thing that is very important is the stress that can give all these if we decide to give a close control. A good balance between can be a life changer.
Thank you for sharing this valuable info my friend!
Thank you for the information, now I understand why I got low glucose alarm in the middle of the night. I was wondering why the error range is so huge between my Contour Next and the Libre 2.
FYI Abbot Australia refused to replace a sensor for me that failed after 8 days because I’m not an insulin user 🤷♂️ “You’re not meant to use them for non-insulin users so we won’t replace them”. This happened just yesterday.
They also said, “Even for insulin users we’ll only ever replace one. After that you’re on your own.”
(There’s no law for using them off label, doing finger strips isn’t always possible, especially when changing medicines).
Cody, sorry to hear that. I've had two sensors replaced in the US and I'm not an insulin user. I wonder why Abbot Australia does not do the same?
In my mom’s experiences while it was working correctly it was amazing however of the 8 sensors we used only 4 of them worked at all and if those 4 only 2 lasted the full 14 days the other two stopped working after a few days and the other four sensors after waiting the required time when installing new sensor they didn’t work over all if the sensors worked as advertised and stayed attacked to the skin it would be so much better unfortunately the rate of working sensors was so bad that she stopped using it even tho u can send them into the manufacture and recieve replacement ones free of charge it’s kinda redundant if neither of the sensors work at all or only work for a day or 2 before getting an error
Similar with me 😭 I was beginning to think it must be just me experiencing the sensors failing!
@@fetchstixRHD I wonder if there’s something we are doing wrong or if the fail rate is just that high
@@jesay2382I am seeing way too many complaints about sensors suddenly dying for it to be user error.
Libre2 kullanmaya yeni başladım. Sensörü takarken çok kanadı. Sonra parmaktan kan şekeri ölçtüm. 152 mg/dl iken libre düşük glukoz gösterdi. Saatlerce boyle devam etti. Bu sorunu yaşayan var mı?
This was fantastic. I am a Type 2 just getting my first one. I am really a lot less apprehensive now.
Hello, I started using the FreeStyle Libre 2 CGM 5 months ago, Prior to that I did the old finger sticks multiple times a day. I love the ease of use with this CGM but I'm encountering problems. My first prescription is for 90 days so 6 sensors. In that first 90 days 4 of the 6 sensors failed with an error when I tried to start them, one after the other. So I only got to use the CGM for one month of the three months. Now I'm on my next 90 day prescription again with 6 sensors and the first four worked fine but I went to apply sensor 5 and it failed. Tried sensor 6 and it failed too. Now I have to go a month with no sensors and back to finger sticks until my next appointment. 6 sensor fails out of 12 sensors. Thats a 50% failure rate??? Also waiting 8-12 weeks and paying for shipping to and from Abbot is not a viable solution for every sensor failure. Obviously Libre sucks, Is there a better brand that I can ask my doctor about? What do you recommend? I just need a new company, I think.
Thank you! I struggle a lot with sugar crashes and low sugar. My bosses are already mocking me when I come running into their office carrying the order I effed up, all pale and close to tears because I turn into a tired toddler when my sugar drops below 70.
They say it's fine and that I'm an amazing hardworking person but my anxiety says "they'll fire you for your next mistake" so I ordered a FL2. Not just because of my anxiety, but also because it doesn't feel nice going low and I'm planning on making a whole aß$ report for my doctor so we can finally figure out why this is happening to me.
bro can share or uploaded auto.. online so can see it in another pone or outside home for my grandma ?
Very helpful and thorough review. Much appreciated as our family is new to Libre 2.
I turned my fl2 into cgm using OOP2 & xDrip+ on my Samsung 10+. Better than fl3 except for size.
Thank you for sharing! A nice DIY FSL3 version:)
I have been watching your channel since my diagnosis 2 years ago. Ii am also a health professional dealing with diabetic patients and find your tips really good. Libre 3 is not coming out in the UK at least for a year, and would love to try the miaow miaow 3, especially after trialing the glucoRx Aidex which was a big no no
Very informative video. Your videos are worth their weight in gold.
I do have a couple questions though. So that hole in the sensor that freestyle says to leave uncovered, doesn’t the skin grip patch cover it?
Also, why is it that sometimes I scan but it says to try again in 10 minutes?
I have the same question a out the 10 minutes.
I have had 3 sensors fail in one month. I just put another one on so not sure if it’ll be 4 now for another hour 🙄
The last one that worked was a 40 mg difference from my glucometer which is dangerous especially for someone on a sliding scale. One of the sensors when applied the needle stayed in my arm (the metal needle) attached to the sensor. Another said at first scan after application “sensor not working”. I get 7 sensors every 3 1/4 months and to have 3 not work in a 1 month period is ridiculous. The adhesive is also well known to cause allergic skin reactions. Abbott is also very slow to send replacements and you have to go through an hour long interrogation and one time when I needed a reader replacement sent a sensor instead. It took 3 months to finally get one and only got it because my Drs office called. Doesn’t help they don’t have a 24 hour help line either since the online form doesn’t allow you to do multiply sensors numbers at the time and send you to imessage which is also closed and their hours don’t cover weekends , after-hours or holiday help. Worst part is Abbott is very aware of all of the sensor issues yet refuses to allow pharmacies or Drs offices to give you replacements. They can only be gotten from Abbott.
Hello and thank you for all you do for us out here. I am being issued my first Libre 2 by the veteran's hospital and am learning as much as possible about the system before it arrives which leads me to a question. How do your viewers carry their readers with them? (I have an old phone that does not support the app) Thanks
I just use the little pouch that was used to hold my old traditional blood sugar reader and test strips Should be able to buy at Walgreens fits in your pocket comfortably
And of course I have a dedicated video
I hate the Libre 2 and the rest of these glucose monitoring system. I hate the alarms! I removed mine today and deleted the app from my phone. I'll just have to deal with finger prices. Libre SUCKS! Waste of money.
i was diagnosed in march 2023 type 2
bought the libre 2 sensors. they cost 120.00 for 2 wks. i was getting alarms for going low and going high. i had a avg of 7.8 for 3 months use. i had my a1c tested on blood work, the result was 6.3 i dont understand the discrepancy. im going again the week to test my a1c and will determine if its still way off from my current readings.
i was hurting my fingers and couldn't always test myself at work. i am working overtime now to pay for these sensors and looking at options to buy them...apparently costco is cheaper.
any thoughts?
Excellent video. Many thanks.
Hi - I noticed in some of your videos you have a separate display for your CGM on the shelves behind you. Where can I get one (either for G7 or FL 2)?
Hi just wondering if there is a way to hook the Freestyle Libre 2 reader to a laptop or computer like I used to do with the Libre 1 app?. Here in Canada there doesn’t appear to be an app for Libre 2, and I can’t figure out how to get my data from the reader to hard paper copy? Just wondering as you said you just attached it to your computer and I retried that t got nothing from doing it. Thanks David 🏴🇨🇦
There is an app for iOS because I’m using it. It says in the manual which iOS systems are compatible. It also says to turn off your automatic updates until you know if the update is going to be compatible. I’ve had no trouble at all. My numbers are only two digits off from when I do a finger stick.
It's a piece of crap. So far in my first 6 weeks I've had a 65% failure rate. Sure Abbott gladly and fairly quickly (3 to 4 days) sends me a replacement but still when 2 out of every 3 are failed sensors -- that defines a piece of crap.
Thanks so much. I didn't know a lot about the alarms untill I needed to goto hospital last week. Thanks for mentioning it again. I'm lucky that my insurance is covering the FSL2, but I only had the FLS1 not even 8 months unitll I got a FLS2. Really throwing money down the drain I think. I have family in SK with Type 1 that don't even get the FLS1 covered. Isn't there a way we can do this for people / poor countries? What should I do with old hardware like FLS1? Of course, the sensors are the problem these are expensive. There must be so many unused FLS1 around. If you could help other people with an older model that would be great I think.
You have great points! I totally agree that the access in developing countries is very bad. I am trying the best I can spreading the awareness in the community and talking to the companies who make the sensors. Another way to help in developing countries is a donation to T1international non-profit which I would encourage everyone to do. I personally will be donating $5,000 later this year from my YT channel revenue earned.
Thanks. If you could return your old FSL1 or collect points (City) you could help others tyype1. My FSL1 is sitting in my cabinet brand new hardly used. If you could spread te word that would be great. (recycle FSL1) :-) all the best.
Facebook has sites where diabetics donate supplies. The US has one called Diabetics Pay it Forward US. Maybe the country you live in has something similar.
Why would they not make the app provide alarms? I was spoiled by my dexcom reader and now trying to use the Libre 3 app i hate it so much im gonna see if my insurance will give me a reader and let me switch to the 2. The app wont let me change the time window the graph is showing. I'm sitting here looking at 12 hours of graph. My dexcom I was able to look at an hour, 2 hours, 3, and i think 6 and 12. This scrunched up grash is almost worthless for seeing my trends. Does the reader let you change that time window? I just want my dexcom back but they will give me a Libre 2 reader i would be willing to try that. But between the scrunched up graph and no alarms this thing is aweful. Thankyou for any hep man
I wipe down my skin with 99% Isopropyl Alcohol, wait a minute and then apply the patch, after that i apply an over patch and normally they last the whole 2 weeks.
To me it’s sad that you have to go to a second source (u-tube) to get product information. I try to call Libre2 and can find no one that I can understand 😪😪👎👎 Looking to change to a different brand.
I don't know about anybody else but my Libra is inaccurate, it gave me a reading of 200 I got an excellent shot and drop down to 39 so I checked it again and it said my reading was 190 so I've done a blood glucose and it said my blood glucose was one the calibrations are off very bad I've had mine for only a week and the whole week is been giving me bad readings that could put my life in danger
I really like the Libre 2. It does not cause my skin to break out in a rash- like the dexcom. Unfortunately, I am getting the omnipod- and the Libre 2 is not compatible with it.
I used the sensor for 1 time I only had it on for 24 hours because the sensor failed but I have to say I followed all the instructions and watched your video first so I installed it correctly but for me I got allot of blood coming out of the sensor for like 5 minutes...I also followed your instructions to remove the sensor and I had tons of blood and a pretty large hole in my skin from this thing...Also a large bruise around the area nothing like what you show on the videos? I dont think I will try it again.
I think when you say "I am not a Doctor/Dietician/Nutritionist" you should add But I give you more Pertinent Data than most of them will.
Great video but I'm wondering: how do you avoid gaps during the night when you need to be scanning every 8 hours and you sleep 8 hours?
Thanks for the detailed review. I am new to all of these and it is very informative for me.
So they put this on our Corgi dog 1.5 days ago it reads…401 every single time. It that’s normal to read the exact same all day & night?
Nice video as usual. I just got the FreeStyle Libre 2 and I'm totally unimpressed with its accuracy. So far, it's 5 points higher on the low end and 35+ points higher on the high end of glucose readings from my Accu-Chek meter. I'm real sure my Accu-Chek is accurate as its readings match very closely to what my blood tests show for glucose. It's got 14-days to get more accurate, or it will go in the trash where garbage belongs. The part that bothers me the most is that I spent my own hard earned money on it as my "Freedom of Choice" health insurance provider has deemed that it's not medically necessary for me as a T2 diabetic since I'm not diabetic enough according to their non-medical guidelines.
Accu-Chek meter has plus 15 per cent or minus 15 per cent error
Sounds like you have a bad doctor mine determined I was a great candidate to get it for free from my insurance and made it happen with her personal recommendations. Might just have a lazy doctor or one who doesn’t care. I’m also type 2 (34 years old).
I’m sorry to hear about your insurance and there idiotic thought process involving how difficult it is for those who have it to monitor it effectively without constant pricks and pain. It’s a shame they would rather stay using the Stone Age methods that many diabetics give up on doing because of the constant pricking and process of checking blood sugar and those people just end up living as if they don’t have diabetes but then there health deteriorates and in the end cost the insurance more money because you get sicker and you visit the hospital more such a shame they would rather let people struggle and suffer than embrace innovation that not only improves a diabetics life and saves the insurance in the long run it’s completely asinine
@@jasonsalistean9192 for some insurance plans like ppo offered through employers are ruthless when it comes to what it considers needed or not they don’t have an issue with you purchasing it completely but when u want to use insurance as it’s designed they don’t wanna pay there share
If your issue is around the pain of lancing your fingers there is a lancing device called genteel, they are more expensive than a standard lacing device but much, much cheaper then wasting your money on libre2 sensors that constantly fail.
It uses a very precise lance and a slight vacuum to allow you to pull a droplet of blood from places where you normally cannot like the upper arm.
The first one I got nearly a decade ago, and only had to replace it recently. I never get any pain pulling blood from my upper arm and the readings have been just as accurate as the readings from my fingers.
I use 'Not Just a Patch' for my over patch, sort of triangle shaped, really easy to use and they last me really well!
Since 3 days, a bluetooth not working (no signal) the issue in reader or sensor?
Another great video and thanks. We just got Libre 2 released in Canada and I am a little concerned with the alarm function. If they system does not update unless scanned, how does it get the information on when to activate the alarm. If I scan my sensor every few hours, how does it know that an hour after my last scan that I am going to be high or low at that time? Extrapolation in the trend or rate my levels are changing? I will be starting the new Libre 2 sensor in a few days and look forward to trying this out. Honestly....I can't wait for the Libre 3 to be released in Canada and I think will be a great improvement to the alarm function.
When you scan with Libre2, NFC (Near Field Communication) passes the current level and levels for the last 8 hours. Alarms are triggered by Bluetooth communication of the current level every minute. Some third party apps use those levels to provide real time data. I haven't been able to use such apps. Alarms trigger once, but will retrigger if you change the threshold. My low alarm is set at 5.0 and I get an alarm at a lower value, typically 4.9. I then set the alarm level to 4.5 and get another alarm at 4.4. In parallel, I use small quantities of fast carbohydrates to preempt a hypo. North American readers should multiply my numbers by 18. 😃
@@walter3631 thanks for the info. I didn't think the Libre 2 had a Bluetooth connection and thought it was just NFC.
Freestyle Libre 2 is a pile of crap... 50% of the units fail on a regular bases, yes, they replace them for free, but the process is ridiculous 😮
I just started using Libre 2 five days ago. I didn't properly understand how it worked. Now it's started giving me E2 error alarms.
I think the accuracy sucks. Always giving low readings. No calibration is a con also. I went back to glucose strips.
Can Libre2 be used without having a reader - I mean Libre2 Sensor and Smartphone - will this work ?
The sensor is supposed to last for 14 days but my experience is the sensor accuracy always drops off around 4 days before it expires.
I’ve been afraid of using this,but now I feeling better about using it. Thank you for sharing your review
I’m using Libre 2 yesterday I had a MRI an had to remove my sensor that I put on the day before. When I got home I but new sensor on an got a message on my mentor sayi can’t be used with this reader. What do I do?
Thanks for sharing this information was helpful, i used it since i saw your reviews. I would like to know if i can extends the life more than 14 days. I use the reader libre 2, the android app don't work in my cel phone because the region i think.
Thanks for another good video. In the US we lag behind on the ability to use your phone to scan instead of using the reader. It's been just a few months since an app was available for Apple phones. Unfortunately for the millions of Android phones there is no app available that works with Libre 2. So you have no alternative but to purchase and use a reader. Abbott states that they are working on the Android phone app but do not have a date when it will become available.
I've been using the libre2 system since it became available in the US. The biggest problem I've experienced is that some of the sensors just don't work properly - either they won't work at all or the readings are so far off from test strip results that they're unusable. Fortunately Abbott has been very good about replacing each bad sensor. However it is a lot of hassle to have to go through the exercise of getting a replacement.
Weird - in the UK there's an Android version available, I wonder why it isn't the same in the US?
thanks
Can I use a libre 3 on my iPhone at the same time I use ibuds for hearing? Would Bluetooth work for both at the same time?
Tom! I'm a type 2 Insulin since 1996. I just put on my first Libre 2 painlessly. Waited 8 hours then took a shower and the edge came lose. My husband nail glued down the edges and I wrapped it in an ace bandage. I have skin tac and covers coming, as well as, a purple band coming from Amazon tomorrow. I did prepare the skin back of left arm per your directions.
Hi Lisa. Thank you so much for sharing and apologies for my late response! Sorry to hear about the troubles. I hope you have been able to "save" this one and use it for the full two weeks! Wihsing you all the best with Libre 2. Welcome to the team!:)
Yes, I followed your instructions with Tegaderm and the watch type band. Now on day 9 thanks to you!
I have a question the insulin sud be gven from outside. Its only a monitoring system of the glucose level??
Tom, it appears the Miaomiao 1 does not work with the FL2 on a iOS smartphone. Can you advise? Thanks.
Thanks for this great video Tom! It's such a shame that neither Libre 3 nor Dexcom G7 is available for testing with Android phones yet. We have been waiting since 2020.
I picked up this system because I thought it would be easier in the long run so I wouldn't go through so many testing strips. But having it around a week and a half now Im still going through strips almost as much due to the fact that you really can't trust the readings. I mean if it takes the sensor a week to properly read accurately then its a useless product for those who need acurate test results. It does say to keep a finger meter on hand which in all reality defeats the purpose of this meter. Def a gimmick that can get people sick... Sorry. Would not recommend if you're into accurate results...
Agreed, also you are constantly having to fuss and worry about it coming off. Especially if you are paying full price of about $100aud per sensor it constantly has you feeling anxiety about it.
A bunch of anxiety, a sensor that gives erroneous readings, and doesn't last a week before dying or falling off.
Yeah it's not convient at all compared to test strips.
I put mine on my thigh and use the app to scan. Scanning after a hot shower always shows a much higher inaccurate reading
Was about to apply the sensor but the needle length got me nervous & it expired in may. Google said not to use it if expired so i've left it out for now. Wish that needle thing wasnt as big
I started with libre 1 and I wish I had known about how terrible the reader was. It was a total waste of money!! It’s so cheaply made, the touch screen is so hard to use and the only function on it that I like it being able to test my ketones. If I was using it only as a glucometer I would rather a different brand honestly
Same, I only use it as a glucometer now
Thank you. I just ordered the skin grip.
Great content.
Awesome! Thank you for your kind words!
How many readings can libre give? 10 per day?
Question, if I read constantly daily does it make that my Freestyle die before time? I had my other sensor that died on the 7thday and the one I had till yesterday died with 4 days pending. It's annoying since they arent free for me I have to pay a lot and they arent working completely these last two sensors. 😞
I've begun getting CGM readings below what my glucose meter says and the error greatly increases in the last 4 days of each sensor .. but this only happens in my left arm and not my right arm over the last 5-sensors. I've tried contacting Abbott labs and they are quick to send me replacement sensors. However, I can't really believe it's a sensor problem since it so far has never happened in my right arm
I am shocked any of your sensors actually lasted till they had 4 days left. All of mine either come loose or die by the 4th to 7th day. I've given up trying, I keep sinking money into these things hoping I have a dud. So far it's been a 100% fail rate.
I had one on for 3 days. It was extremely inaccurate.
My father was visiting, he’s usually up around 7, at noon I got worried, he was comatose, called the ambulance, his sugar was .7, was released the next day, so I went and got him a libre 2, I was gonna get up every 2 hours to check on him, but the machine had a warning you can set anywhere, so great, I had a fairly good sleep, I thought because he had that machine everything was fine, at 10:00 I went into the bedroom, yup was rolled up, couldnt talk, flailing around, couldn’t move his left side, grabbed the LIBRE 2, error, it could of killed my father,ambulance again, bs 0.7 AGAIN, since that second 0.7 incident he stares into space, which he never did before, so I am very bitter at Libre 2, I was very upset with this machine, and just want people to be very cautious.
Do I need this with diabetes 2?
How to download data from the reader to a mobile phone instead of the computer?
T2D. Started FL2 40 days ago. It keeps me more mindful of eating.
One thing i would mention, choose the date you start your Libre2 carefully, unless you feel comfortable switching the sensors on vacations and carrying bio-haz home.
Also, If you contact Abbott, they will send you a bag that will hold 6 sensor packs and 6 applicators. [Such a waste
SMH]
We find that at least 1/4 of the sensors never read. That’s pretty poor
MARD = Mean _Absolute_ Relative Difference
Hey Nice content. You are really a diligent and in a very short period of time you have done a really good job for all the diabetic community. If I talk about my experience I tried both 14 days sensor and Libre 2 but I never get accurate readings and Bluetooth stability was a question mark so I switched back to the 14 days sensor and to get alarms I started using Ambrosia's Nightrider. The reason behind it as it has more feature then libre 2. Readings are in range and easy to manage my diabetes
I've noticed that my FL2 readings start to climb, when I get up in the morning and it's not dawn syndrome, as my blood glucose readings are always lower. I think I've narrowed this behaviour down to being driven by the temperature of my skin, with lower temperatures leading to higher readings and vice versa. I tend to prefer to be on the cold side of comfortable, so it may just be me, but when I put on more clothes or get back into bed, the readings tend to drop. Overall, my FL2 readings tend to indicate a higher estimated A1C than my subsequent actual A1C results, so maybe my preference for being cooler is affecting that? I'd just put it down to changes in the size of blood capillaries changing the makeup of the interstitial fluid, but who knows?
Hello mate, I’ve started the sensor and after the 3rd day I’m amazed with these results and can see my levels, much better than finger testing strips, running around blind to the photo clip finger test reading, but now I’m so happy and feel much better now as l can see the readings and eat better and much more carefully eating the amount to eat to keep my readings good 👍👍👍👍
Best video review I seen - a lot of information. Good info like if alarm goes off wont alert again unless drops be low as I thought the Libre 2 automatically updated your phone each few mins without having to scan but still takes seconds to scan so not a problem. Is this live updates on the new libre 3?
Getting mine in a few days and defo getting some of those skingrips as plasters etc dont stick well to me so probs need something like this.
Bookmarking to watch the other videos in depth.
Thanks :-)
I don't have diabetes but I get low blood sugar when I haven't eaten for 4-5 hours, my hands get shaky, rapid heart rate and light headedness.. Do u think this could help me In tgis situation?
My Sensors only last me 1 week why help me please 🙏
Have you revisited this since the latest App update? It now does continuous minute by minute readings. So, it seems it had the ability to do this all along but it's taken newer rivals doing more for less to force Abbott to improve their offering. Interesting that it may have had this feature all along though (says the cynical me).
I scanned the sensor with the Libre2 reader, no problem. Then I launched the Libre2 app on my phone and scanned the sensor. It told me “the sensor you just scanned was started by another device and cannot be used.” So apparently I can’t use my reader AND my phone. Just one or the other. Unless there’s a trick I don’t know. I am new to this.