Integrated Diabetes Services 333 E. Lancaster Ave. Suite 204, Wynnewood, PA 19096 USA Email Contact Us - US toll free: 877-735-3648 - Outside US: 011-1-610-642-6055 Fax: (610) 642-8046
Insulin pumps are NOT commodities. There are differences between systems (some subtle, some obvious) that make certain pumps better options for certain individuals. It is astounding that so many people are given little to no choice when it comes to selecting an insulin pump. Given that pump warranties last longer than the average marriage, it makes sense to invest some time in comparing the various devices before making a selection.
Every member of our clinical team has personal and professional experience with every make and model of insulin pump. We are not employed by any pump company, and we are not easily pressured (although really good chocolate has been known to sway our opinion a bit), so we can offer you fair and impartial information/insight.
Please use our pump comparisons to help make an educated decision. We have listed the positive and negative features that are unique to each pump. Features that are common to all pumps, such as allowing for multiple basal patterns, are not included.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours. If you would like some expert input, feel free to contact our office and schedule some time to meet or speak with one of our clinicians. And for assistance applying your pump to achieve the best possible glucose management, please reach out.
Pros & Cons of the Freestyle Libre2 14 Day Continuous Glucose Monitor
Unique Advantages: Pros
No calibration needed
Sensor life 14 days (longest disposable sensor duration available)
Easy to grip inserter
Low profile transmitter
Lowest cash pay cost
1-hour warm up (shortest)
Reading updated every 60 seconds, recorded to memory every 15 minutes,
Sensor stores up to 8 hours of data if not scanned.
Reader and app accept notes to track info such as carbs, meal/snack type, insulin, exercise, comments, medications
App allows for adds/edits to logbook info at any time
Reader only requires a charge every 4 days, or it can be charged briefly every day
Medicare approved
Data upload software available
Glucometer built into reader
New! Easy to set up, easy to use Freestyle Libre 2 phone app now available for iPhones.
Phone app has real-time alerts for lows and highs that prompts you to scan to see the glucose value.
Phone app can link to healthcare provider team with LibreView and/or link to up to 20 people using the LibreLinkUp app
Easy to log info real-time, or add logbook details later and adjust the date/time of the entry.
Potential Drawbacks: CONS
Need to carry reader if app is not compatible with your phone
Must scan sensor and wait a moment to get data
Tends to ‘exaggerate’ lows & alerts for lows when not low
Calibration not available to improve accuracy
Can only add/edit notes within 15 minutes of real-time on Reader
It takes 3 hours to fully charge a low battery Reader
>500 mg daily of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) may falsely raise Sensor glucose readings
Transmitter adhesive may not last 14 days
Need to use enough “force” to push the inserter device to deploy the sensor from the inserter into the body.
Aside from a momentary display after scanning to get a glucose result, the phone app only displays in 24 hour graph format which visually causes a more variable-appearing glucose graph than if it were displayed in a 3, 6, or 12 hour view.
Still comes with a fine print warning of:https://provider.myfreestyle.com/freestyle-libre-2-accuracy.html IMPORTANT: 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.
A warning related to charging the Reader states: Surface temperature of Reader and power adapter could be as high as 120?F while charging. Do not hold the Reader or power adapter for more than 5 minutes while charging.