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Overview – Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor
As much as Diabetes is a chronic disease, it does not have to become a lifetime sentence. With proper management and monitoring, it is a manageable disease. If diabetes is not managed correctly, it can lead to other health complications.
To monitor and track glucose levels in the blood, individuals with diabetes must do several tests daily, depending on the type of diabetes. Some have to do the testing up to 10 times daily.
A Continuous Glucose Monitor is worn to track and measure blood glucose 24/7. It helps monitor and manage Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes by automatically checking the glucose level.
According to Felicia A. Mendelsohn Curanaj, MD, an endocrinologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center, “Diabetic patients who have insulin pumps also use CGM devices. These devices have gained popularity because they provide real time access to blood glucose levels.”
What is Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor?
A Continuous Glucose Monitor, also abbreviated as CGM, is a device that carries out a continuous analysis of blood sugar levels. It is a compact medical device used at home to give accurate information.
Before CGMs, individuals with diabetes use a finger stick test for blood sugar. Readings from this particular test only provided a single reading at a time. In contrast, the CGM offers a continuous stream of readings and data, contributing to better management of diabetes.
Readings provided by the CGM usually take a 5-minute interval. They offer a practical and convenient option for monitoring blood glucose without the need for too many components, completely changing diabetes care.
How Does It Rate?
Brand Highlights
- Continuous monitoring and tracking of blood glucose levels throughout the day.
- Bridgewater Health Supplies, an Oyster Bay, New York-based supplier of medical equipment, offers its customers the Continuous Glucose Monitor.
- It was founded in 2020 as a limited liability corporation.
Components
- Sensor, Transmitter, Monitor.
Pros
- The need for finger pricking is not as much.
- Ideal for individuals with hypoglycemia unawareness.
- Availability of information and data useful for detecting blood sugar trends.
- It helps with a better understanding of diabetes and how to manage it.
- It clarifies the effects of specific diet plans and exercise on diabetes.
Cons
- The process of inserting the sensor can be painful for some people.
- The site of sensor insertion can become irritated or sore.
- Instances of loss of signal between components of the CGM have arisen.
About The Brand
The Freestyle Libre CGM was introduced and launched worldwide in 2014 by Abbot Laboratories. The device got approved for use in the United States in 2017. In the year 2021, Abbot received approval from the FDA, allowing the device’s compatibility with a smartphone to scan the glucose results.
The Continuous Glucose Monitor is supplied to clients by Bridgewater Health Supplies, a medical equipment supply company based in Oyster Bay, New York. It is a limited liability company that started in 2020.
They supply long-lasting medical equipment direct to the client’s homes through a seamless process. They also give their consumers access to the best and most cutting-edge medical equipment.
How Does the Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor Work?
The CGM has three significant components. A sensor detects the sugar in the bloodstream, and a transmitter works with the other two parts of the device. The other part is the monitor, which displays the information.
A Continuous Glucose Monitor is worn on the body where a small sensor is inserted directly under the skin. Ideally, they should be placed on the belly or the arm to allow a thin tube to go through the top layer of your skin.
The insertion is done through a small incision which a doctor should do in a clinic. The blood sugar gets detected by the sensor while in the interstitial fluid. These sensors need to have to be replaced every 7-14 days.
The transmitter, which is oval and flat in shape, is a connection between all three parts. It receives the readings from the sensor and then communicates with the monitor to display them. It is placed where the sensor was inserted and secured with adhesive.
Once the transmitter has established the connection with the monitor, it displays the information for the user to see. A diabetes patient can share the information displayed on the monitor and collected by the device with a doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Who are the Beneficiaries of the Continuous Glucose Monitor?
For every individual living with diabetes, the CGM is an essential tool. If you have Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, or prediabetes, the CGM will help monitor and track your glucose levels continuously.
The CGM gives you a better understanding of your blood sugar levels 24 hours daily. Clinically the tool has also been cited as valuable in helping reduce complications that can arise from poor management of diabetes.
Has CGM changed the Lives of People Living with Diabetes?
The Continuous Glucose Monitor has empowered people living with diabetes by improving how they manage the illness and, in turn, increasing their quality of life. With a CGM, you can access your blood glucose throughout the day.
When a complication arises, the response will be fast and proactive. Some diabetes complications lead to diseases that affect the kidney and digestive system. But, with a continuous evaluation of the glucose, risks associated with diabetes are considerably reduced.
One of the most significant risks that come with diabetes is hypoglycemia. There have been instances where people with diabetes haven’t been able to pick up on the warning signs of hypoglycemia; in such cases, the CGM will alert the user of impending low sugar levels, which can be dangerous.
The real-time glucose readings from the Continuous Glucose Monitor help build a healthier lifestyle with a dietary plan ideal for diabetic care and management. The most critical step in managing diabetes is keeping track of and monitoring blood sugar levels.
Another benefit of using CGM is less pricking and poking of fingers. Fingersticks are, however, still used together with CGMs for calibration. However, it is only needed sometimes since it is not a constant requirement with a CGM.
The CGM provides convenience and discretion for individuals who prefer privacy when checking their glucose levels.
FAQS about Continuous Glucose Monitor
Q: How many times does the sensor need to be changed?
A: The sensor must be changed after one to two weeks.
Q: What is the total number of readings you can get from the CGM daily?
A: In a single day, the CGM generates 288 readings.
Q: Where can you buy the Freestyle Libre CGM?
A: The device can be bought at Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Rite Aid, or Walgreen.
Q: What is the price of the Freestyle Libre CGM?
A: The price of the CGM ranges from $54 to $69 if bought at retail pharmacies. The device is covered by insurance, and individuals must pay from $10 to $75 a month.
Q: Do I need a prescription to get the Freestyle Libre device?
A: Yes. A doctor’s prescription is a requirement before getting the device.
Q: What is the ideal place on the body to insert the CGM?
A: The CGM should be placed on the belly or upper arm.
Q: Is it a must to calibrate a CGM device?
A: Yes. The calibration helps in the conversion of the information collected into usable data.
Reviews from Freestyle Libre Continuous Glucose Monitor Users
Below are some reviews from individuals who have used the device—many revs of its efficiency and effectiveness in helping with diabetes management.
One user replaced their old meter with the Freestyle Libre CGM and was happy with how well it worked. They said, “I got it to replace my old glucometer, and I love that the cost doesn’t break the bank. It works like a charm! I would recommend it.”
Easy to use with big numbers.
The display is big and shows the results well, and I don’t need glasses!
It works well.
I had a meter that got spoilt and needed a new one. The price was reasonable, and I decided to buy it.
It is accurate.
A family member with diabetes recommended this to me, and I am sold! I am happy I got it. The results make sense compared to the device I had before.
Conclusion
By looking at the reviews, it is clear that most people who have used the Freestyle Libre CGM love the convenience the device brings to their lives by providing an improved way of checking blood glucose levels.
Regarding the price point, Freestyle Libre is affordable and accessible, which affords individuals with diabetes the flexibility to manage the disease well, which in turn leads to an improved lifestyle.
Where To Find It?
You can BUY it directly from the Official Website
Product reviews are provided for informational purposes only and reflect solely the views and opinions expressed by the contributors and not those of Consumer Health Digest. We do not verify or endorse any claims made in these reviews. Please read the full product reviews disclaimer. *All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.
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5 Sources
We review published medical research in respected scientific journals to arrive at our conclusions about a product or health topic. This ensures the highest standard of scientific accuracy.
[2] Homepage _ Bridgewater Health Supplies: https://glucosemonitors.info/
[3] Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar) - Symptoms & Treatment: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11647-hypoglycemia-low-blood-sugar
[4] Prediabetes - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prediabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20355278
[5] What is Diabetes - NIDDK: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes
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