Freestyle Libre trend arrows for the management of adults with insulin-treated diabetes: A practical approach

J Diabetes Complications. 2019 Jan;33(1):6-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2018.10.012. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Abstract

Freestyle Libre (FSL) system is a new method to detect glucose enabling a new paradigm in glucose monitoring and self-management. The sensor, reading the interstitial fluid glucose concentration, provides a numerical data of glucose level and a trend arrow that add context to static measurement of glucose level. Therefore, patients could easily follow the progression of their glucose levels over the time, allowing early detection and timely treatment of deviations from targeted glucose level range, thus preventing extreme fluctuations. In order to take full advantage of the system both the caregiver and the person with diabetes must appreciate the need of careful interpretation of the data generated by the FSL. To this purpose we have generated recommendations that are based on methods suggested for CGM, our clinical experience and discussion with experienced patients using FSL, to provide a pragmatic approach to use FSL trend arrow data for managing diabetes in adults.

Keywords: Diabetes management; Flash glucose monitoring; Freestyle Libre; Insulin dose adjustment; Trend arrows.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / adverse effects
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / methods
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / drug therapy*
  • Extracellular Fluid / chemistry
  • Glucose / analysis
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Insulin / administration & dosage
  • Patient Education as Topic / methods*
  • Patient Education as Topic / standards
  • Self Care / instrumentation
  • Self-Management / education*

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Insulin
  • Glucose