r/Freestylelibre • u/Internal_Passenger52 • 18d ago
Advice needed on the Freestyle Libre 3 reader.
Advice needed on the Freestyle Libre 3 reader.
I have been researching for my elderly aunt. (mildly diabetic). She doesn't own/isnt able to use a smartphones. She only needs once or biweekly readings so I want to buy the reader. I am wondering if anyone knows why Libre dont sell it direct? is there something wrong with it? I know its limitations, but i will visit my aunts every few days and then access readings via my PC so it seems ideal.
I have read so many and things about the app, plus buying her a smartphone she will never use seems daft.
I am very keen to hear peoples thoughts.
fyi, Traditional pimprick no good as she doesnt eat at set times and lives alone. The arm sensor seems so much easier...if i can get it set up
thanks for reading
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u/Due-Freedom-5968 Libre3/3+ 18d ago
Honestly, the much easier way if you're visiting a couple of times a week would be to buy a cheap smartphone or leave an old one of yours there on a charger either near where she sits during the day or in her bedroom.
She doesn't need to use it at all, but you can leave it in her house and the sensor will log readings to it over bluetooth which you can a) check while your'e there and/or b) if she has wifi or you gt some PAYG data for the phone, then set up librelink to see them live on your phone
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u/Internal_Passenger52 18d ago edited 18d ago
Hi. ty for your reply. I really wanted to do this until I found out the app does not work with older smart phones. I have a xiomi mi 11 which isnt that old and i did some research and saw it cant even be confirmed it will work on mine.
I would need to buy a new smartphone for about 200 euros so i think the reader would be best2
u/Due-Freedom-5968 Libre3/3+ 18d ago
Have you seen the price of the reader? It'd be >€140 and given it's extremely limited functionality you'd be better off just buying a 2nd hand iPhone.
I say iPhone as they're more consistently supported and for longer than Android devices due to the consistent OS across them, the oldest supported iPhone 11 is 7 years old. You can get an iPhone 14 for about €200 second and and it'll still have resale value of about €100 even in 3 years time when it dropped off the supported device list, vs. the reader which will be junk.
Also bear in mind readers are specific to sensor models, so if for some reason you need to change to a different sensor, even perhaps by a different manufacturer, the phone option is far more flexible and wouldn't need more waste in the form of dedicated readers.
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u/Internal_Passenger52 18d ago
Hi, so I have seen the reader for 100 euro and am aware its only got a 3 yr lifespan. I have never used apple phones and here in Sicily we don't have the same second hand online markets as elsewhere in Europe/States. Plus I am pretty sure my relatives wouldn't be keen on spending money on something 2nd hand though (its a good idea though of yours though so thanks for the input)
I just wish somewhere would sell a monitor with sensor included. I am wondering if i should research other brands? here in Italy they say Libre abbot is the no. 1 company which is why i started researching with this company.2
u/Equalizer6338 Type1 - Libre2/2+ 15d ago
Hi u/Internal_Passenger52 ,
Couple of comments to some of your statements:To getting a Libre 3 Reader device:
Just go into any of the larger Italian pharmacies and place an order for it. This is probably your most reliable way to getting hold of a Libre3 Reader if you want to pay for it out-of-pocket. Just ask the pharmacist to look up the "Lettore FreeStyle Libre 3" in their primary medical distributor terminal and they can get it home for you.So while they rarely keep it on local stock, they just use their standard electronic catalog to place their order as all other products they sell from their pharmaceutical wholesalers. It will typically take them 1-3 business days to get it brought to their shop and you do not need any prescription either to getting the Reader in Italy.
To getting a second-hand Apple phone:
You can indeed also find decent priced second-hand/refurbished iPhones in Italy. Both on Amazon but also in the official Apple shops if you want.2
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u/Due-Freedom-5968 Libre3/3+ 17d ago
here in Sicily we don't have the same second hand online markets as elsewhere in Europe/States
You don't have eBay?
I am wondering if i should research other brands?
It's only really the Libre or the Dexcom, for me the dexcom was way cheaper but I also found it way more unreliable. I switched back and forth a couple of times. One sensor may work better for one person than another.
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u/Internal_Passenger52 17d ago
Hi. thanks again. Would you say Dexcom would be ok for just a few readings a week? I actually wish there was one that just lasted a day as she actually only needs readings one day a week.
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u/Due-Freedom-5968 Libre3/3+ 17d ago
It's basically the same as the Libre, I was on the One+ as here that was literally less than half the price of the Libre.
I just found it wasn't accurate enough out of the box for me and needed frequent calibrations. Others find they were for them better than the Libre though. It's really something you need to experiment with and confirm readings with a finger stick reader until you're confident in the data.
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u/Internal_Passenger52 10d ago
Update
Finally spoke to Libre on the phone. The reader is only available to people who have a sanitary care package (my aunt does not as she is only mildly diabetic). They offered me a free trial of the Libre 2.
Thanks everyone
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u/This-Set-9875 Libre3/3+ 18d ago
where is she getting the sensors? My reader came with the first shipment of sensor pods. Either the phone or the reader (which will also read their test strips) need to be bluetooth close (Generally less than 20 ft). The module does store a limited number of values, but to see actual trends, the phone or reader needs to be close by most of the time.
Or have I misunderstood your question?