The FreeStyle Libre 3 is the latest glucose monitoring system from Abbott Pharmaceuticals. This new sensor is their smallest to date.
This version is a Continuous Glucose Monitor unlike previous models. It can now send glucose readings to your cell phone every minute and it keeps track of historical readings.
The FDA approved the Libre 3 for use in the USA and Europe. It was approved by Health Canada in the fall of 2023 and is expected to be available in Canadian pharmacies in 2024.
What is the Libre?
The FreeStyle Libre first arrived on the diabetes technology scene in 2015. It quickly became a lower cost alternative to continuous glucose monitors.
The first Libres were classed as Flash monitoring systems. It consisted of a sensor that was worn on the arm and a reader that is wanded over the sensor and gave you the most current reading.
Libre and Libre 2 did not give you historical data (showing you what your readings were before). They did, however, provide instant, pain-free glucose readings that helped people with diabetes make decisions on their care.
Libre 3 is now a CGM
The latest Libre is now seen as a continuous glucose monitor. It shows real-time readings as well as historical data on your cellphone or reader.
What are the key features of the FreeStyle Libre 3?
Size
The biggest talked about difference between the Libre 3 and previous generations of Libre is its size. The new sensor is smaller than two stacked US pennies and weighs 1.1 g. Because of its small size, Abbott states that the Libre is also more sustainable for the environment. It has a 41% reduction in plastic use and 43% decrease in carton paper.
Sensor life
The new sensor will still last for 14 days before it must be changed out. Abbot has made changing the FreeStyle Libre 3 easier. It is now just one piece.
Sensor application
According to a Reddit user, “the application is much easier because it already comes with the two parts (applicator and sensor) sticking together, so it’s just a matter of seconds to apply it.”
Warm up period
The app requires a scan of your new sensor and requires 60 minutes to warm up.
Reading display
Readings are updated on your phone every one minute.
You can track glucose averages as well as time in range. This data can then be shared in reports and with loved ones.
Alarms
The alarms on the Libre 3 are customizable. You can silence low and high alerts using the app’s “do not disturb” function. The urgent low alarm cannot be silenced, however.
Bluetooth integration
The Bluetooth integration is stronger in the FreeStyle Libre 3. This means that readings can be sent to your phone even when you are 33 feet away.
Which cell phone platforms does the Libre 3 work with?
The Libre 3 can be paired with iOS and Android mobile apps using the FreeStyle LibreLink.
Who is it approved for?
The Libre 3 is approved by Health Canada, the FDA and has received its CE marking in Europe for use in patients with diabetes aged four years and older.
How does it compare to the Libre 2?
The Libre 3 is more accurate than its previous versions. An Abbott press release states that the Libre 3 has an overall mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of 7.9%, whereas the Libre 2 has a MARD of 9.2%.
Both systems have 14 day sensors with factory calibration.
The Libre 3 has a much smaller sensor and easier to use applicator than any previous generation of FreeStyle Libre systems.
Both systems have the ability to measure glucose every minute, but the Libre 3 enables real-time glucose level viewing, glucose history tracking and optional alarms, as well as notifications.
What is the cost?
Abbott has stated that once again, they will release the Libre 3 at the same price point as the Libre 2. The Libre 2 was released at the same price point as the original Libre.
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I have now sent a letter to Health Canada to ask when this will be authorized for use in Canada, the sooner the better. I can hardly wait to try it out.
Have you heard anything back from Health Canada?
Thanks!
We are still waiting 🙁
Competition in the CGM market is nothing but great for all of us.
The sensors for the 3 interfere with Bluetooth headphones and earpieces. If you use them regularly it will cause a problem. The 2 at least had the option of a separate reader that the 3 does not.
Looking forward to the libre 3 in Canada and hoping it’s more accurate. I find the Libre 2 not that accurate – reads low consistently. Estimated A1C is about 20% lower than actual.
Wow. That is a pretty big difference.
Ive been told Abbott Labs is not keeping up with Iphone versions. Abbott told me that is the reason my Libre3 sensors keep loosing signal all the time even when its in bed with me or in my pocket. Hard to sleep when the alarm goes off. I no longer even look at the app when the alarm goes off. Sad a company as big as Abbott cant keep up with the iphone software versions. Iphone os the most popular phone. FDA needs to get Abbott Labs attention and make it a priority to keep up with Apple software recisions!
I currently use the FreeStyle Libre 1. I use my reader as well as my wife’s smart phone with the FreeStyle app. I discovered by accident that if you read sensor with smart phone app before you read sensor with FreeStyle Monitor, you cannot use the reader. How does one go about changing from 1 to 3? Do I need a new prescription? If so, who do I send the prescription to? Does version 1 do anything version 3 doesn’t do? Don’t want to lose any functions.
I don’t believe so.
Yes, you need a new prescription for both the sensors and the reader. You will also need to download a new app specifically for Libre 3.
Unfortunately none of the Libre apps, readers or sensors are interchangeable among versions.
I have started using libre 3. It is not so accurate as the 2. Sometimes there is a 50 point sometimes it is 25 point difference
I’m also seeing a 50 point difference . The 3 is higher . Pretty consistently.
You are very correct !
I have used the Libre 3 for 5 months .it lasts for 14 days but the manual admits it is inaccurate for the first 48 hours. 2of the last three Libre 3s have been wildly inaccurate and as much as 55 pts off .
When you call Abbot , which I did today, they told me it was a “known problem” after I told them the serial number.
So they are selling something they know or should know is not working (and could harm you) which they replace if you complain but they don’t tell you or your pharmacy unless you complain .
I can’t trust this!
Totally agree i plan to file a complaint to FDA tomorrow. We all need to be doing this. My problem is signal loss. I didnt realize accuracy is also a problem. Abbott isnt keeping up with phones software version.
Install your new sensor one day before the old one ends but do not scan until the old one ends. This allows the sensor site to settle down from the application and you don’t see the bad data in my experience.
I just received my Freestyle Libre 3. After two hour i am getting a signal loss and Alarm not available. What is causing this?
turn Bluetooth on phone off for 15 seconds then turn back on libre will reconnect after a few minutes
Ive tried that many times and doesnt seem to help. Wonder what the FDA says. I just ignore loss signal any more. Eventually it connects itself.
My diabetes nurse says she can’t view the actual readings. All she gets are images of the line “in range,” but she can’t access actual numbers, which are quite important to help her accurately advise patients.
My 2 has been very accurate and will not change to 3 for some time. Have had only 2 bad sensors in several years and were replaced promptly.
Good wishes to everyone.
Looked into G7 ????Jon
My 2 has been very accurate and will not change to 3 for some time. Have had only 2 bad sensors in several years and were replaced promptly.
Good wishes to everyone.
Looked into G7 ????Jon
This is my 2nd sensor libre 3 (which was a replacement for a sensor that I could not use) that I am having issues with reading low. I just put this sensor on and within 2 hours it was reading 68. I checked my glucose on my glucometer and it was reading in the 90’s. The other time it was reading 69 and kept showing arrow going down during when I was eating dinner. It also does interfere with bluetooth headphones and earpieces. I also have many signal loss as well. I called customer service and they will be sending me another replacement. What good is a replacement if it does not work properly.
Was thinking about changing but don’t know now.
I used Libre 2 for about a year and recently switched to Libre 3. On the surface, the L3’s are great – smaller, less waste, not having to remember to scan every 8 hours, etc. Unfortunately, I’ve had nothing but problems. Out of the six I started with (plus one replacement), I don’t think any of them have lasted the entire 14 days. Two fell off my arm before I even got the first reading, in spite of following the instructions for preparing the site. The rest either fell off or stopped working at some point prior to the 14 days. A couple were signal losses that never reconnected. The rest were sensor errors that said to replace the sensor. Luckily, I am not on insulin and rarely, if ever, have low glucose events so I’m not depending on this for my very life. I’m hoping that this was just a bad batch and my next set will work better. I had been hesitant to request too many replacements from Abbott, but if I have problems in the future I’ll be sure to get them from now on, particularly now that I know that it’s not just me! I never had any problems with the L2s. I think one fell off early, but it was because I was travelling and unknowingly was scraping it against something every time I got in or out of the car.
I absolutely love the libre 3….
I’ve only lost 1 sensor since I started…
I only wish the had the sticky part for sensitive skin because at times it gets really itchy…