Expert CGM Insights: FAQ

Your Expert CGM Insight package comes with a cover to go over your sensor. You don't have to use this if you prefer not to. Your sensor is designed to be used without a cover and still be water-resistant.

However, we recommend using the cover because it can protect the sensor against knocks, clothing snags and water-intrusion.

Our covers have been specifically designed to be comfortable for extended wear. They're hypoallergenic, use medical-grade adhesive, latex- and oxide-free, breathable, sweat-proof and water-proof.

A key part of your Expert CGM Insights experience is to do Glucose Challenge. This is a metabolic "stress test" and gives important insights into your metabolic health.

We recommend waiting until at least 24 hours after applying your CGM before doing your Glucose Challenge. This is to allow your sensor time to equilibrate fully. It's also sensible to do the challenge in the first week of usage just in case you forget to do it before the sensor expires.

You'll generally do the Challenge in the morning as you need to be fasted for at least 9 hours at the start. Please also avoid exercise before or during the challenge.

Most people find this easiest to do at home but there's nothing specific to stop you from doing it while you're at work.

For full details of what's involved with the oral glucose challenge please see our Glucose Challenge Guide.

Your Freestyle Libre CGM is designed to last 14 days. However, in our experience we have found that sometimes CGM sensors may stop one or two days early. Your app will alert you when the sensor has stopped.

For the purpose of getting insights into your metabolic health, 10 to 14 days of glucose data is generally sufficient.

The Freestlyle Libre CGM sensor doesn't require any external calibrations. It will go through a self-calibration procedure for an hour when you first apply it.

Although the Abbot Freestyle Libre is clinically-validated for use immediately after the one-hour calibration period, glucose readings will generally become more accurate after the first 24 hours. This is due to continued equilibration between the sensor and it's physiological environment.

Yes, your FreeStyle Libre CGM is water-proof and can be used while swimming, showering or exercising.

However, please note that the manufacturer recommend that you don't take your sensor deeper than 3 feet underwater and you limit continuous water immersion to 30min at a time.

Although your sensor is waterproof, over time water exposure can result in its adhesive edge coming unstuck and your sensor becoming loose. One way to minimise the risk of this happening is to wear the cover we provide in your package.

If your sensor does become loose or comes off before about 10 days of use, then we recommend replacing it with a new one. Please contact Abbot Customer Care on 0800 170 1177 or use their online support form and they will send you a replacement sensor directly.

Yes, you can wear your Freestyle Libre CGM in a hot-tub or sauna or even in an ice-bath.

However, it's worth bearing in mind that the operating temperature of the CGM sensor is 10^oC to 45^oC. Outside of this range you will get an error indicating "Glucose Reading Unavailable" The sensor will provide readings again when the temperature is back in range.

Secondly, body temperature has a direct affect on your glucose metabolism. For example, hot tubs and saunas may well cause your glucose levels to rise. This is "physiological" and not something to be concerned about.

Although you can get some discomfort for a short period when you first apply the sensor, most of the time you will not even notice it.

If you have persistent discomfort after applying the sensor then we recommend removing it. Sometimes you a sensor can cause discomfort if it's directly over the triceps muscle rather than in a fattier part of your arm.

Skin irritation from the sensor or cover adhesive can sometimes occur. If skin irritation is really bothering you then we recommend removing the sensor and/or cover. It would be sensible to wait a few days before trying a new sensor and avoid placing it in the same location as your previous sensor.

Very rarely, you can experience a small amount of bleeding when the sensor is first inserted. This usually stops on it's own and you don't need to take an action. However, if it continues then please remove the sensor and contact Abbot for a replacement.

If you had to remove a sensor because of discomfort or skin irritation but would like to try again, please contact Abbot Customer Care on 0800 170 1177 or use their online support form and they will send you a replacement sensor directly.

If your sensor comes off fully or is dislodged then don't try to replace it. You will generally get an error from the app anyway to inform you that the sensor can no longer be used.

If you've done 10 days or so with your sensor and don't intend to continue with another then you may want to end your programme.

If you've done less than 10 days or intend to carry on with another sensor then please contact Abbot Customer Care on 0800 170 1177 or use their online support form and they will send you a replacement sensor directly.

It is not uncommon to get a "Sensor error" message in your app from time-to-time. In the vast majority of cases, these resolve on their own after a few hours. Just follow any instructions in your app and do not remove the sensor.

If you get a persistent sensor error that doesn't resolve after a few hours then please contactAbbot Customer Care on 0800 170 1177 or use their online support form. Do not remove the sensor before you've spoken to them. If necessary, Abbot will send you a replacement sensor directly.

When your sensor has expired you'll get a message in your app. You can of course remove it sooner if you wish.

First, remove the cover if you're using one. Then just peel the adhesive edge away from your skin like you would a plaster. Once removed, throw the sensor in the bin.

If you're having any difficulty with the adhesive or have delicate skin, you could apply some baby oil or vegetable oil to the skin around the sensor for 5 to 10 minutes before removing it.