Learn about the FreeStyle Libre Now

Note: This post is in partnership with Abbott. All opinions are my own.

So having two kids and living in a family with members who have type II diabetes, I’ve become quite aware of the impacts of this disease and the challenges faced by Canadians living with diabetes.  Fortunately, for me I was able to meet Alvin ‘Demon Chef’ Leung and not only was he able to go through some great recipes and tricks that all Canadians, whether living with diabetes or not, should know. Chef Alvin Leung was also able to provide some insight on Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system and how it effectively helps him self-manage his diabetes all while allowing him to create his spectacular dishes becoming one of Canada’s leading chefs.

Living with diabetes means having to manage your glucose levels at all times.  In a survey conducted by Abbott, 77% of respondents said they would prefer to use a product which does not use fingerpricks – a common practice for people living with diabetes looking to self-monitor their disease.  Thankfully, the FreeStyle Libre system eliminates the need for routine fingerpricks and offers many other great benefits everyone should know about.   First off, you attach the discreet FreeStyle Libre sensor to the back of your upper arm. 

1.) Survey conducted on 04/25/2018 to CARP members. The survey was paid for by Abbott Diabetes Care, a manufacturer of diabetes care products in Canada.

2.) 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 hypoglycemia or impending hypoglycemia is reported by the system or when symptoms do not match the system readings.

3.) Sensor is water-resistant in up to 1 metre (3 feet) of water. Do not immerse longer than 30 minutes

The sensor is designed to stay on the body for up to 14 days and is water resistant3, so you don’t need to remove it when showering or swimming –  amazing right?  Then all you need to do is scan with the FreeStyle Libre reader or iPhone app and it instantly provides your glucose data.  The amazing part is that the flash glucose monitoring technology automatically measures, captures and stores glucose level data so patients and their doctors can see patterns and adjust their lifestyle, diet or treatments as required. Eliminating routine fingerpricks2 is a major advantage as this is the one step that people living with diabetes claim is the biggest reason that they don’t test their glucose levels as often as they should.

So if you’re tired of pricking your fingers, would like more freedom when self-monitoring your glucose and would like something that provides data at any moment of the day, definitely check out Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre system at www.myfreestyle.ca for more details.