Can You Reuse FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensors If They Fall Off?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not FreeStyle Libre sensors can be reused, and other questions about the CGM.
I have a few questions. 1. Can I remove and reapply the same FreeStyle sensor? 2. Where can I learn how to connect Libre to my phone? Is it difficult to do for seniors? 3. Where can I obtain literature comparing the accuracy of the Libre 3 to other glucose monitoring devices? Thank you so much for this free service. I really appreciate it. Have a blessed day.
Dec 06, 2022- FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors are designed for single use and should not be reused if they fall off or are removed early. Reusing a sensor may result in inaccurate glucose readings, skin irritation, infection, or no readings at all. Contact Abbott Customer Service at 1-855-632-8658 if your sensor falls off, as they typically replace sensors that come off early.
Answer
You're most welcome! We love answering questions and helping out our readers with drug and pharmacy-related topics.
On to your questions!
Can You Remove And Reapply The Same FreeStyle Libre Sensor?
No, you should not remove and reapply the same sensor. This answer is the same for when a sensor falls off. The sensors are designed for single use.
If a sensor falls off or is otherwise removed before the full wear period, the manufacturer states you should not reuse it. Apply a new sensor and contact the manufacturer. There are a number of reasons for this:
- A reused sensor may not be as accurate at reading your glucose numbers anymore
- You increase the risk of skin irritation or even infection
Per Abbott (the manufacturer):
Contact Customer Service if your Sensor becomes loose or falls off before the end of the wear period. Customer Service is available at 1-855-632-8658 7 Days a Week from 8AM to 8PM Eastern Standard Time. Do not reuse Sensors. The Sensor and Sensor Applicator are designed for single use. Reuse may result in no glucose readings and infection. Not suitable for re-sterilization. Further exposure to irradiation may cause unreliable low results.
In my experience, Abbott has been very good about replacing sensors that fall off early or have to be removed early for any reason. I highly recommend calling them so they can take care of you.
I also recommend heading over to the Freestyle Libre website for recommendations on how to best apply sensors.
Additionally, if you have had issues keeping sensors on in the past, an over-bandage can be used to help keep it in place. Just make sure the bandage does not cover the opening/hole in the center of the sensor.
Where Do You Learn How To Connect Your FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor To Your Phone?
The manufacturer has plenty of resources that can help you.
Their main support page has plenty of videos that show all aspects of set-up and use and can be found here.
I also have found these three resources particularly helpful:
In regard to how difficult it is to connect your sensors to your smartphone, that will obviously vary per person.
If you aren't tech-savvy, it may be a little more difficult, but Abbott does provide great resources. I personally recommend using the 'interactive tutorial'.
If you are finding it difficult, a representative of Abbott can help walk you through it on the phone. You could also stop into your local pharmacy for assistance.
Where Can You Obtain Literature On The Accuracy Of The FreeStyle Libre 3?
Abbott has released marketing materials and references that support their accuracy numbers. One such announcement states:
Unsurpassed 14-day accuracy — The FreeStyle Libre 3 system has a mean absolute relative difference (MARD), a measurement of performance for CGMs, of 9.2% for adults. This latest tech and FreeStyle Libre 2 are the only CGM sensors sustaining a high level of accuracy over 14 days.
Their resource for this claim is based on a 2020 study, that can be found here. Additionally, an analysis of this study was completed and published in an article found here.
Several other studies have also demonstrated the accuracy of the FreeStyle Libre 3 system.
One such study, titled, 76-LB: Performance of FreeStyle Libre 3 System, published in the journal Diabetes, found MARD values of 7.6% for adults (people ages 18 and up) and 8.7% for children ages 6-17.
By the way, just to define what 'MARD' is, it stands for 'mean absolute relative difference' and is a benchmark data point used when comparing continuous glucose meters. It is a measure of the error between what your meter reads and the actual blood glucose value (sometimes referred to as the 'reference' value). The smaller the value here, the better.
Final Words
I hope you found this helpful! Reach back out anytime.
References & sources
- FreeStyle Libre 3: World's Smallest Sensor is Here — Abbott
- LATE-BREAKING DATA DEMONSTRATE ABBOTT'S FREESTYLE LIBRE® 3 SYSTEM IS MOST ACCURATE 14-DAY CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR — Abbott
- 76-LB: Performance of FreeStyle Libre 3 System — Diabetes Journal
- Accuracy of FreeStyle Libre in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: The Effect of Sensor Age — PubMed
- Accuracy of a 14-Day Factory-Calibrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring System With Advanced Algorithm in Pediatric and Adult Population With Diabetes — PubMed
- Analysis of “Accuracy of a 14-Day Factory Calibrated Continuous Glucose Monitoring System With Advanced Algorithm in Pediatric and Adult Population With Diabetes” — Sage Journals
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Glucose
- A type of sugar in your blood that your body uses for energy.
- Sensor
- A small wearable device that measures and monitors glucose levels in your body.
- Skin irritation
- Redness, itching, or inflammation of the skin, often caused by friction or contact with irritating substances.
- CGM
- Continuous glucose monitor, a device that tracks blood sugar levels throughout the day and night.
- MARD
- Mean absolute relative difference, a measurement that shows how accurate a glucose meter is by comparing its readings to actual blood sugar values.
- Re-sterilization
- The process of cleaning and disinfecting a medical device so it can be used again safely.
- Reference value
- The true or actual blood glucose measurement used as a standard to compare against meter readings.
- Irradiation
- Exposure to radiation, often used to sterilize medical devices.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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