Freestyle Libre Sensor vs. Dexcom: CGM Function, Cost, and Accuracy

Checking your blood sugar, or glucose, on a daily basis is an important element of controlling type 1 and 2 diabetes for many people.
Until recently, this was done at home with finger pricks and test strips using self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) devices.
New technology, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), makes it easier to track your blood sugar levels without the need for frequent finger pricks. These devices are being used by an increasing number of individuals, particularly children. Each monitor has a wearable sensor that adheres to your skin; the location of the sensor and how long you can wear it vary by device. It operates by collecting samples and creating sugar readings with a painless microneedle.
CGMs do not require blood samples, unlike traditional metres. Instead, they measure the quantity of glucose in the interstitial fluid, which is the fluid right beneath the skin. But which CGM choices are the best and how do they compare?
The Dexcom G6 and Abbott FreeStyle Libre are the two most popular CGMs in the UK. In this article, we'll go through what CGMs are, how they work, and the distinctions between Dexcom and FreeStyle Libre, two of the most well-known brands.
How Does Freestyle Libre Compare with Dexcom G6?
Abbott Diabetes originally introduced the FreeStyle Libre in the United States in 2017, and the FreeStyle Libre 2 has been marketed since mid-2020. It has been approved by the FDA for use in children as young as four years old, as well as adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
On the other hand, since its beginnings in 2005, Dexcom G6 has been producing CGM technology, and with each upgrade, its sensors are meant to become more accurate, reliable, and convenient. Since 2018, the current Dexcom G6 model, which is suitable for people aged 2 and up, has been released. Dexcom G6 has maintained its position as the most popular full-featured CGM available, from its first model to the most recent mobile-connected gadget.
Freestyle Libre: Features & Working
The FreeStyle Libre 2 differs from the Dexcom G6 in that, while it is commonly referred to as a CGM, it is not meant to transmit real-time data. It is actually a "Flash Glucose Monitor," that requires manual swiping over the sensor to obtain glucose readings.
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Cost
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14-Day Sensor
It's good for 14 days before you need a new sensor (4 days longer than Dexcom G6). Abbott's tech assistance, like Dexcom G6, can help you replace a sensor that isn't lasting as long as it should be.
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Warmup Time
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No Fingersticks Required
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Libre 2 Mobile App
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Data Analysis
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Interoperability
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Accuracy
Dexcom G6: Features & Working
Made up of two simple parts, the Dexcom G6 is worn as a single unit on the body. The system's brain is this small grey plastic oval. Once implanted on your skin, it snaps into the sensor's clear plastic bracket.
Each transmitter has a three-month battery life and should be discarded once that time has passed. The G6 transmitter provides glucose measurements via Bluetooth (with a range of around 20 feet) every 5 minutes to a smartphone app or a separate handheld touchscreen receiver, where the user can view the data.
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Cost
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10-Day Sensor
Water-resistant, the sensor can be worn in the shower or while swimming. The FDA has cleared it for use on the abdomen and upper buttocks. The sensor is designed to live for 10 days before shutting off, however sensors do occasionally fail early. In this scenario, the company will send a replacement to the customer.
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Warmup Time
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Fingerstick Free Sensor
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G6 Mobile App
Moreover, the circle displays an arrow that points in the direction thar you are trending. Below the circle is a graph with a dotted line that shows three hours' worth of glucose levels data.
The G6 also offers remote monitoring enabling you to see more than the last three hours' worth of CGM data. To see up to 24 hours of data, turn your phone horizontally and scroll backwards.
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Data Analysis
What’s more, the Dexcom G6 app has a built-in capability that allows up to 10 authorised followers to analyse data and trends remotely and monitor a user's glucose readings in real time.
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Interoperability
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Accuracy
According to the clinical research results, this is marginally more accurate than the FreeStyle Libre 2. Individual user experiences may vary, however many people with diabetes who have used both the Dexcom G6 and the FreeStyle Libre 2 report similar accuracy.
The Bottom Line
Both the Dexcom G6 and the FreeStyle Libre 2 have considerable benefits for glucose management, but each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that may affect user decision. The Dexcom G6 is by far the most accurate and ergonomic full-featured CGM on the market, but the FreeStyle Libre is a more "low-key tool" with fewer and fully customizable alerts and alarms.
The Dexcom G6's mobile app and data-sharing capabilities provide you more alternatives, and the "Urgent" alarms are especially helpful for folks who have frequent hypoglycemia, especially overnight. While the FreeStyle Libre will soon be linked into automated systems with insulin pumps, the Dexcom G6 now has the advantage in terms of interoperability. For many people, insurance coverage is still the most important consideration in deciding which CGM to use, and the FreeStyle Libre presently leads because of its lower price.
To put it another way, insurance destroys people's hearts. There's often no rhyme or reason (when it comes to coverage decisions), and this affects which CGM someone can use, regardless of their preferences. As a result, if everyone had access to a CGM, it would revolutionise the diabetic world.