Designed to replace the need for routine finger pricks†, a sensor based glucose monitoring system is made up of a sensor that is worn on the back of the upper arm that continuously measures the glucose concentration in the body's interstitial fluid during 14 days.
Using the FreeStyle LibreLink app◊, patients can scan their FreeStyle Libre sensor to see their glucose levels.
Sensor glucose readings come from the interstitial fluid, a thin layer of fluid that surrounds the cells of the tissue below the skin and not from the blood.
Glucose in the blood takes time to make its way into the interstitial fluid so there may be a lag time between the readings.
Average lag time between the FreeStyle Libre sensors^ and blood glucose readings:
2.1 minutes for children4
2.4 minutes for adults4
When glucose levels are stable, the two readings may be very similar. However, if glucose is rising or falling, then they might be different.
When blood glucose levels are stable, the glucose measurement displayed by the FreeStyle Libre systems in the interstitial fluid, are similar to blood glucose.
When blood glucose levels increase, the glucose measurement displayed by the FreeStyle Libre systems in the interstitial fluid may be below the blood glucose reading.
When blood glucose levels decrease, the glucose measurement displayed by the FreeStyle Libre systems in the interstitial fluid may be higher than the blood glucose reading.
Watch the video to find out more about the difference between testing interstitial fluid vs blood glucose:
The FreeStyle Libre sensors are accurate, stable and consistent over 14 days4 without the need for finger prick calibration.†
Accuracy is assessed by looking at the glucose readings the sensor provides compared to known independent reference. In this case, the reference is a finger prick blood glucose reading which is taken at the same time as the sensor scan. The comparison between the two different readings is plotted on a graph called a Consensus Error grid.
The closer the sensor reading to the reference blood glucose meter reading, the better the accuracy. This is reflected by the Consensus Error Grid by various areas on the graph labelled A to E. The higher the percentage of readings in Zones A and B, the more accurate the sensor is. The consensus Error Grid below shows 99.9% of readings in Zone A + B of the Consensus Error Grid.4
Find out about the accuracy of our next generation continuous glucose monitoring system, the FreeStyle Libre system.
Calibration is needed for commercially available CGM systems because the sensitivity of each sensor can vary within each batch that is made. The FreeStyle Libre sensors^ are calibrated at the factory – so your patients won’t need to calibrate it using a finger prick, ever.† This means you and your patients can be confident in the accuracy of the system, and that the accuracy you're receiving is what is reported, without being affected by discrepancies caused by finger prick calibration.
The Flash Glucose Monitoring system
References & Disclaimers
Images are for illustrative purposes only. Not real patient or data.
† Finger pricks are required if glucose readings do not match symptoms or expectations.
◊ The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink requires registration with LibreView.
* The FreeStyle Libre 3 app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check our website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Sharing of glucose data requires registration with LibreView.
φ For a complete glycaemic picture, scan once every 8 hours.
₸ Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 meter (3 feet) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes. Not to be used above 10,000 feet.
^ FreeStyle Libre, FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems are part of the same family of products.
1. Hortensius, Johanna., et al. Perspectives of patients with type 1 or insulin-treated type 2 diabetes on self-monitoring of blood glucose: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health 12.1 (2012):167.
2. Chudyk, Anna., et al. Self-Monitoring Technologies for type 2 Diabetes and the Prevention of Cardiovascular Complications: Perspectives from End Users. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology 5.2 (2011): 394–401.
3. Data on File, Abbott Diabetes Care. In a study conducted by Abbott Diabetes Care, 94% of patients surveyed (n=122) agree that the FreeStyle Libre sensor is comfortable to wear.
4. Alva S, et al. Accuracy of a 14-Day Factory-Calibrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring System With Advanced Algorithm in Pediatric and Adult Population With Diabetes. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. September 2020. doi:10.1177/1932296820958754.
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