How to Calibrate FreeStyle Libre and Get Accurate Sensor Readings
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- čas přidán 27. 07. 2024
- Step by step guide and 10 practical tips for FreeStyle Libre sensor calibration. I share how I calibrate my Libre sensor blood glucose readings using Miao Miao 2 transmitter and the Tomato app.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2022: MIAO MIAO 2 TRANSMITTER SHOWN IN THE VIDEO WAS REPLACED WITH MIAO MIAO 3 IN 2022. YOU CAN NOW USE EITHER MIAO MIAO 1 OR MIAO MIAO 3 TRANSMITTER TO CALIBRATE THE SENSOR IN THE TOMATO APP AS SHOWN IN THE VIDEO. HERE IS A $10 DISCOUNT LINK FOR MIAO MAIO 1 AND MIAO MIAO 3 - miaomiao.refr.cc/typeonetalks
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I share all lessons I learned while trying to calibrate inaccurate Freestyle Libre sensors in the past couple years.
0:00 Intro
1:12 How does Libre sensor calibration work
2:23 Calibrate correctly and get more accurate sensor readings
2:42 To get best Libre sensor calibration you need the best glucometer
3:07 3 golden rules of calibration: Your blood sugar needs to be levelled, stable, and in ideal range
5:52 Prick your finger like never before: You need as accurate blood sugar test as possible
6:43 Use easy and user friendly app like Tomato with MiaoMiao2 when you calibrate for the first time
8:06 Don't calibrate the Libre sensor during the first 24 hours
8:26 Do a few accurate calibrations at different blood sugar levels to provide more points of reference to the CGM app
8:57 Don't use data from LibreLink to calibrate your CGM app
9:28 Don't calibrate your Libre sensor too much
10:20 When you mess up delete the CGM app calibration history and start over
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WATCH NEXT:
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LINKS TO APPS DISCUSSED IN THE VIDEO:
Tomato tomato.cool/
xDrip+ (Android only) github.com/NightscoutFoundati...
Diabox www.bubblan.org/about-the-fut...
Spike (iOS only) spike-app.com/
DIABETIC DAD's CZcams channel: / @diabeticdadnz
MOST ACCURATE GLUCOMETERS:
Contour Next One www.amazon.com/Contour-Smart-...
AccuCheck Aviva www.amazon.com/AccuChek-Aviva...
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and my videos are not medical advice. Please consult your medical professional regarding your diabetes treatment. I'm not affiliated with Abbott, manufacturer of FreeStyle Libre.
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UPDATE FEBRUARY 2022: MIAO MIAO 2 TRANSMITTER SHOWN IN THE VIDEO WAS REPLACED WITH MIAO MIAO 3 IN 2022. YOU CAN NOW USE EITHER MIAO MIAO 1 OR MIAO MIAO 3 TRANSMITTER TO CALIBRATE THE SENSOR IN THE TOMATO APP AS SHOWN IN THE VIDEO. HERE IS A $10 DISCOUNT LINK FOR MIAO MAIO 1 AND MIAO MIAO 3 - miaomiao.refr.cc/typeonetalks
Tom's videos are so good that I often find myself clicking the Thumbs Up icon before I even watch the video because I am 100% sure I'll find it accurate and incredibly useful! Coming from a rather cynical 74 year old Type 1 diabetic who has himself written extensively on the subject that's high praise indeed! Job more than well done! Thanks Tom.
Thank you so so much my friend! Your kind words mean the world to me. Thank you for all your support. It motivates me to work harder and keep learning and improving going forward. Wishing you and your family all the best in the New Year. Stay safe and keep in touch!
I do the same
Tom, you can't imagine how helpful your videos are being for me in this period. I've discovered these CGM devices only some weeks ago and I've ordered a MiaoMiao2 that will be delivered to me tomorrow, so now I'm trying to know how it works and you're answering to all the questions that I had through your videos! Thank you so much for what you're doing, greetings from a neighbour of yours from Tyrol.
Thank you, so much, for all your help!!
Thank you for this video, much appreciated (found it from your live Q&A)! Will use all your tips, do a more accurate overall Libre sensor calibration.
I'm only on my 2nd Libre sensor. After realising I was getting consistent sensor readings lower than blood glucose meters (from checking the sensor hypo events, etc), lol, I also found out that one of my blood glucose meters (of 3) was consistently reading too high (Contour Next One). Thankfully the Freestyle Libre reader (using test strips) and One touch Verio are usually very close in readings. Eg, Contour 7.0, Verio 5.4, FS Libre 5.5 (mmol/L). 7 mins earlier, Libre sensor was 4.2 (& stayed between 4.0 - 4.4 next hr 20min).
Thank you for sharing. I am glad you found this video helpful! Happy holidays!
Thanks Tom. You and your family have a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year. Looking forward to your next video. Keep up the good work.
Thank you so much Kevin! Wishing you and you family happy holidays as well. Stay safe!
Wow, I’ve been a type1 for over a decade.. this was very informative. You’ve gained a new follower, thank you!!
Glad it was helpful! Welcome to the team!
Just started the Libre 3 today and was freaking out about how off it was; after 2 hours it is settling in and I suspect it will level out shortly. Great video, thank you! 😊
New to this and love your videos!
Very good information for a new user of libre
You are awesome thank you. Just subscribed and binge watching your playlists haha.
Welcome aboard!
good info thank you from anorth East Texas👍🏼
Thanks great help 👍
This is so informative (and funny!). Tried of my Libres being so off - to be expected with a new one for the first few days but it is getting ridiculous - after a week on - still can be 50 points too high off. Makes me look bad to my endo. It is almost like why bother for such an expensive device if I have to check against blood so much. :( I LOLd at the 3 year lancet comment (*goes and changes lancet*). I think I will giving the Miao Miao a try.
Cool, thankfully mostly reasonable logical things i was already sort of following.
One more calibration tip from me: The most important thing to calibrate against for me: My Hypo perception. I usually feel these below 70, so when i feel a hypo coming and the libre still says e.g. 80, (or vice-versa: it says 60 and i don't feel anything), I know i should recalibrate (as soon as i am stable and in range again)
Great tip! Thank you for sharing Florian. Wishing you happy holidays! Take care!
I found your video to be extremely interesting and informative. I have one question when you do the calibration does it change the sensor so if I use the freestyle libre reader will the reader provide calibrated readings or is the adjustment occur only in the Tomato app? Also I noticed that you had the Miao Miao transmitter on the sensor, does it need to remain there after calibration?
Hello, thank you soo much for your efforts, please I have a question how we can do a calibration on diabox app ?
Brilliant vido, thank you so much. I have had a difference of 103 points tonight, my Freestyle CGM was 107 and my actual Glucose Meter reading was 210 !!! I'm scared as I relied on my CGM in these past two weeks almost exclusively, so I'm definitely interested in calibration. My question for you is... does calibration works with Free Style Libre 3 as well? Thank you so much again, your videos are just amazing.
thank
Thnx for the videos!
Glad you like them! Thanks for the sub. Have a great evening!
Thanks!
You are most welcome! Thank you for your kind support!
Hello Tom, I'm a recently diagnosed T1D as a result of an illness and my medical providers seem lost with regards to diabetes. Thank you for making these video's, you are awesome! I'm currently wearing my free sample Libre3 and I've been thinking, "this thing is worthless". But, this video about calibration is a game-changer. I'm completely puzzled how this is not a built-in function!
Hi Tom, I am going to give the MiaoMiao a try. I have had quite a few issues with the Libe 2 readings. I would get woke up with a low reading alarm and test with blood to find out the difference was 40 points higher. I have been double reading, (CGM and Blood) closest is approx 15 points. I want more accuracy and hope this will give me that option. A1C on the decline too.
Denise, How did MiaoMiao work out for you on closing the gap in the readings ?
Sounds like you were laying on the sensor. It's quite a common issue with the sensors apparently, and happened to me twice my first week with one on (last week) l.
@@Ianforcements5669 I just read that people are reporting critical lows even without compression with Libre 2.
Thanks so much for explanation! I’ll keep this video and see it till I completely understand everything. Ha ha ha !, It was very funny when you talked about lancets and expired strips 🤣🤣
Thank you for your kind words! I am glad you found it funny. Could luck with calibration!
@@TypeOneTalks no, thank you for your kind and clear explanation!! I’m applying almost everything and tomato is working really good 😌
Hey Tom, Awesome videos! We are using the libre 3 on our dog and i want to know if i can get the mg scale up to 500 is this possible
Hi Tom, i just started with libre and activated well.. after couple of readings between 4 to 5 hours, reader shows that "sensor end" not sure why..any advise ? thanks
Hi, im new to this kind of monitoring, my endocrinologist gave me the Freestyle Libre 2, are those easy to caliber?, the reading is like 20 off below, also do you know a compatible transmitter for that device?, Thank you
I just got my Libre 3 and I did a spot check to see how close the blood glucose readings were as compared to my meter. My meter said 142 but the Libre said 119. I don't like that difference as I think it is too much. Especially since I am a T2/Insulin dependent. I believe that the Libre uses BT to transmit so why would Ineed to get another transmitter? If another app is suppose to help calibrate it should have software in the app to read the Libre 3 as well. I do know they have an API and I have been thinking of doing my own app or add it to my own personal diabetes app.
Hi,
Can you confirm for me, is this re-calibrating the sensor itself (so all apps will now read correctly) or calibrating Tomato to sensor (so only Tomato will register correctly)?
I've been given a Libre and it consistently reads low, however I need to use the official Libre app as I've got the device linked to my diabetes care team through Libreview.
Do you have to leave the Miao Miao thing on after you calibrate? My Freestyle Libre is really off but i don’t want to have to wear that other thing in addition to the sensor
Hello. Between the two meters which is more accurate?
Anyone knows how to do it in the DiaBox app? I went to the webpage they enter 2 values. But in my version it give me only a rule. And after one point calibration then the reading of the buble mini set the factory value again.
What is art the bottom of those sensors? Is it a needle? Or do you need to have something implanted over which the circular sensor needs to be placed?
When calibrating, do you leave 15mins between glucose test and inputting into the tomato app? Just wondering because of the 15 minute delay from Libre sensor? I probably just being dumb lol
Hello Tom I'm in USA we used mg/dl I would like to change mg/dl to mmol/L or a1c percent number is there a way to do it ??
Hi Tom could you please do a Video on how to set up and connect a Watlaa Watch to a Bubble please, I have both devices but I'm struggling with setting them up, and a Video on how to do this would be more easier for me and I'm sure other people to understand 😊
Hi Lee. Thank you for the tip on a future video. Currently, I do not ha a Watlee Watch but I will definitely consider this in the future. Wishing you and your family happy holidays!
My issues is sometimes it’s accurate sometimes it’s not. So I wouldn’t even know how much to calibrate it. I don’t have time to do this. Is dexcom g6 more reliable?
Can you place a freestyle Libre 2 on your scalp?
Is it possible to calibrate also the Libre3?
Hi Tom, I recently discovered your channel, your videos are fantastic ... is it possible to have subtitles in Italian? Ciao 🤗👍
Hi Chiara. Thank you so much for your kind words. Unfortunately I am not able to produce such subtitles since I do not speak Italian. If you knew someone who would be willing to do this please do let me know! Wishing you a great evening!
Question- Both Abbott and Dexcom say that fingersticks are not necessary. It appears that these devices are far from perfect. How often do you calibrate? Every day? twice a day? Only on insertion?
Hi Tom I watched the vid to the end, i'm new to this, i didn't see how to "factory reset" the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day Reader. Not going to calibrate, not familiar enough.
Totally understand. I appreciate the calibration feature does not work for everyone because it's a DIY solution that has it's risk. Stay safe my friend!
Please, help.
Does the last calibration on certain BG affect on different BG sensor data/values which were calibrated previosly?
If yes, this means that last calibration "shifts" all BG data/values (even that were calibrated previosly), and there's "subquestion":
What's the point of calibrating sensor on different BGs?
Thanks.
I am not sure if I fully understand the question. Could you please clarify?
My sensor readings are 30 points higher than finger stick. I stopped taking Vit c (an interfering substance) but still take olive leaf extract would that be causing the higher reading?
I think this is very individual. Can't really say...
Does it work with Libre2?
Just got the fsl2 for my husband who is not diabetic but is on tpn and is npo and the difference between glucometer and the libre is huge at times ? Is it because he can’t drink water
Might be. He might want to try to drink more. Let's see if that helps... Good luck and welcome to the Loibre team!
My Libre is out of range 90% of the time and when it is in the green, it is always a spike after eating a meal with carbs. So, can I not calibrate because my Libre is always out of range? Every replacement sensor they have sent me is always too low by 45-66 points less than my finger prick, way out of the 20% margin or error range.
Bro for real I just ran through like 3 sensors it’s annoying af
I think I am not understanding. With the Miao Miao or Tomato transmitters, to you have to insert it in your arm like you do the Freestyle Libre? Is it instead of, or in addition to the Freestyle Libre Sensor?
I have a full review of Miao Miao 1 and 2 on my channel where I explain step by step how to apply/insert the sensor and transmitter. Please feel free to check it out. Hope this helps!
If you have a Freestyle 2 do you need the bubble. I am still waiting in Australia for Freestyle 2 and dont want to buy a bubble for the Freestyle 1 if Freestyle 2 will come to Australia soon.
For calibration I believe you need a transmitter. You get alarms on Libre 2 but you can not calibrate it. Hope this helps!
Hi Tom does this also work for the FSL 2 Sensor? Thanks again for the great video!
Yes. This should work for all Libre models that MiaoMiao works with, including FSL2. Thanks for watching and you are most welcome! Was nice to see you in the live stream yesterday my friend! Stay safe!
@@TypeOneTalks Dude you are doing great stuff. Keep it going it is so nice to know that I’m not alone in this. Was diagnosed 5 months ago but they cannot determine what type have this due to a pancreas defect. Again thanks and keep it up! Regards, Narish
So - I don't have diabetes, but have problems w/ hypoglycemia. I'm not believing the readings I'm getting from my FreeStyle Libre 14-day sensor - they are ridiculously low. So I'll have to do some fingerpricks I'm squeamish about breaking the skin for some reason - this is new, I used to be able to do at-home blood testing years ago. The squeamishness coincides w/ onset of other health issues (new allergies /MCAS, sicca, neuropathy, dysautonomia). I also have some rational reasons for not liking it - sometimes having wound healing issues (how do diabetics deal with that?) & sometimes increased bleeding time. Anyway, my big question is - I expect the stress around doing the fingerprick will jack up my blood sugar - how do I account for that?
Why does Abbott not allow us to calibrate if it’s a problem not calibrating? Medtronics CGM forces you to do it 4 times a day and that CGM was really bad! I was happy that Libre3 did not require calibration.
Can I smoke during calibration? Can I sleep?
I don't have a transmitter, but i calibrate with glimp app, i scan my libre sensor with glimp so i could calibrate it.
Hi Maleeka. Thank you for sharing. Good tip! Wishing you and your family happy holidays!
Also how to calibrate using the reader it comes with I don’t use a phone app
It is not possible to calibrate using only the reader.
Calibrate Libre 3
hi how can i reset the tester to clear the previous data?
Yes. It is mentioned to the end of the video. Hope this helps! Good luck!
thank you! Sir
@@printingshop6065 You’re welcome !
Why do you use tomato and not Xdrip? You find it better?
I have an iPhone and xDrip+ is an android only app. The xDrip version for IOS is not great. I also flirt with Spike but still need to learn more about it. Tomato is an easy option for me. Not complicated installation and functions. Hope this helps!
XDrip+ for android is exactly the same as Spike for iPhone.
Yes, getting and setting up Spike is complicated, but the Facebook group will gladly guide you through the install.
Worth your time!!
Tomato app is garbage, it smooths your graph FAR too much.
Tomato uses a LOT of battery. We switched to xDrip4iOS when Tomato had ~12-hour downtime and haven't looked back. WebOOP+recalibration setting gives us the most accurate readings. MM2+FSL2.
Can you make a video of when and how to calibrate your freestyle libre 2? Thanks
Thank you for the tip!
Is the coupon still good? Doesn’t seem to be letting me enter a coupon.
Yes. It should still work. You can use this coupon code if you see any issues. FRIEND-XP66DV2
Abbott should allow us to calibrate within the app. Surely that would increase the accuracy
Good video. But sounded like a comedy show with all the Tomatoes, meow meows, spikes, and libre names. 😂
Don't you calibrate Libre 2 by using a freestyle test strip in the Libre 2?
Unfortunately, your accurate meter recommendation was out of date as soon as you made it.
The Accu-Chek Aviva Plus from Roche was discontinued at the end of 2020 (at least in Europe) and this was announced in September...
A quick Google says that the "Ascensia Contour Next One Glucometer" offers +/- 8.4% accuracy and appears to be the best available today.
Thank you for the update and my apologies for any outdated recommendations!
@@TypeOneTalks No worries! It would have been easy to miss.
Thanks for the great channel!
@@kmclellan7149 You're welcome!
I thought these cgms gives you readings every 1 min and then stores all info for only up to 8 hours but mine seems to only give me the readings when i scan it and that it nothing more if i only scan i once every 7 to 8 hours if will only show the info for one time I scanned??? If i scanned it twice then it will only show the two reading that i took??This is not what i thought this does i thought i was getting a constant reading up to 8 hours of storage....!!! And scan was just to transfer information so Either i got faulty device or if this is how this works i will go to another brand!! Because im already not liking freestyle 2 if this is the case
I feel like tearing my Freestyle Libre 2 Meter apart and seeing if I can calibrate the stupid thing somehow. It is never accurate compared to a normal glucometer and often times off by as much as 10-50 points. If I view the log it is full of errors.
I have not iPhone I have android mobile and this is not supported
Get a dexcom 7
it sounds like "but wait you want to make it like it's an all in pick event". (what the hell does that mean??? 6:01 to 6:06
Actually, I see how to attach the Miao Miao. But once you do, how do you actually do the calibration?
I believe I explained how to do the actual calibration to the end of the video. Please check it out.
Far too complicated for me, this is the big weakness of the libre. Is why I do not like it, day one not reliable, I find the same for day 14, so with all the fingersticks I do with libre, I wonder why I even use it.
Likely when my two two remaining sensors are used up I will put it away until the system improves .
This product, adapted for Libre3, could have prevented a lot of pissed off users from quitting the Libre3 because of increased inaccuracies and lack of calibration options.
Why are you calibrating the ISF sugar levels to the blood or Venous sugar levels? There are so many articles discussing the difference between the ISF ;evels, as measured by tghe Libre, and the blood sugar levels, measured by taking a drop of blood andusing a glucometer. Which is correct? Which one shoul dbe followed? The blood sugar reacts fast. The ISF level tells you how the body is processing the sugar. This is a not an easy problem to resolve and you can make yourself crazy trybig to resolve the issue. As for xDrip and the other software packages, they are good. But if you want something approved by the FDA or CE, remember, none of them have received FDA or CE approval. As such, I personally would not use them to track my blood sugar levels. Truth be told, I would love to hear a discussion from the author of this presentation on the differences between ISF readings and blood sugar readings using a glucometer and let him explain the reason why the numbers do not agree.
For me the answer to your question is that the Libre sensor is consistently giving lower readings. When it shows hypo events, I need to check in 15 min blocks anyway with blood glucose meter, if I treat with carbs. So if the sensor says I'm in a hypo, I do a blood glucose test first anyway (set a baseline). And that was when I realised, after many sensor recordings of "hypo" events, plus too low glucose levels to drive legally (therefore double checked), the sensor was inaccurate, consistently giving too low readings.
@ Kaz Oz: I could not agree more on this one!
Mine says 54 and its at 136.. freestyle Libre sucks
The one big falicy you make is the Blood glucose meter is not accurate.
Tip after tip....blah, blah... I want to learn how to calibrate my app.
You didn’t say actually HOW to calibrate it!!! You only have tips for correct and accurate calibration which is great but HOW?? Thank you anyway. Blessings
I call it more of a curse or a sentence.
You are so handsome. Jus sayin. 😍
I know this video is two years old. I was hoping these CGMs would improve by now. I’m doing libre 2 (I have type two) to really be able to see what different foods do to my blood sugar. I don’t feel like I can depend on any of these measurements. The CGM sensor seems (pleasantly) low, but the blood meter seems too high. I have no idea how I’m doing. Why can’t we count on any of these? I guess I won’t know for sure until I get a regular A1C from the lab. I don’t know how you people with type 1 can deal with these meters being 10-20-30 points off (even when I use the same drop of blood to test) when you have to take insulin. I really feel bad for you.
Freesyle Libre 2 vs Dexcom 6 ? Quite simply there's NO comaprison. The Decom CGM WINS HANDS DOWN !!!! I simply cannot belive how Abbott can design and sell such a flawed device at such an exhorbitant price!! I use the Dexcom G6 and my partner uses the Freestyle Libre 2. The Libre just told her she had a reading of 2.7 mmols. So she did a finger stick test with a result of 10.1 how can this device be so incredibly inaccurate!! Gee the Dexcom app allows you to calibrate if it's a bit out - this works abosulety brilliant. Her Libre 2 refuses to automatically show her readings on her phone. Every time she needs to check her BG she has to physically hold her phone to the sensor on her arm. Absolue BS!!!!!!!!! Abbott your device is being trashed!!!!!!
I've played your audio over and over and I can't understand what you are saying.from 6:01 to 6:05. this is extremely frustrating playing your audio stream over and over so many times. PLEASE stop trying to emphasize something when you do that it is completely in incoherent. You must realize you have a strong accent and emphasizing only messes it up.
20 minutes wasted
too much talk, get to the point