Digital Health Tool ‘Life-Changing’ for Those Living with Diabetes
Learn more about Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system and how it provided ease and empowerment for one woman managing diabetes.
Neli, 54, was diagnosed with diabetes more than eight years ago after a routine blood test. As a busy single mom from British Columbia, Neli found her diagnosis initially felt overwhelming. She had just moved to a new home and was raising a young daughter, starting a new career, and taking night school courses.
Neli knew that measuring her glucose was critical for staying healthy and avoiding serious or even life-threatening complications, but she struggled to consistently monitor her glucose levels with finger-prick testing.
“Finger-prick testing was inconvenient, and I was embarrassed to do it in public, so I didn’t test as often as I should,” said Neli.
An avid runner for more than 20 years, Neli also found it challenging to test while participating in a half or full marathon, something she liked to do frequently.
Last year, Neli started using Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system§ – a flash glucose monitoring system that offers real-time glucose readings through a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm – and it changed her life.
“The FreeStyle Libre is life-changing for managing your diabetes,” said Neli. “I can just scan my sensor with a smartphone* anytime† to get a glucose reading* – whether I’m out doing errands, or even running a marathon! I simply pause, complete a one-second scan and go on my way.”
The FreeStyle Libre portfolio of products eliminates the need for painful finger pricking,¥ and empowers people with diabetes like Neli to see how lifestyle, diet, medication and activity impact their glucose results.
“The FreeStyle Libre gives me peace of mind, knowing that all the data I need to manage my glucose is right at my fingertips,” said Neli. “The graphs make it easy to see my current glucose level as well as trends over time, so I can take steps to prevent it from going too high or too low.”
The FreeStyle Libre system also collects Neli’s glucose data for up to 90 days, so she can share this information with her doctor. In the midst of COVID-19, access to innovative digital tools like the FreeStyle Libre and FreeStyle Libre 2 ∞flash glucose monitoring systems, as well as access to virtual care, has been critical to support Canadians with diabetes without interruption of care.[i]
“I feel very fortunate that I have private insurance that covers the cost of flash glucose monitoring,” said Neli. “Managing diabetes can be tough, and having access to tools like the FreeStyle Libre can be life-changing.”
If you think the FreeStyle Libre or FreeStyle Libre 2 system may be right for you, talk to your doctor or visit MyFreeStyle.ca.
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This article was paid for by Abbott, a manufacturer of diabetes care products in Canada. This is an actual testimonial of a FreeStyle Libre system user and Abbott has consent to use their story. Consent is on file with Abbott.
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© 2021 Abbott. FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott. Product images are for illustrative purposes only.
§The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in adults aged 18 years and older with diabetes mellitus. Always read and follow the label/insert.
∞The FreeStyle Libre 2 flash glucose monitoring system is indicated for measuring interstitial fluid glucose levels in people aged 4 years and older with diabetes mellitus. Always read and follow the label/insert.
* The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader have similar but not identical features. 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 or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the FreeStyle LibreLink app or when symptoms do not match the app readings. The FreeStyle Libre sensor communicates with the FreeStyle Libre reader that started it or the FreeStyle LibreLink app that started it. A sensor started by the FreeStyle Libre reader will also communicate with the FreeStyle LibreLink app. The FreeStyle LibreLink app is only compatible with certain mobile devices and operating systems. Please check the website for more information about device compatibility before using the app. Use of FreeStyle LibreLink requires registration with LibreView.
† 60-minute warm-up required when applying the sensor
¥ 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 or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the system or when symptoms do not match the system readings.
[1] Bhatia, Sojania, and Levinson. Cost of Contact: Redesigning healthcare in the age of COVID.
https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/early/2020/08/05/bmjqs-2020-011624
