Freestyle Libre 2 Sensor

What is the Freestyle Libre 2 sensor?

The Freestyle Libre 2 sensor is one half of Freestyle Libres’ next step in continuous glucose monitoring. When used with the Libre 2 reader, this sensor can provide 14 days of accurate results for both adults and children aged 4 and up who have diabetes. A painless one second scan is all you need to read your results without needing to draw and test blood. This system even includes optional, real-time alarms that will let you know if your glucose levels have become too low or too high. This product includes your Libre2 sensor, the reader is sold separately.

How does the Freestyle Libre 2 system make glucose testing easier and more convenient?

The Freestyle Libre 2 can provide minute-by-minute glucose readings, helping you to identify highs, lows, and trends more easily than ever. This data can give your healthcare team all the information they need to help you manage your diabetes effectively, and helps you to take action as and when you need to to keep your levels where they need to be throughout the day. All of this information is easy to access and read using the Libre 2 reader and LibreLink app, so you’ll have everything you need to take charge of your healthcare with just a tap.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a long term condition which affects the amount of insulin your body can make. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 diabetes means that you can’t produce any insulin at all, and Type 2 means that your ability to create insulin has been reduced. Insulin is a hormone which helps your body to release the glucose in your blood into your system so it can give you the energy you need to function. If you aren’t producing enough insulin, the glucose in your blood can’t get into your cells effectively, making you feel tired and causing weight loss, severe thirst, blurred vision and other common symptoms of diabetes.

Why would I need to monitor my glucose levels?

Monitoring your glucose levels in an important part of managing diabetes. Diabetes can mean that the changes in your blood sugar levels are more extreme than in people without diabetes. If your blood sugar gets too low it can cause long term complications or can even cause serious hypoglycaemia which can need immediate treatment. By monitoring your blood glucose levels, your doctor or healthcare team can help to make sure you’re managing your diabetes properly and prescribe medications to help you manage your condition, if necessary. This will help to prevent long term complications, such as loss of sight and damage to your blood vessels which could result in amputation.

What is CGM (continuous glucose monitoring)?

Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is an alternative to blood glucose monitoring (BGM), which doesn’t test your blood glucose but monitors the glucose in the tissues below your skin. When a CGM sensor is applied to your skin, it tests the glucose in your interstitial fluid (ISF), which surrounds the cells in the tissue beneath the outer layers of skin. The filament in the sensor is inserted into this layer of tissue where it can continuously keep track of the glucose levels there, sending reports back to your reader every minute, day and night.

How long does each sensor last?

Each Libre 2 sensor lasts for 14 days, sustaining a high level of accuracy for the entire 2 weeks. This means you’ll only need to use 2 sensors to be covered for most of a month, making this the longest lasting iCGM sensor currently available. If you’re looking for an easy way to monitor your glucose levels long term, the longevity of the Libre 2 could be exactly what you need.

How accurate is the Libre 2 system?

The Libre 2 system has been measured to be incredibly accurate when considering mean absolute relative difference (MARD), which is a performance measurement for CGM systems. MARD measures the average of error between the values of glucose measured by a CGM system and the matched reference values used in a testing environment. The smaller the percentage difference, the closer your CGM is to the tested reference values, and the more accurate your system is. The Libre 2 system has shown an average of 9.3% MARD, with 9.2% in adults and 9.7% in pediatrics. It stays this accurate over the 14 day period you use each sensor for, as long as you use it correctly, as recommended by the manufacturers.

Which reader is compatible with the Freestyle Libre 2 sensor?

The Freestyle Libre 2 sensor is compatible with the Libre 2 reader, working together to form a convenient and accurate system. The advances in the Libre system mean that you can’t use the original Freestyle Libre products with Libre 2. This product contains your Libre 2 sensor, the reader is sold separately.

What is the Freestyle LibreLink app?

The Freestyle LibreLink app is used alongside the Libre 2 system to let you monitor your blood glucose on your smartphone. It can also share your data with up to 20 people, letting them remotely track your glucose data and trends. This is perfect when you need to keep your doctor or healthcare team in the loop or for parents who need to keep an eye on their child’s glucose data.

Can children use this glucose monitoring system?

The Freestyle Libre 2 glucose monitoring system can be used by children aged 4 and up. This could be perfect for children who find monitoring their glucose levels with a finger prick system difficult or struggle to test as often as they need to. Of course, a responsible adult will need to monitor any child using the Freestyle Libre 2 system carefully and help them as needed to make sure it’s used safely and properly.

How to use the Libre 2 sensor

Apply the Libre 2 sensor to the skin of your upper arm as recommended by the manufacturer. You’ll find all the information you’ll need to apply it properly in the leaflet that comes with your sensor. You can keep the sensor in place for 14 days, even when you’re showering, bathing, swimming, or exercising. Use the Libre 2 reader to scan your sensor as needed, this will send your results to the reader where you can access them easily.

How can I use the real-time alarms?

To use the real-time alarms, you need to turn them on on the Libre 2 reader. When they’re switched on, you’ll need to make sure you stay within 20 feet or 6 meters of the reader at all times to make sure that the connection between the reader and sensor will stay intact. As long as these conditions are met, your reader will set an alarm to alert you when it detects:

• A low glucose reading
• A high glucose reading
• A loss of signal between the reader and sensor

Can I use this product during medical scans?

Although you’ll usually be able to wear your Libre 2 sensor all the time, there are some medical scans where you’ll need to remove your sensor so it doesn’t interfere with the scan. You should remove your sensor before you have any of the following:

• MRI
• CT scan
• X-ray
• Diathermy treatment

When should this product not be used?

You should not use the Freestyle Libre 2 system when you’re using an automated insulin dosing system (AID), including closed loop and insulin suspend systems. You should not take more than 500mg of vitamin C a day while using this product, as the supplement can affect your sensor readings, making them look higher than they are. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully at all times so you can be sure you’re getting the most accurate results possible. Speak to your doctor or health care team if you’re ever unsure about any aspect of blood glucose testing and results.

How to store this product

Store the sensor in its original packaging until you’re ready to use it. Store in a cool, dry place which is out of direct sunlight. Keep out of sight and reach of children.

Important information

Please note that we CANNOT accept the return of any used Freestyle Libre sensors due to safety and hygiene regulations. This is because the sensors have a needle attachment which could cause harm or spread illness. If you have any problems with your product, please contact our customer services team and they will let you know what to do next.