Abbott Diabetes Care is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacturing of blood glucose monitoring systems for adults and children with diabetes.
Founded in 1888 by Dr. Wallace C. Abbott in Illinois, USA.
In 1981, Abbott Laboratories acquired MediSense, a company focused on diabetes care.
In 1999, Abbott introduced the FreeStyle® blood glucose monitoring system, which enabled people with diabetes to monitor blood sugar levels without the need for fingersticks.
In 2017, Abbott received FDA approval for the FreeStyle Libre, a continuous glucose monitoring system that requires no fingersticks and provides real-time glucose readings via a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm.
Roche Diabetes Care (formerly Accu-Chek) is a division of Roche, a Swiss multinational healthcare company. They offer a variety of blood glucose monitoring systems and other diabetes management products.
Dexcom is a company that specializes in continuous glucose monitoring systems for people with diabetes. Their products include sensors that are worn under the skin and transmit glucose readings to a receiver or smartphone app.
Medtronic is a medical technology company that offers a variety of products for people with diabetes, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitoring systems.
The FreeStyle Libre 2 is a continuous glucose monitoring system that provides real-time glucose readings every minute via a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. It also has customizable high and low glucose alerts.
The FreeStyle Libre 14 Day is a continuous glucose monitoring system that provides real-time glucose readings every minute via a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. It also has a built-in 14-day sensor that eliminates the need for daily sensor changes.
The FreeStyle Lite is a blood glucose monitoring system that requires a small blood sample and provides results in just 5 seconds. It also has a compact design and a large, easy-to-read display.
The FreeStyle Libre 2 and the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day are both continuous glucose monitoring systems that provide real-time glucose readings. The main difference is that the FreeStyle Libre 14 Day has a built-in 14-day sensor, while the FreeStyle Libre 2 requires a new sensor to be applied every 14 days.
The FreeStyle Libre eliminates the need for most fingersticks, as it provides real-time glucose readings via a sensor worn on the back of the upper arm. However, you may still need to do occasional fingersticks to calibrate the device or confirm a low or high reading.
The average cost of the FreeStyle Libre varies depending on your insurance coverage and other factors. You should check with your healthcare provider or insurance company for more information.
Yes, the FreeStyle Libre can be used by children aged 4 and above, as well as adults. However, you should consult with your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate usage for your child.
The FreeStyle Libre sensor is applied to the back of the upper arm using an applicator. Full instructions for insertion and use are provided in the user manual and instructional videos available on the Abbott website.