New glucose meter that does not require the blood drop

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Veronica & Babu-chiri

Veronica & Babu-chiri

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There is a new glucose meter the FreeStyle Libre fromm ABBOT that actually measures continuously and does not actually require the blood drop, ( no more poking or anything !!! ) has any one tried it ?

It's a little bit expensive but if it works as advertised it would be worthed specially with a kittie as hard to regulate as Babu-chiri

This is a link to the meter's page

My vet is looking at it and we are trying to see if we can get Abbot to sell the sensors here in Mexico, since they haven't officially introduced it here, no use getting the meter with out them
 
Wow! Sounds interesting!

More info here:
Abbott Receives FDA Approval for the FreeStyle Libre Pro™ System, a Revolutionary Diabetes Sensing Technology for Healthcare Professionals to Use with Their Patients

After reading the info, a few things jumped out at me:
  • the device may inaccurately indicate hypoglycemia: "The results of the clinical study conducted for this device showed that 40% of the time when the device indicated that user sensor glucose values were at or below 60 mg/dL, user glucose values were actually in the range of 81-160 mg/dL. Therefore, interpretation of the FreeStyle Libre Pro Flash Glucose Monitoring System readings should only be based on the trends and patterns analyzed through time using the reports available per the intended use."
  • "The System does not provide real-time results."
  • "Use of the System is not recommended in the critically ill population since performance is unknown due to different conditions and medications." - many of our diabetic cats have concurrent conditions
  • "Sensor placement is not approved for sites other than the back of the arm. If placed in other areas, the Sensor may not function properly."
  • "The FreeStyle Libre Pro Flash Glucose Monitoring System contains small parts that may be dangerous if swallowed."

At this time, I'm not-so-sure this system will be good for use with our diabetic kitties. However, it'll be interesting to see how this system plays out with human diabetics. It definitely bears watching...
 
Carol & Murphy said:
My vet told me about it a few months ago and said it has been validated in dogs. It would require a small shaved area probably on the chest and wearing some kind of clothes to cover the sensor I don't know if Murphy would tolerate clothes but as soon as I find something suitable I'm going back in to the vet to discuss
Click to expand...
Interesting! Are you purchasing the equipment to scan the sensor or is your vet getting involved? Are you planning on testing in real time in addition to getting the scanned results every 2 weeks?

Keep us in the loop. I'm sure there are many who will be interested!
 
Carol & Murphy said:
My vet told me about it a few months ago and said it has been validated in dogs. It would require a small shaved area probably on the chest and wearing some kind of clothes to cover the sensor I don't know if Murphy would tolerate clothes but as soon as I find something suitable I'm going back in to the vet to discuss
Click to expand...
I am interested in this too!!:bighug:
 
Well, Jayla, it's the same vet you went to!!
I don't have it figured out at all yet - I was looking at getting some infant (3 month old) tank tops and see how that works. My vet suggested some type of kitty "onesy" . She said once I get the covering part worked out, and buy the device, I should come back in. I don't think she knew it wasn't available in the US yet. I didn't know until just now either. The FDA approved device now is for physicians only - will need to wait for the consumer edition to be approved. That's the one that gives you real time numbers. Our understanding is that he would need to be shaved every two weeks for the sensor placement. So that may end up being more of a pain than it's worth we'll see
 
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Carol & Murphy said:
Well, Jayla, it's the same vet you went to!!
I don't have it figured out at all yet - I was looking at getting some infant (3 month old) tank tops and see how that works. My vet suggested some type of kitty "onesy" . She said once I get the covering part worked out, and buy the device, I should come back in. I don't think she knew it wasn't available in the US yet. I didn't know until just now either. The FDA approved device now is for physicians only - will need to wait for the consumer edition to be approved. That's the one that gives you real time numbers. Our understanding is that he would need to be shaved every two weeks for the sensor placement. So that may end up being more of a pain than it's worth we'll see
Click to expand...
I am ok with the shaving... having a grooming shop helps:rolleyes:
I shaved Dre the other day-he loves it:cat:
 
Carol & Murphy said:
I was looking at getting some infant (3 month old) tank tops and see how that works. My vet suggested some type of kitty "onesy" .
Click to expand...
Somebody (can't remember who) posted the link to a onesie awhile back:

Cover Me by Tui Adjustable Fit Puppy Print Pullover with Short Sleeve for Pets, Small

Not sure if it's what your vet was referring to.
Carol & Murphy said:
The FDA approved device now is for physicians only - will need to wait for the consumer edition to be approved. That's the one that gives you real time numbers.
Click to expand...
Ah, ok. Keep us posted! :)
 
Well I'm ok with the shaving of an area, if that saves him from the testing and also gives us 24/7 readings, health before beauty , he has some spots already shaved anyway after the days he had to spend at the vet two months ago

It seems we may be able to get the consumer edition here in Mexico, a little bit more expensive than in Europe though still checking
 
Hi everyone I just wanted to tell you all I've got the Freestyle libre ( the consumer version ) so here is what I've discovered:

- It is really great, for what I was able to see it gives you real time readings up to a minute before you do the reading, only it would not transmit automatically you have to put the reader close to the sensor so that it can download the information and the sensor only keeps 8 hours of readings so you would have to make a few readings during the day to keep all the data
- I didn't saw any small parts that could come apart or something it's all one piece on the outside, on the inside it most probably does have some small parts since it has a micro chip and surely some other stuff in there but you would have to break it to get something out and it seems pretty resistant.

Carol: is not yet on sale openly here in Mexico, what Abbot said it probably will be next year, but if a doctor or a pharmacy request them for it they would send it, that's what we did so you could probably get one in Tijuana asking the pharmacy to request it.

So far so good BUT and is a big BUT the actual size of the sensor is 1.5 inches in diameter so the kitty has to have an area big enough to place it and one feature that is not indicated on any of the brochures or technical documentation they give is that the actual device that samples (they call it a filament) is a needle that is between 8mm to 10 mm (0.31 to 0.39 inches ) long placed right in the center of the sensor, yes is a really long and not so thin needle, so the sensor has to be placed somewhere that allows this needle to get inserted in a muscle ( meat sort of speak) so that it can sample from there, so you need to find an area big enough to fit it and that has enough muscle so that the needle does not hurt anything ( my guess is once it is inserted and since it really does not move that's why people say it doesn't bother you)

So the kitty has to be fairly big and not to skinny to even try to use this sensor.

There's where we got the problem, Babu has never been a big cat and he was pretty slim to begin with even before getting sick and two months ago when he got really sick he lost over 2.3 pounds and he hasn't recovered his original weight so he really really does not have enough muscle or meat anywhere to be able to place the sensor.
 
Thanks so much for the information - could you send a picture of the sensor and the needle? My vet was thinking the sensor could go on Murphy's chest but from your description of the needle, I am not sure there is enough muscle there - what does your vet suggest? Are you saying that you don't think you will be able to use it?
 
Carol & Murphy said:
Thanks so much for the information - could you send a picture of the sensor and the needle? My vet was thinking the sensor could go on Murphy's chest but from your description of the needle, I am not sure there is enough muscle there - what does your vet suggest? Are you saying that you don't think you will be able to use it?
Click to expand...

Yes for what we saw the most likely areas are near the shoulder or his buttocks. and unfortunately yes at least unless he gains more weight and muscle we won't be able to use it.

My vet kept the sensor but I will try and get you the photo
 
Veronica & Babu-chiri said:
Hi everyone I just wanted to tell you all I've got the Freestyle libre ( the consumer version ) so here is what I've discovered:

- It is really great, for what I was able to see it gives you real time readings up to a minute before you do the reading, only it would not transmit automatically you have to put the reader close to the sensor so that it can download the information and the sensor only keeps 8 hours of readings so you would have to make a few readings during the day to keep all the data
- I didn't saw any small parts that could come apart or something it's all one piece on the outside, on the inside it most probably does have some small parts since it has a micro chip and surely some other stuff in there but you would have to break it to get something out and it seems pretty resistant.

Carol: is not yet on sale openly here in Mexico, what Abbot said it probably will be next year, but if a doctor or a pharmacy request them for it they would send it, that's what we did so you could probably get one in Tijuana asking the pharmacy to request it.

So far so good BUT and is a big BUT the actual size of the sensor is 1.5 inches in diameter so the kitty has to have an area big enough to place it and one feature that is not indicated on any of the brochures or technical documentation they give is that the actual device that samples (they call it a filament) is a needle that is between 8mm to 10 mm (0.31 to 0.39 inches ) long placed right in the center of the sensor, yes is a really long and not so thin needle, so the sensor has to be placed somewhere that allows this needle to get inserted in a muscle ( meat sort of speak) so that it can sample from there, so you need to find an area big enough to fit it and that has enough muscle so that the needle does not hurt anything ( my guess is once it is inserted and since it really does not move that's why people say it doesn't bother you)

So the kitty has to be fairly big and not to skinny to even try to use this sensor.

There's where we got the problem, Babu has never been a big cat and he was pretty slim to begin with even before getting sick and two months ago when he got really sick he lost over 2.3 pounds and he hasn't recovered his original weight so he really really does not have enough muscle or meat anywhere to be able to place the sensor.
Click to expand...
There's a lot of helpful information here. Thank you for sharing!

 
Jill & Alex (GA) said:
There's a lot of helpful information here. Thank you for sharing!
Click to expand...

Hi,


I have discovered this week that one branch of my company was dealing with diabetes care (please, don't lough, that's one of the thing you learn when you work in a big big company.;)...).
And this branch of my company is distributing this type of meters in Europe!!!

So, this week, one of the doctor of this branch came to my subsidiary, and presented to us this innovation.

What I have retained from his presentation that could be useful for us is as follows (please note that his presentation was focused on human diabetes):

- the patch needs to be replaced every 7 days (or 14 days, depending on the brand). After this period, it is full of macrophages because of the inflammation created by the patch
- and the BG is measured in a muscle : thus there is a delay of around 40 minutes between the actual blood glucose level and the reading (time requested to supply human muscle with blood). Difficult to detect an hypo in time :confused:
- cost is terrible (and I'm speaking from France, where the cost of anything linked to health is much more affordable than in the US). Per patch, in France, it's more than 70€, and it needs to be replaced every 14 days. For a human, it costs around 3000€ per year, taking into account the cost of the meter itself.
 
Capoo said:
Hi,


I have discovered this week that one branch of my company was dealing with diabetes care (please, don't lough, that's one of the thing you learn when you work in a big big company.;)...).
And this branch of my company is distributing this type of meters in Europe!!!

So, this week, one of the doctor of this branch came to my subsidiary, and presented to us this innovation.

What I have retained from his presentation that could be useful for us is as follows (please note that his presentation was focused on human diabetes):

- the patch needs to be replaced every 7 days (or 14 days, depending on the brand). After this period, it is full of macrophages because of the inflammation created by the patch
- and the BG is measured in a muscle : thus there is a delay of around 40 minutes between the actual blood glucose level and the reading (time requested to supply human muscle with blood). Difficult to detect an hypo in time :confused:
- cost is terrible (and I'm speaking from France, where the cost of anything linked to health is much more affordable than in the US). Per patch, in France, it's more than 70€, and it needs to be replaced every 14 days. For a human, it costs around 3000€ per year, taking into account the cost of the meter itself.
Click to expand...
Thank you for sharing!
 
Capoo said:
Hi,


I have discovered this week that one branch of my company was dealing with diabetes care (please, don't lough, that's one of the thing you learn when you work in a big big company.;)...).
And this branch of my company is distributing this type of meters in Europe!!!

So, this week, one of the doctor of this branch came to my subsidiary, and presented to us this innovation.

What I have retained from his presentation that could be useful for us is as follows (please note that his presentation was focused on human diabetes):

- the patch needs to be replaced every 7 days (or 14 days, depending on the brand). After this period, it is full of macrophages because of the inflammation created by the patch
- and the BG is measured in a muscle : thus there is a delay of around 40 minutes between the actual blood glucose level and the reading (time requested to supply human muscle with blood). Difficult to detect an hypo in time :confused:
- cost is terrible (and I'm speaking from France, where the cost of anything linked to health is much more affordable than in the US). Per patch, in France, it's more than 70€, and it needs to be replaced every 14 days. For a human, it costs around 3000€ per year, taking into account the cost of the meter itself.
Click to expand...

Actually I did bought it since it was the only way to try it and I actually paid around 110 US dollars (give or take a few dollars because I bought it in Mexican pesos) for the sensor which would be the expensive part since is the one that has to be replaced every 14 days and 125 US dollars for the meter (not so bad since it's a one time purchase).

Both of them will probably be a little less expensive next year when Abbot launches it officially here(Mexico)

And yes as I tried to explain it does require some muscle to be inserted and at least in my case that was the problem since Babu is very skinny right now.

So far it seems they had tried them in dogs and it has worked fine but they are bigger and with more area and muscle
 
I feel so disappointed regarding the required muscle mass - am I understanding this right that it would cost $110 every two weeks for a new sensor? Wow I had such high hopes but now it doesn't seem very feasible

Veronica - how much does your cat weigh?
 
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Carol & Murphy said:
I feel so disappointed regarding the required muscle mass - am I understanding this right that it would cost $110 every two weeks for a new sensor? Wow I had such high hopes but now it doesn't seem very feasible

Veronica - how much does your cat weigh?
Click to expand...

This is what it costed me but we had to have it shipped specially which caused it to be a little bit more expensive, from what Abbot said next sensors would be around 60 US or less once it's officially introduced here.

Babu is 7.2 pounds and quite skiny right now since he lost over 2 pounds when all this started
 
jayla-n-Drevon said:
ugh!
So the needle goes into the muscle and stays for 14 days? I am reading this wrong?
Click to expand...

Yes it is actually how it works, it takes it´s samples for the readings from the muscle, I've chated with some people who are actually using them and they say once is in place it doesn't bother them and from the ones placed in dogs there are no reports of any problems but the needle is as I said at least for the freestyle libre that I got about 8mm long so for our kitties it does require the area to have sustancial muscle so that it won't be unconfortable for them or hurt something else.
 
Hi everyone I got some photos of the sensor and I thought it would be a good idea to share them here.
DSC_0590.JPG
DSC_0594.JPG


The sensor is still mounted on the device it's packed in and that has a sort of inyection mecanism so that the user can apply it by himself with out need of help,that's the blue and grey parts.
 
I've been discussing this with my Vet, instead of using the poking method, he told me the needles goes just under the skin, not muscle
 
I think after reading all this I'll continue with manual testing, there is no way my cat would tolerate having that sensor stuck to her body
 
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