The FreeStyle Libre 3 System

Introduction

The FreeStyle Libre 3 system is a new way for people with diabetes to check their sugar levels.

Sugar comes from the food we eat and our bodies turn it into energy using something called 'insulin'. Most people's bodies make their own insulin, but diabetes is a disease where your body either:

• can't make enough insulin or
• can't make any insulin at all.

People with diabetes have to check their sugar levels and inject the right amount of insulin to deal with it. People check their sugar levels by pricking their finger and testing their blood.

[Image: Illustration of blood vessels with red blood cells, a vial of insulin with a syringe, and a finger prick blood glucose test.]

System Overview

The FreeStyle Libre 3 system can check your sugar levels without a finger prick test. Instead, it uses a sensor worn on the back of your upper arm. A sensor is a small device that can read changes in the liquid just underneath your skin.

Sometimes, you may still need to do a finger prick test if you feel different to what the reading and alarm are saying. This guide will help you get started with the FreeStyle Libre 3 system.

[Image: A person wearing the sensor on their upper arm, holding a smartphone displaying the FreeStyle Libre 3 app with a low glucose alert.]

What the FreeStyle Libre 3 System Does

The FreeStyle Libre 3 system:

• Provides information about your sugar levels every minute.
• Can send information about your sugar levels to your smartphone. A smartphone is a phone that connects to the internet.
• Has alarms to let you know when your sugar levels are too high or too low.

[Image: Illustration showing blood vessels with an information icon, a hand holding a smartphone with various app icons, and a smartphone displaying a red alert icon.]

How the FreeStyle Libre 3 System Works

Your FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor will send information about your sugar levels to the FreeStyle Libre 3 app on your phone, every minute.

An app is a computer program that you have on your phone to help you do something.

On your app, you can:

• Look at your sugar level information every minute.
• Look at your sugar level information from the past.
• Set alarms to tell you when your sugar levels are too high or too low.

[Image: Diagram showing the sensor transmitting data to a smartphone app. Also shows app interfaces displaying glucose readings and a clock indicating time.]

Setting Up the App

To start using the FreeStyle Libre 3 app, you need to set it up on your phone. The FreeStyle Libre 3 app can only be set up on some types of phone. You can check compatibility by referring to the guide.

Follow these steps to set the app up:

1. Go to your phone's app store.
2. Type 'FreeStyle Libre 3' where it says 'Search'.
3. Look for FreeStyle Libre 3 - GB and tap it.
4. Tap 'Get' – the app is free to get and use.
5. If you wish, you can sign in or set up a LibreView account. If you already have a LibreView account, use the same email and password.
6. Read and accept the agreement.

[Image: A person using a smartphone, a laptop displaying a question mark, and icons representing the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.]

Putting On Your Sensor

To start using your FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor, you need to attach it to the back of your upper arm. The sensor comes pre-set with a sensor applicator, which you will use to apply the sensor.

Follow these steps to put on your sensor:

1. Clean a flat area on the back of your upper arm by:
   • Washing the area with soap and water.
   • Drying it.
   • Wiping the area with an alcohol wipe.
   • Leaving it to dry before the next step.
2. Unscrew the cap of the sensor applicator and put it to one side.
3. Place the sensor applicator over the area on your arm that you have cleaned and dried.
4. Push down firmly to put the sensor onto the back of your upper arm.
5. Listen for the click and then wait a few seconds.
6. Gently and slowly pull the sensor applicator away from your arm.
7. Make sure the sensor is stuck tight.

[Image: Illustrations showing the application site on the arm, the sensor applicator, and the steps for attaching the sensor, ending with a checkmark indicating a secure fit.]

Starting Your Sensor

To start getting information from your sensor on your smartphone app, you need to scan your sensor.

For iPhone Users:

1. Open the FreeStyle Libre 3 app.
2. Go to the app's 'Main Menu' and tap 'Scan New Sensor'.
3. Touch the sensor with the top of your iPhone.
4. Wait until you hear a tone and feel a vibration. This means that it has worked okay.
5. The sensor will begin to send your sugar level information to your smartphone after an hour of setting it up.

For Other Smartphone Users:

1. Open the FreeStyle Libre 3 app.
2. Hold the back of your smartphone near the sensor.

The sensor will begin to send your sugar level information to your smartphone after an hour of setting it up.

[Image: A person wearing an Apple Watch, an iPhone, the app icon, a person holding a smartphone, and a clock with a checkmark.]

Removing Your Sensor

You must replace your sensor every 14 days. To remove your sensor, slowly peel it off your skin and attach a new one. Remember to choose a different area on the back of your upper arm.

[Image: A calendar or logbook showing days, and an illustration of a person's arm indicating the sensor removal and reapplication site.]

Understanding Your App

Here's how to understand your sugar level information on your FreeStyle Libre 3 app. The background colour of your app tells you where your sugar levels are. Here's what the colours mean:

• Orange: This means your sugar levels are too high.
• Green: This means your sugar levels are just right.
• Red: This means your sugar levels are too low.
• Yellow: This means your sugar levels are starting to get either too high or too low.

There is also a number on your app which tells you where your sugar levels are. A message will tell you whether your sugar levels are going up or down. If you are not sure about a message or reading, ask your doctor for advice. An arrow will tell you how quickly your sugar levels are going up or down. Your app will also have a graph that shows how your sugar levels have changed over the past 12 hours.

[Image: App interface showing glucose readings with colour-coded backgrounds (Orange, Green, Red, Yellow) and directional arrows.]

Your Sugar Level Information History

Your app will also give you information about your past sugar levels. It will tell you:

• How often your sugar levels were too high or too low.
• How well your sugar levels have been managed.
• Where your sugar levels have usually been during the day.

[Image: App screenshots displaying historical glucose data and trends.]

Sugar Level Alarms

You can set alarms on your app that will let you know when your sugar levels are too high or too low.

Follow these steps to set up an alarm on your app:

1. Make sure you have turned on 'Bluetooth' and 'Notifications' on your smartphone.
2. In the app, go to 'Main Menu' and tap 'Alarms'.
3. Select the alarm you want to set. You can set an alarm for: too high, too low, and internet connection loss.
4. Set your normal sugar level information – this is where your sugar levels should be.
5. The app will make a sound when your sugar levels go too high or low. You can change the sound of the alarm if you would like.

[Image: Icons representing sound alerts and notifications, a person looking at a phone, and the app's alarm settings screen.]

Sharing Your Sugar Level Information With Your Doctor

LibreView

LibreView is a website that helps your doctor see your sugar level information. Your app will send all of your sugar level information to your LibreView account automatically when your phone is connected to the internet. Only you and your doctor will be able to look at your LibreView account. This can help you make decisions about your health together.

Steps to Share Data:

1. In the app, go to 'Main Menu' and tap 'Connected Apps'.
2. Then tap 'Connect' or 'Manage'.
3. Ask your doctor's surgery for their 'LibreView Practice ID'.
4. Type the 'Practice ID' into your app.
5. Tap 'Next' and then 'Connect'.

Your doctor's surgery can also send you an invitation to share your information through email.

[Image: A computer displaying glucose data, a locked computer screen with a finger to the lips, a doctor and patient discussing results, and an app screen showing connected apps.]

Support and Further Information

You can accept invitations in your app by tapping 'Accept Invitation'.

If you need more information, please call the Abbott Customer Careline on: 0800 170 1177 Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 8:00pm or Saturday, 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Or you can go to our website: www.FreeStyle.Abbott/uk-en

© 2023 Abbott. FreeStyle, Libre, and related brand marks are marks of Abbott. ADC-51736 (v2.0) 01/2023

This Easy Read information has been produced by easy-read-online.co.uk