Testing Sugar
Eliminate daily Finger sticks!!
******Plus get more readings
Self-monitoring glucose (sugar) at home is important for everyone with diabetes!
WHY?
It is important to have awareness of how behaviors like physical activity, food choices, stress and diabetes medications affect blood sugar levels so adjustments can be made to get sugars in a healthy range and to feel well and to prevent complications.
“What gets measured gets managed.”
Peter Drucker
The first meters were marketed for home use in 1981.
In 1999 Continuous Glucose Meters became available. At that time they were mostly used for people with Type 1 diabetes, they were very expensive and finger sticks were required to calibrate the meter.
Almost 20 years later we now have Continuous Glucose Meters (CGM) that is marketed to all people with Diabetes and do not require finger stick blood sugar readings to calibrate the meter.
The most affordable meter and the first to avoid calibration with finger stick blood sugar readings is the NEW Freestyle Libre.
The FDA and Abbott finally announced long-awaited US approval in September 2017 of the FreeStyle Libre for adults with diabetes.
Like the International version, the FreeStyle Libre sensor is considered a replacement for finger sticks – it does not require any daily finger stick calibrations and real-time readings and trends can be used for insulin dosing. However, in some cases such as with hypoglycemia, when glucose is changing rapidly (such as with food or exercise) or when symptoms don’t match the system’s readings, it is recommended to confirm the value with a finger stick. The first week I recommend testing blood glucose against the Freestyle Libre, to verify accuracy, especially if dosing insulin with the Freestyle Libre.
“Instead of taking glucose readings from your blood, CGM sensor glucose readings are taken from the interstitial fluid (ISF), a thin layer of fluid that surrounds the cells of the tissues below your skin. Blood glucose readings tend to be about 5 to 10 minutes ahead of interstitial glucose readings. For most treatment decisions, sensor readings from the FreeStyle Libre system can replace finger stick readings.” https://www.freestylelibre.us/system-overview/about-system-sensor.html
How to use the Freestyle Libre:
Apply the sensor to the back of the arm. It is about the size of 2 quarters stacked. An applicator is provided which is easy to use and the sensor is comfortable to wear. A very thin filament sits just under the skin to measure interstitial fluid.
Users take a touchscreen reader device; hold it up 1.5 inches above the sensor patch, and in less than a second can see their real-time glucose value, a glucose trend arrow, and a trend graph showing the last eight hours of data.
Currently the sensor can be worn for 10 days and has a 12-hour warm-up period in which you are unable to see sugars. As of writing this article, July 2018, “The FreeStyle Libre 14 day system will be available via prescription in the coming months at participating pharmacies and durable medical equipment suppliers (DMEs) in the U.S.” As of 10/23/18, I learned that now the 14 day system is available! If already have 10-day sensor, may get free 14-day reader, https://www.freestylelibre.us/
This new 14-day system will have a 1-hour warm-up period opposed to the current 12-hour warm-up period.
“The Libre measures glucose every 60 seconds and stores the data until the system user waves the reader over the sensor to get the sensor sugar result. The Reader records your reading every 15 minutes for up to 10 days.”
It’s fast, easy, and can be done over any type of clothing.
Will my insurance pay for the device?
Medicare will cover for the Freestyle libre if you are on insulin injections 3 or more times a day and need to obtain from an approved DME supplier. There are other specific criteria and list of approved DME suppliers that are documented on this pdf.
Covered by most commercial insurance. “Most commercially-insured patients pay between $40 to $75 per month for FreeStyle Libre sensors – 10 day.”
Call your insurance company to find out if the Freestyle Libre is covered by your insurance. If already have the 10-day sensor, a new prescription for the 14-day system is needed. The 10-day reader doesn’t work with the 14-day sensors.
If your insurance does not cover Freestyle Libre, you can still get it with a prescription and pay for it out of pocket. As of 10/29/2018;
CVS: Handheld Reader= $83.99 (One time cost), $133.99 for 10-day -3 sensors/transmitters which is for 1 month. For 1 month with the 14-day for 2 sensors=$92.99.
Walmart: Handheld Reader=$79.45 (One time cost), $130.99 for 10-day 3 sensors/transmitters. For 1 month with the 14 -day sensor for 2 sensors=130.64.
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As a RN Certified Diabetes Educator, I trialed the Freestyle Libre for 20 days. I wore it to learn about it personally. Nothing beats having the experience! I can attest to the ease of use and the valuable information it provided me. I performed my daily activities such as exercising, showering, etc. without even feeling the sensor on my arm. I scanned the sensor about 20x or more. It was fun and interesting. It was easy to take off the sensor patch. Many of my clients don’t like finger sticks. Who would? This can change all that! I give this new device thumbs up.