I just purchased the Freestyle Libre! It has finally become available in New Zealand, and I’m adding it to my bionic woman status! Cos you know, tattoos are so overrated, it’s all about implants now….medical implants.
I’ve known about the existence of the Freestyle Libre for almost a year. I kept seeing pics on Instagram of diabetics wearing a sensor and wondered what it was…Was it a Dexcom? After some research I found out it was the Libre. And when I found out how cool it was I was jealous! I wanted one, but after much searching, there was no option to purchase in New Zealand, only in Australia. My Endocrinologist even recommended it to me back in January 2017, and said if I had the money and a contact in Australia I should get one. So now luckily it has come to New Zealand and the wait is over!
So here is a Q&A for those of you that want to know more about the Libre:
What is the Freestlye Libre and why is it so popular?
It’s a blood glucose monitoring system, that doesn’t require daily finger pricking. You purchase the reader and a sensor. You attach the sensor to your arm, and it lasts for up to 2 weeks. Then you just scan the sensor with your reader, and presto! You get a current glucose reading within 1 second. Even better, it gives you information that detects trends and patterns, which is super for fine tuning blood glucose control and management!
Why would you get the Freestyle Libre and not the Dexcom G4 CGM (Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring)?
Honestly, it’s the cost. Both are not subsidised in New Zealand, but the Dexcom is $2,279.00 NZD for the start up kit, compared to $95 NZD for the reader, and $95 NZD for a sensor. So it’s in my affordable zone!
Is the Freestyle Libre going to be your main glucose monitoring system from now on?
No. Even though the Libre is cheaper than the Dexcom, it’s still a big ongoing financial commitment for me, the cost would be appox. $2500 NZD per year. I’d probably get one every 2-3 months to track trends, and collect information, but continue to use my caresens blood glucose meter when I’m not using the Libre. It will be combination monitoring, which is still pretty exciting for me! Hopefully in the future it will be subsidised!
What are some other advantages of the Libre?
- It’s discreet. So no more scaring people with purposeful finger pricking, blood squeezing, and blood sucking. Awww.
- You can scan through clothing. Amazeballs, how convenient is that?
- It’s water resistant.
- It gives the current glucose reading, the last 8 hours of glucose history and a trend to show if your blood glucose is going up or down. This is gold.
- It stores 90 days of data.
- You will be more bionic than other humans. Which is cool. Obviously.
Keep being that amazing dia-badass that you are,
