This is called the Freestyle Libre (the Freestyle Libre2, The newest model has alarms for predicted high or low blood sugar levels. There is only one flash glucose monitor manufactured at the moment. It’s expensive so if it’s something you’re thinking of doing, it’s worth speaking to your healthcare team first to see if they think it’s something that would suit you. If you don’t qualify for a flash glucose monitor or CGM, your main option is to self-fund a device. Margaret, 73, who has type 2 diabetes and uses insulin. “Using a Freestyle Libre helps me prevent hypos and it’s much more sociable because when I'm out, I don’t have to find somewhere convenient and clean to do a finger prick check. It’s also worth knowing that sensors only work for individual products, so sensors for a Freestyle Libre won’t work for a Freestyle Libre 2 or a CGM. If you get a Freestyle Libre or a CGM on the NHS, you should also get the other things you need like sensors and replacement parts.
#Freestyle libre flash glucose monitoring system sensor free#
Getting free Flash sensors and CGM sensors Generally people with type 1 diabetes should be offered a CGM or flash glucose monitor and some people with type 2 diabetes may be offered a flash glucose monitor to help manage daibetes. If you’re in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to check with your healthcare team. If you’re in England, Wales or Scotland, check the latest guidelines on who should be offered a flash glucose monitor or CGM on the NHS. How do I get a flash glucose monitor or CGM? Your diabetes healthcare team should be able to support you to make the decision on which device will be best for you. But unlike Flash, a CGM can ‘talk’ to an insulin pump, if you want to use a closed loop system. Reasons can include not liking the alarms. Some people prefer to use Flash (Freestyle Libre) over CGM. With a flash glucose monitor, it’s only when you wave (scan) your device over your sensor that you get your blood sugar readings. With a CGM your latest sugar levels show up on device or mobile automatically, transmitted by Bluetooth. Getting the free mobile phone app to use with the Freestyle Libre 1 and 2 sensors Difference between a flash glucose monitor and a CGM Help and tutorials from the Freestyle Libre manufacturer Abbott. Watch Matt's video about his experience of using a Freestyle Libre 2Ī description of what happens on screen in the video can be downloaded (Word, 12KB) How finger prick checks differ to CGM/Flash readings They can also suggest things to help increase time in range – which is shown every day on your device. "It's a real mental health break knowing what your blood sugar levels are doing at any one time." Matt Time in rangeĪs you can share your data online with your healthcare team, they can adjust your treatment. With the charts and graphs, you can start to see and understand how food, activity, and other things affect your blood sugar levels. One of the other main benefits of a flash glucose monitor and CGM is being able to review what your blood sugar levels do every minute of the day and night. This can also be set up to sound on someone else’s mobile, for example, a parent or carer’s. With a CGM and the latest flash glucose monitor (Freestyle Libre 2), you can also set an alarm to sound if your blood sugar levels go too low or too high. If someone helps you look after your diabetes, their mobile can be linked up too. You wear a small sensor on your body day and night that reads your blood sugar levels so you can see the information on your mobile, or other device. How does a flash glucose monitor and CGM work?įlash glucose monitors and continuous glucose monitors let you check your blood sugar levels without you having to prick your fingers.