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I’m really trying hard to keep better tabs on my sugar. I am thinking about trying one of these to really try and see what foods really trigger my spikes and such. For those that have these, which is your preferred brand? I know there are several out there, just not sure why maybe one vs the other. Gotta go back to the doc in about a month and thinking about asking her to write me a script for one. Thanks all!
I have a Freestyle Libre 3, which is the newest version. (had the 2 before) I'm type 1, but for what you're wanting that doesn't matter. It works great and is about the size of a nickel. App on your phone tells you what your BG is at all times and has alarms for high and low.
I use the libre freestyle 14 day it works well for what I need. It only requires you to scan it with the app to give you a reading. Dexcom sensors do real time monitoring with alerts but they require the sensor/transmitter to stay connected to the phone via bluetooth. The problem with that is you have to stay within 20ish ft of the phone at all times. If it disconnects you have to wait for it to reconnect then provide you with the reading. For being on the boat the libre freestyle is where its at. One thing to consider is insurance, they might require you to use one brand over the other. Also look into goodRX for discounts if you cant get them covered by insurance.
I use the freestyle libre 14 day through the company Levels. It costs $200 per month and $200 per year for the membership and app. The wife was able to take the prescritpion from levels to the pharmacy and our insurance pays most of it so it only costs $70 per month now. She is pre diabetic, I am neither pre or diabetic so not sure if I will get the same treatment on costs. I have had issues with a couple bad sensors, but they were replaced at no charge.
It's worth spending some time on the Levelshealth.com website. They have lots of videos and reading material on the subject.
Some things that I have learned is how many "healthy" foods spike my glucose. Also, when I eat meals that spike my glucose or eat unhealthy in general, like a pizza and icecream, my glucose levels are very spikey for several days and even at night while I sleep. It even affects meals that normally don't spike my glucose levels.
Also, you see how exercise affects the meals. Just simply walking has a dramatic affect.
So far for me I have learned that icecream after a high protein meal isn't so bad. But if I just look at bread at any part of the meal it spikes me. And ketchup may also be an issue for me.
Happy to answer any questions
The new Libre 3 is real time and doesn't require you to hold your phone against it to get a reading. I always thought it was dumb that you had to do that with the old one when it already knew what your levels were in order to alarm when they were high or low. Yes, it will disconnect at times but you don't have do to anything for it to reconnect. It happens almost instantly as soon as it's in range. My phone is almost always in my pocket, so this has never been an issue for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gsmith223
I have used both, buy currently use the Dexcom 6. I personally like the sharing feature of Dexcom. Which ever one you decide, still check with fingersticks because both can give bad readings. I have seen my Dexcom be off by 100.
Thank you all for the information. Good stuff here to read up on.
I used the Dexcom for 3 months, I guess it did alright. Sometimes it would get a little crazy towards the end of 7 days.