No, FreeStyle Libre does not require finger-prick calibration. However, a finger-prick test using a blood glucose meter is required in the following situations:

• During times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels.
• If hypoglycemia or impending hypoglycemia is reported by the system.
• When symptoms do not match FreeStyle Libre readings.

Yes, the FreeStyle Libre automatically captures readings day and night, so that glucose variations can be seen throughout the day — including nighttime lows — as long as the sensor is replaced at least every 14 days and scanned at least once every 8 hours.

With each scan over the sensor, the reader displays: the current glucose reading, the latest 8 hours of glucose history and where glucose levels are heading.

ISF is the fluid around the cells of your tissue below your skin. Glucose can freely move from your blood vessels to this fluid¹, making it a reasonable alternative to blood for measuring glucose. Changes in blood glucose take about 5-10 minutes (“lag time”) to be reflected in ISF glucose.² However, this is unlikely to impact routine day-to-day treatment decisions. The average lag time of the FreeStyle Libre system is approximately 5 minutes.³ This is why ISF glucose and blood glucose measurements taken at the same time won’t always match – and in fact – are likely to be different.

1. Rebrin K, Steil GM. Can interstitial glucose assessment replace blood glucose measurements? Diabetes Technol Ther 2000;2(3):461-72.
2. Rebrin K, Sheppard NF Jr, Steil GM. Use of subcutaneous interstitial fluid glucose to estimate blood glucose: revisiting delay and sensor offset. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2010;4(5):1087-98.
3. Data on file, Abbott, Clinical Report: Evaluation of the Accuracy of the Abbott Sensor-Based Interstitial Glucose Monitoring System 2014.

No, it can easily be applied without the need for a doctor or nurse — an applicator makes it simple to replace the sensor.

The portion of the sensor that is inserted under the skin is less than 0.4 mm wide and is inserted only about 5 mm under the skin.

The sensor is 5 mm in height and 35 mm in diameter — about the size of a toonie.

One second.

The sensor automatically measures glucose levels every minute and stores readings every 15 minutes.

When the sensor is scanned, the sensor automatically transmits 8 hours of data.

A sensor lasts up to 14 days before needing to be replaced.

Each time the sensor is scanned, it automatically transmits data from the last minute, even if that data has not yet been stored.

Yes, the FreeStyle Libre sensor is designed to be water-resistant in up to 1 metre (3 feet) of water. We recommend it not be immersed longer than 30 minutes.

While wearing the sensor, users generally won’t feel anything under the skin. In a clinical user experience study, over 90 % of participants did not feel discomfort under the skin while wearing the sensor.

The reader can be up to 4 cm away from the sensor and still capture data.

The reader stores up to 90 days of glucose information.

Yes, the reader can get a glucose reading through clothing with a thickness of up to 4 cm.

The FreeStyle Libre reader is designed to be used only with the FreeStyle Precision blood glucose and blood ketone test strips and MediSense control solution.

As of September 16, 2019, the FreeStyle Libre system is reimbursed by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program for qualifying Ontario residents who manage their diabetes with insulin.

The coverage will include both the FreeStyle Libre system sensors and reader.

If you qualify for ODB and you manage your diabetes with insulin, you are eligible for public reimbursement of the FreeStyle Libre system. Please speak with your healthcare professional (including your pharmacist) to determine if the FreeStyle Libre system is right for you.

More information about who is covered by the ODB program is available on the Ontario Drug Benefit website.

If you’re over the age of 18 and currently using insulin, you may qualify for coverage. Please speak to your prescribing physician to determine if you qualify.

The FreeStyle Libre system sensors is covered by RAMQ as of July 10, 2019. Your prescribing physician needs to submit the application for coverage with RAMQ. Applications for public coverage will require up to 25 business days for processing. Your pharmacist can also provide additional information about coverage under RAMQ.

If you qualify for coverage under RAMQ, you will receive reimbursement for a three-month period to determine if the FreeStyle Libre system is right for you. Requests for further coverage can be made through your prescribing physician. To help ensure you receive uninterrupted coverage, follow-up with your healthcare provider before the initial three-month coverage period ends.

The app has the same indications for use as the FreeStyle Libre system. The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system and FreeStyle LibreLink app (“App”), when used with the FreeStyle Libre sensor, are indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older with diabetes mellitus. If you are using the FreeStyle LibreLink app, you must also have access to a blood glucose monitoring system as the app does not provide one. Always read and follow the label/insert.

Android:

After you’ve applied a FreeStyle Libre sensor to the back of your upper arm, open the app and hold the back of your Android phone near (exact distance will vary by phone) the FreeStyle Libre sensor to scan it. The size and location of the Near-Field Communication (NFC) antenna in Android phones vary by make and model, so you may have to move the phone around to find the best position for scanning the FreeStyle Libre sensor. Once you have found the optimal scan position, wait for the app to produce two distinct tones or vibrations before you move the phone away from the FreeStyle Libre sensor. The first tone indicates the phone’s Near-Field Communication (NFC) has recognized the sensor. The second tone indicates the scan is complete.

iPhone:

After you’ve applied a FreeStyle Libre sensor to the back of your upper arm, open the app and tap one of the scan buttons within the app to put the iPhone in a scan-ready state. There are two types of scan buttons – a blue button on the Home screen and a grey scan icon in the top right corner of most screens. Hold the top edge of your iPhone near the sensor and do not move your iPhone until you hear a tone and/or feel a vibration, which indicates the scan is complete.

You may or may not have to remove your phone case – it depends on the material that the case is made from, how thick the case is, and how well your phone’s Near-Field Communication (NFC) antenna works. If your phone case is made from plastic or silicone or another non-conductive material, you will probably be able to scan the sensor without removing the case. If the case is aluminum, metal or anything else that has a conductive surface, you may need to remove the case before scanning your sensor. The thickness of the case can also make a difference. If your case is very thick, it could prevent the phone from scanning the sensor.

There’s no need to use a separate glucose meter for routine testing.* The app allows you to get glucose results as often as you like by simply scanning your FreeStyle Libre sensor with your phone.

However, a finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels, if hypoglycemia or impending hypoglycemia is reported by the sensor, or when symptoms do not match the sensor readings.

No. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is intended to be used with only one sensor (and one person) at a time. Each app account is associated with one person. However, people who use the FreeStyle LibreLink app can connect with their loved ones if they are using a separate app called LibreLinkUp.^‡ The LibreLinkUp app allows loved ones to remotely monitor glucose readings.

Yes. People with diabetes can use FreeStyle Libre sensors with the app to better understand the impact of actions like eating, exercise, and taking insulin based on their glucose levels. They can also make day-to-day therapy decisions when using the app with a FreeStyle Libre sensor, including insulin dosing decisions, based on guidance from their healthcare professional.

Yes. If you use an Android phone, you may need to go to your phone’s settings and reactivate NFC when your phone is in airplane mode. You can scan with your iPhone in airplane mode by tapping one of the scan buttons in the app to put it in a scan-ready state. Do not scan your sensor if restricted by flight regulations.

WiFi or a mobile data connection are only required for initial app setup (downloading/installing the app, creating an account, or signing in) and sharing your glucose information with your care team or with other connected apps. The app does not require a WiFi or mobile data connection to scan your sensor or to record your current glucose readings. During periods when your phone is operating in a disconnected state, your data will only be uploaded to LibreView after a WiFi or mobile data connection is restored.

No, the FreeStyle LibreLink app is meant to be used as often as you like and should not have a noticeable effect on battery life beyond your normal usage patterns.

If your phone battery dies, charge your phone to continue using the FreeStyle LibreLink app. Your data will not be lost if the phone battery dies and you can scan the sensor while the phone is being charged.

No. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is not supported on rooted Android phones or jailbroken iPhones.

After installing the FreeStyle LibreLink app, tap Sign In. Then, tap Forgot Password. Enter the email address that was used to create the account and follow the onscreen instructions. You will receive an email with a link to reset your password. Follow the link to create a new password, then sign into your account using your new password.

The FreeStyle LibreLink app is currently available in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese – Simplified
• Chinese – Traditional
• Danish
• Dutch
• English – United Kingdom
• English – United States
• Finnish
• French – Canada
• French – France
• German
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Portuguese – Brazil
• Portuguese – Portugal
• Russian
• Spanish – Latin America
• Spanish – Spain
• Spanish – United States
• Swedish
• Turkish

Note: The FreeStyle LibreLink app is displayed in the same language as your phone’s operating system language. If you wish to use the FreeStyle LibreLink app in a different language, choose from one of the supported languages in your phone’s system settings. The FreeStyle LibreLink app will update the next time it is opened. If the FreeStyle LibreLink app doesn’t support the language set on your phone, the app will display text in English (US).

The app will display a clock icon on the glucose graph to indicate when there has been a time change. It is necessary to use the correct time for accurate reports. If your phone’s time is not set to update automatically, you will need to update your phone’s time settings in order to continue using the app.

Yes. The app was developed using the same technology that is in the FreeStyle Libre reader for receiving and processing glucose data, so it can also be used for routine glucose monitoring.* The app can be used instead of or in combination with the FreeStyle Libre reader.

You can choose to monitor your glucose levels with either the app, the reader, or both.* You can use the FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader with the same sensor, as long as you start the sensor with the reader first, and then scan the newly started sensor with your phone within one hour.

Remember that the FreeStyle LibreLink app and FreeStyle Libre readers do not share data with each other. For example, if you switch between your reader and the app, you may see gaps in your glucose data, which will affect the reports available through the reader, the FreeStyle LibreLink app, and LibreView. It is important to continue scanning your sensor with either the app or the reader at least once every 8 hours so you and your healthcare professional can get a complete picture of your glucose trends and patterns.

• Sharing: Reports in the FreeStyle LibreLink app can be shared directly from the phone. You can connect the reader to the computer with a USB cable to upload data.
• Viewing: The reader features a simple colour touchscreen. Graphs are displayed in more colour and higher resolution in the app.
• Notes: You can add notes in the reader within 15 minutes of a glucose reading. The app allows you to add and view notes at any time in the Logbook.
• Text to Speech: If enabled in the app, you can hear the glucose reading with the unit of measure and trend arrow direction after each scan.
• Reports: The reader and the app use the same calculations to create glucose reports. Compared to the reader, reports in the app will have more colour, details, and interactivity. The app can also display an estimate of your A1C, in addition to basic stats about your glucose history in the last 24 hours.
• Reminders: The app allows you to easily set custom reminders, as well as an 8-hour timer that resets every time the sensor is scanned. App notifications on your phone must be enabled to see reminders.
• Other: The reader has an insulin calculator and a port for test strips, so it can be used both for scanning sensors and blood glucose readings.

LibreLinkUp is a companion app to the FreeStyle LibreLink app, which allows glucose readings to be automatically shared with your loved ones in near real-time. Both you and your loved one must have a network connection to share and receive glucose readings.^‡§

To add a LibreLinkUp connection through the FreeStyle LibreLink app, simply tap Share in the main menu and follow the on-screen instructions.

Every FreeStyle LibreLink scan is automatically sent to your smartphone up to 20 people can view results from a single FreeStyle LibreLink account.

You can get started with LibreLinkUp in 3 easy steps. Click here to learn how.