Real-Life Evaluation: My Libre 3 Review

Ahoy, fellow glucose monitoring enthusiasts! Get ready to set sail into the exciting world of the Libre 3 CGM by Abbott.

This snazzy new gadget is causing quite a buzz, and trust me, it’s worth all the hype!

The Libre 3 has some seriously cool features that’ll blow your mind. We’re talking size, style, and functionality all in one!

So grab your favorite cuppa—be it tea, coffee, or just a refreshing glass of water—and join me on this post as we explore the ins and outs of the fabulous Libre 3 CGM.

Prepare to be wowed!

Want to jump ahead and skip around? Here’s what I’ll be going over:

• Libre 3, What’s Still the Same
• What’s New & Exciting!
• My Personal Favs about the Libre 3
• My Peeves about the Libre 3
• In a Nutshell Summary

Let’s start by appreciating the familiar aspects of the Libre 3 CGM that have stood the test of time.

It still offers a 14-day wear time, ensuring you don’t have to constantly switch sensors like a never-ending game of musical chairs.

The shape remains round, because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Also, you can’t catch as many things on a circle as you can a square (or anything with edges).

And fear not, the warm-up period is still a mere 60 minutes, because who has the patience to wait longer anyway?

The alarms and alerts have stuck around, bringing you the same sense of security and peace of mind as its predecessor, the Libre 2. Remember, Libre 1 missed out on the alert party.

Your glucose data still connects from your sensor to your smartphone with bluetooth connectivity.

And lastly, the price has remained the same. All of Abbotts CGMs are the same price across the board. Libre 14 day wear, Libre 2, and Libre 3. They all cost the same.

Good things do come in small packages! The Libre 3 CGM has undergone a remarkable transformation, shrinking by a whopping 70%! It’s now as tiny as two stacked pennies, making it barely noticeable. Now you’re going to have to pad yourself down wondering where on earth you attached it. Trust me, it’s so discreet, it could play hide-and-seek and win every time!

Say goodbye to the blinding, glossy white exterior of yesteryears. The Libre 3 CGM sports a modern matte finish.

Ah, the mystical hole in the middle! Ever wonder what this was for? It was on the previous Freestyle models, but with this model Abbot has increased the opening size. It works by stabilizing humidity and temperature around the sensor. It’s like having your own personal weatherman inside your CGM. You’ll never be caught off guard by unforeseen environmental changes.

Say farewell to the receiver; it’s time for your smartphone to shine! The Libre 3 CGM exclusively pairs with your smart device. Just download the Libre 3 app, and voilà, your phone becomes a high-tech glucose monitoring marvel.

The Libre 3 CGM now delivers minute-by-minute updates on your glucose levels. With data flowing in real-time, you’ll never miss a beat, or a spike, in your glucose readings. This is incredibly helpful to staying in control and ahead of the game.

The Libre 3 CGM now uses a one-piece applicator. It reduces plastic waste by 41% and paper waste by 43%. It’s a small step towards greener T1D products, and every penny, or rather, every stacked penny, counts!

Brace yourself for an impressive MARD score of 7.9% with the Libre 3 CGM. That’s right, it’s more accurate than any CGM on the market! Say goodbye to the days of second-guessing your readings.

The Libre 3 CGM is eyeing an approval for iCGM compatibility, opening doors to hybrid closed-loop systems like Tandem and Omnipod. It’s a potential game-changer for those seeking seamless integration between their CGM and insulin pumps. Stay tuned for the next wave of advancements in glucose management!

I noticed that the filament in the Libre 3 CGM appears a bit thicker than before. However, fear not, because I didn’t even notice it in terms of comfort.

No more being tethered to your smartphone on a 12ft leash. With an extended Bluetooth reach of up to 10 meters (32.8 feet), the Libre 3 CGM gives you a newfound freedom to move, dance, leap, twirl, and stay connected (as long as it’s within those 10 meters).

It’s time to personalize your glucose goals! The Libre 3 CGM allows you to customize your target range, catering to your unique needs and preferences. Whether you’re aiming for a tight ship or a slightly wider margin, the choice is yours.

The HbA1c Estimator has taken a backseat, making way for the Estimated GMI (Glucose Management Indicator). It’s a new name on an old tool. My guess is Abbots legal team (or the FDA) told them they can’t call it an HbA1c estimator. But alas, it’s the same thing, just has a new name.

Now, let’s delve into my personal take on the Libre 3 CGM. Here are a few things that have captured my attention, both positively and not-so-positively.

The itsy bitsy size of the Libre 3 CGM is an absolute win in my book. It’s so small and is so low profile that I completely forgot it was there. Kudos to Abbott for shrinking it down to such an impressive extent!

I’m thrilled about the environmental consciousness in this new Libre 3 CGM. I’m amazed by the amount of waste T1D generates, so the fact that Abbot reduced plastic waste by 41% and paper waste by 43% with this new Libre 3 design brings a smile to my face.

Not only is the Libre 3 CGM the most accurate CGM on the market, but in the 3 years that i’ve been using libre I can’t even think of a time when I saw a connection error or a lost signal error message. I’m sure it happened? Maybe? But I honestly don’t remember ever seeing a message of that nature.

Having been using the Libre 3 CGM for a couple months now (that’s 4 sensors), I’m proud to say that the winning streak continues.

Now when I was using Dexcom, I remember seeing a lost signal error message at least a few times a week.

Because of Libre 3’s accuracy I almost never do fingersticks anymore. Anytime I test my CGM number with a finger stick it’s no more than 5-10mg/dL off. This has saved SO much money in test strips.

When it comes to alarm sounds, the Libre 3 CGM offers just two options. Both of which are horrible.

The first alarm sound is way too aggressive and made everyone in my office think I was dying when it sounded off.

The second sound is probably the most popular phone notification sound out there. So it can easily be mistaken for a notification from another app.

I would love to see a wider selection of sounds.

This is a tough one, because I like having real-time numbers that get updated every minute. BUT, the frequent data transfer from the CGM to your phone takes quite a toll on your phone’s battery life. It didn’t completely drain my battery by the end of the day, but it was pretty low.

Libre’s app interface is super intuitive. Very similar to Dexcom’s interface. However, there is one thing about the Libre app that I think could use some improvement. And that is being able to manipulate the graph view screen.

Currently, the graph can only be viewed as a 12 hour graph or a 24 hour graph. No in between. And since the graph can only be viewed vertically, it can sometimes look really….smooshed.

I would love to be able to zoom in on a certain time, or scrub along the graph to see what my blood sugar number was at any given time, or be able to see a 4 or 8 hour graph. Even being able to flip my phone horizontally and allowing more space for the graph would just be icing on the cake.

Another feature I’d love to see on the app is the inclusion of the standard deviation. This is a vital piece of information that can give us a better picture of our glucose variability.

Abbott’s Libre 3 CGM knocked it out of the park.

It’s a home run.

Between the itsy bitsy size, smaller packaging, improved accuracy, customized target range, and increased bluetooth range, this CGM, in my opinion, is the best one on the market.

And the fact that Abbott made all these improvements and price has not increased is amazing.

Just like with anything new to the market, there is some room for improvement (in my opinion). I would love to see more alarm sound options and some updates to the app interface.

So, whether you’re already a fan of CGMs or considering making the switch, the Libre 3 CGM deserves a spot on your radar.

To learn more about the Libre 3, check out their website HERE.