Glucose Monitoring Made Easy With FreeStyle Libre

If you are susceptible to Hyperglycemic (high glucose) and Hypoglycemic (low glucose) events, you may be all too familiar with the troubles that come with glucose monitoring with a glucometer This process can be tedious and painful. However, it is important to keep your glucose levels in the target range as much as possible to help prevent long-term health problems, such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease. Staying in your target range can also help improve your energy and mood. FreeStyle Libre is a revolutionary device by Abbott that helps monitor your glucose levels and is designed to liberate people from many of the hassles of glucose monitoring, such as painful finger pricking.

The FreeStyle Libre device comes with two components:

1. FreeStyle Libre sensor

A small, disposable 14-day sensor that is worn on the back of the upper arm that measures glucose levels and stores readings for a period of 8 hours. Every time the user scans the reader over the sensor, the glucose data from the sensor is transferred to the reader.

2. FreeStyle Libre reader

A compact, handheld device that displays glucose readings and stores up to 90 days of glucose data. When the reader is scanned over the sensor, it shows a current glucose reading and the last 8-hours of data with a trend arrow.

Apart from providing freedom from routine finger pricks, the FreeStyle Libre has the following advantages:

1. It makes checking your glucose levels easier than ever with instant painless glucose readings through a simple one-second scan.
2. You don't have to carry finger testing strips with you wherever you go.
3. It allows you to access real-time graphs that show how your glucose levels change throughout the day.
4. Using FreeStyle Libre gives you accurate readings every time without the need for calibration.
5. Wearing the sensor is simple and discreet, it is also waterproof* and can be scanned through clothing.
6. It allows you to take up to 1440 glucose readings per day. With each reading, you get glucose trends that tell you whether levels are rising, falling, or staying steady.
7. It shows you how much time your glucose levels have spent in the target range.

With FreeStyle Libre, you can also quickly adjust what you are eating, your insulin intake (always ask your healthcare provider before making any dose changes), or your exercise routine to help keep your glucose levels on the right track.

FreeStyle Libre can be used by all age groups. FreeStyle Libre is widely used by both Type 1 and Type 2 patients alike. The product can also be used by pregnant women** and in children above 4 years of age.***

How to use FreeStyle Libre?

1. Apply: Apply the sensor to the back of your upper arm with the applicator.
2. Scan: A painless one-second scan is all you need to see your glucose readings.
3. Read: See your current glucose reading, eight hours of data, and a trend arrow that shows you where your glucose is heading.

*The sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 meter (3 feet) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes.

** Proven to be safe and effective for use during pregnancy, Scott EM, Bilous RW, Kautzky-Willer A. Accuracy, user acceptability, and safety evaluation for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system when used by pregnant women with diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2018;20(3):180-188

***For children aged 4-12, a caregiver at least 18 years old is responsible for supervising, managing, and assisting them in using the FreeStyle Libre System and interpreting its readings.

Disclaimer: This content is meant for awareness and educational purposes and does not constitute or imply an endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation of any products. Please consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner before starting any diet, medication or exercise.