Frequently Asked Questions

The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system is clinically proven to be accurate, stable and consistent over 14 days. It does not require finger prick calibration and may be used in place of routine finger prick glucose testing.

In a clinical study¹⁹, the FreeStyle Libre system achieved 11.4% mean absolute relative difference (MARD) compared to blood glucose testing.

Footnote:

¹⁹ Bailey Timothy., et al. The Performance and Usability of a Factory-Calibrated Flash Glucose Monitoring System. Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics v17 n11 July 2015 (10.1089/dia.2014.0378)

Use the supplied disposable applicators to apply the FreeStyle Libre sensor to the back of your upper arm. It should stay in place for up to 14 days, even while you shower, swim, bathe or exercise⁶.

Please follow the instructions found in the user manual for skin preparation and application.

Learn more (PDF 241 kB)

You can pay quickly and securely online via credit card or debit card.

It normally takes up to 3 working days to process and deliver your order, assuming it's placed and paid for successfully before 2pm.

You can check the status of your order 24/7. Simply look up the tracking number on your shipment update to see the current status of your order.

You can buy the FreeStyle Libre system if recommended by your healthcare professional, or from the following locations:

- Guardian RX store (in Changi Airport – Terminal 1 & 2)

- Guardian RX store (Marina Bay Sand Outlet)

- Watson RX Store (in Changi Airport – Terminal 3 & 4)

- Mustafa Center Retail Pharmacy

- Singapore General Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- National University Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- Changi General Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- Tan Tock Seng Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- KK Woman and Children Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- Admiralty Medical Centre Retail Pharmacy

- Seng Kang General Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- Khoo Tech Puat Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- Ng Teng Fong General Hospital Retail Pharmacy

- All National Health Group Polyclinic Retail Pharmacy

- All Singhealth Polyclinic Pharmacy

- All National University Polyclinic Retail Pharmacy

FreeStyle Libre is the first flash glucose monitoring system. It is designed to liberate people with diabetes from many of the hassles of glucose monitoring, such as routine finger pricks².

The FreeStyle Libre system contains two components:

1. FreeStyle Libre sensor - A small, disposable 14-day sensor that is worn on the back of the upper arm and automatically measures glucose levels, storing them for 8 hours. Every time you scan the reader over the sensor, the glucose data from the sensor is transferred to the reader in just one second.

2. FreeStyle Libre reader - A compact, handheld reader that displays glucose readings and stores up to 90 days of glucose data. When the reader is scanned over the sensor, it shows a current glucose reading, the last 8 hours of data and a trend arrow indicating if glucose is going up, down or staying steady.

To obtain a glucose reading, simply perform a quick, one-second scan of the reader over the sensor. This gives you more information than blood glucose monitoring, without the need for routine finger pricks².

The FreeStyle Libre reader and sensor should be stored between 4°C to 25°C.

No, we cannot deliver to addresses outside Singapore. FreeStyle Libre sensors are programmed for sale in a specific market and are compatible with readers sold in that market. FreeStyle Libre sensors in Singapore are not necessarily compatible with FreeStyle Libre readers in other markets. In addition, differing national regulations governing the import of medical devices mean the FreeStyle Libre system cannot be delivered to other countries.

Traditional blood glucose monitoring provides users with glucose readings that represent distinct points in time. Users do not get information about how their glucose levels have been changing or where their glucose levels are heading. This means it can be easy to miss glucose fluctuations. The FreeStyle Libre system, which is based on flash glucose monitoring, is a new way to obtain glucose readings. It allows the user to get their current glucose reading by just scanning the reader over the sensor, and also provides a complete picture of glucose variations.

View our video to learn more.

Flash glucose monitoring is a new, user-friendly way to discreetly obtain glucose readings. A flash glucose monitoring system provides a complete picture, showing the current glucose reading as well as how glucose levels are changing, simply by just scanning the reader over the sensor.

With a quick scan of the reader over the sensor, users get a complete picture of their glucose - including the current glucose reading, 8 hour historical line graph, and trend arrow showing if their glucose level is going up, down or staying steady.

To obtain a glucose reading, simply perform a quick one-second scan of the reader over the sensor.

This quick scan gives you more information than a blood glucose test, without the need for routine finger pricks². The FreeStyle Libre system also offers software to generate concise reports that provide a clear analysis of your glucose data.

Yes, glucose readings based on interstitial fluid (ISF) are a reliable indicator of blood glucose levels³².

The physiological lag in ISF glucose, with respect to changes in blood glucose, is about 5-10 minutes,which is unlikely to impact routine day-to-day treatment decisions³².
The average lag time of the FreeStyle Libre system is approximately 4.5 minutes¹⁹.

No. For convenience, there is a FreeStyle Optium blood glucose and ketone meter built-in to the reader that can be used for blood glucose and ketone readings.

The FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system can measure interstitial fluid glucose levels in people aged 4 and above with diabetes mellitus. Children aged 4 to 17 should be supervised by a caregiver who is at least 18 years old. The caregiver is responsible for supervising, managing, and assisting the child in using the FreeStyle Libre system and interpreting its readings.

The FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System offers a Trend Arrow with each glucose reading that gives you an indication of the direction your glucose is going. To include the picture rather than words:

'Flash' refers to users being able to obtain glucose readings quickly by just scanning the reader over the sensor. Flash glucose monitoring easily provides meaningful insights to people with diabetes and their healthcare professionals.

No, the FreeStyle Libre sensor is factory-calibrated during the manufacturing process. It has been proven to safely and successfully replace routine self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and deliver important clinical benefits.^28,33

Yes, you can use the built-in meter to check your blood ketone levels using FreeStyle Optium ß-ketone test strips.You should perform a blood ketone test on your fingertip only. Be sure to read the test strip instructions before using the built-in meter.

We are committed to making our products safe. After the insertion, the sensor and the body need to equilibrate (or settle). Our research suggests it is not always easy to accurately measure glucose in the body until this equilibration happens. By letting the system equilibrate for one hour, users can be sure they receive accurate glucose readings.

This product should be disposed of in accordance with all applicable local regulations related to the disposal of electronic equipment, batteries, sharps, and materials potentially exposed to body fluids.

Contact Customer Service for further information on appropriate disposal of system components. .

Connect the FreeStyle Libre reader to your PC and it will prompt you to a one-time download of a device driver file. Ensure that you are using the most updated Internet browser when initiating the download.

Currently, data upload from Mac-operating computers and Microsoft Edge browser are not supported. The LibreView is compatible with a Microsoft-operating computer with Windows 7 or higher.

Call our Customer Care Team at 1 800 272 2881 or +65 3158 2577 and enter '3' to get connected to a dedicated LibreView support.

Alternatively, more information can be found here:

LibreView for Patients

LibreView for Health Care Professionals

The FreeStyle LibreLink app is a mobile medical app designed to work with FreeStyle Libre sensors. The app enables you to monitor your glucose using your iPhone or Android phone⁹ with a FreeStyle Libre sensor — there is no need to use a separate blood glucose meter for routine glucose monitoring.² When you scan the sensor with a compatible phone that’s running the FreeStyle LibreLink app, your glucose data is displayed directly on that device.

With the app you can:

• View your current glucose reading, a trend arrow, which indicates how your glucose is changing, and the last 8-hours of glucose history
• See glucose reports, including your Ambulatory Glucose Profile, which reveal trends and patterns
• Add notes to track your food, insulin use, exercise, and other events
• Connect to healthcare professionals and caregivers with LibreView and LibreLinkUp¹³

To use the FreeStyle LibreLink app, you must register with LibreView, a cloud-based diabetes management system provided by Abbott and Newyu, Inc. Please see the product labeling for FreeStyle Libre and the FreeStyle LibreLink app for specific instructions on using the different products, including the supported age range.

Important: You must have a compatible iPhone or Android phone to install and use the app (See Compatibility Guide).

⁹ The FreeStyle LibreLink app is compatible with NFC enabled phones running Android OS 5.0 or higher and with iPhone 7 and OS 11 and higher.

² A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the system or when symptoms do not match the system readings.

¹³LibreLinkUp is compatible with Android phone running Android OS 4.4 and higher and iPhones running iOS 10 and higher.

The app is designed to work with iPhones and Android phones that meet the following minimum requirements. You can also check the compatibility guide for additional information.

iOS:

• iPhone models: iPhone 7 or higher
• Operating system: iOS 11 or higher

Android:

• Operating system: Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher
• Near-Field Communication (NFC): Your phone must have NFC capabilities and NFC must be enabled

Yes, the FreeStyle LibreLink app is approved by Health Science Authority (HSA) in Singapore. 

No, the FreeStyle LibreLink app is the only app that has been tested by Abbott Diabetes Care to be compatible with FreeStyle Libre sensors. The FreeStyle LibreLink²² app was developed to ensure compliance with local regulations, including safety and performance requirements in accordance with the intended use. Any product that is intended to be compatible with FreeStyle Libre sensors would also need to comply with these regulations as well.

²² Use of the FreeStyle LibreLink app requires registration with LibreView, a service provided by Abbott and Newyu, Inc.

NFC is the wireless communication technology that enables your FreeStyle Libre sensors to wirelessly transmit data to another device.

For Android users: Your Android phone must have NFC capabilities and NFC must be enabled. Many of the latest Android phones support NFC. Check your phone's manual or go to the phone’s Settings menu and look for settings related to ‘NFC’, ‘Connections’, ‘Sharing’, or ‘Wireless & Networks.’

For iPhone users: You must have an iPhone 7 or higher running iOS 11 or higher to utilize the NFC capability needed to scan the FreeStyle Libre sensor.

The app has the same indications for use as the FreeStyle Libre system. Please see the FreeStyle Libre system indications for use for your country.

Android:

After you’ve applied a FreeStyle Libre sensor to the back of your upper arm, open the app and hold the back of your Android phone near (exact distance will vary by phone) the FreeStyle Libre sensor to scan it. The size and location of the NFC antenna in Android phones varies by make and model, so you may have to move the phone around to find the best position for scanning the FreeStyle Libre sensor.

Once you have found the optimal scan position, wait for the app to produce two distinct tones or vibrations before you move the phone away from the FreeStyle Libre sensor. The first tone indicates the phone’s NFC has recognized the sensor. The second tone indicates the scan is complete.

iPhone:

After you’ve applied a FreeStyle Libre sensor to the back of your upper arm, open the app and tap one of the scan buttons within the app to put the iPhone in a scan ready state. There are two types of scan buttons – a blue button on the Home screen and a gray scan icon in the top right corner of most screens. Hold the top edge of your iPhone near the sensor and do not move your iPhone until you hear a tone and/or feel a vibration, which indicates the scan is complete.

You may or may not have to remove your phone case – it depends on the material that the case is made from, how thick the case is, and how well your phone’s NFC antenna works. If your phone case is made from plastic or silicone or another non-conductive material, you will probably be able to scan the sensor without removing the case. If the case is aluminum, metal or anything else that has a conductive surface, you may need to remove the case before scanning your sensor. The thickness of the case can also make a difference. If your case is very thick, it could prevent the phone from scanning the sensor.

Yes. The app was developed using the same technology that is in the FreeStyle Libre reader for receiving and processing glucose data, so it can also be used for routine glucose monitoring. The app can be used instead of or in combination with the FreeStyle Libre reader. 

There’s no need to use a separate blood glucose meter for routine testing.² The app allows you to get glucose results as often as you like by simply scanning your FreeStyle Libre sensor with your phone.

However, a finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels, if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the Sensor, or when symptoms do not match the Sensor readings.

²A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the system or when symptoms do not match the system readings.

You can choose to monitor your glucose levels with either the app, the reader, or both¹¹. You can use the FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader with the same sensor, as long as you start the sensor with the reader first, and then scan the newly started sensor with your phone.

Remember that the FreeStyle LibreLink app and FreeStyle Libre readers do not share data with each other. For example, if you switch between your reader and the app, you may see gaps in your glucose data, which will affect the reports available through the reader, the FreeStyle LibreLink app, and LibreView. It is important to continue scanning your sensor with either the app or the reader at least once every eight hours so you and your healthcare professional can get a complete picture of your glucose trends and patterns.

¹¹The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader have similar but not identical features. A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the LibreLink app or when symptoms do not match the FreeStyle LibreLink app readings.

The FreeStyle LibreLink app is intended to be used with only one sensor (and one person) at a time. Each app account is associated with one person. However, people who use the FreeStyle LibreLink app can connect with their caregivers if they are using a separate app called LibreLinkUp. LibreLinkUp allows caregivers to remotely monitor glucose readings performed by their love ones.

Yes. People with diabetes can use FreeStyle Libre sensors with the app to better understand the impact of actions like eating, exercise, and taking insulin based on their glucose levels. They can also make day-to-day therapy decisions when using the app with a FreeStyle Libre sensor, including insulin dosing decisions, based on guidance from their healthcare professional.

Yes. If you use an Android phone, you may need to go to your phone’s settings and reactivate NFC when your phone is in airplane mode. You can scan with your iPhone in airplane mode by tapping one of the scan buttons in the app to put it in a scan ready state.

Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection are only required for initial app setup (downloading / installing the app, creating an account, or signing in) and sharing your glucose information with your care team or with other connected apps. The app does not require a Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection to scan your sensor or to record your current glucose readings. During periods when your phone is operating in a disconnected state, your data will only be uploaded to LibreView after a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection is restored.

No, the FreeStyle LibreLink app is meant to be used as often as you like and should not have a noticeable effect on battery life beyond your normal usage patterns.

If your phone battery dies, charge your phone to continue using the FreeStyle LibreLink app. Your data will not be lost if the phone battery dies and you can scan the sensor while the phone is being charged.

The FreeStyle LibreLink app is not supported on rooted Android phones or jailbroken iPhones.

After installing the FreeStyle LibreLink app, tap Sign In. Then, tap Forgot Password. Enter the e-mail address that was used to create the account and follow the on-screen instructions. You will receive an e-mail with a link to reset your password. Follow the link to create a new password, then sign into your account using your new password.

The FreeStyle LibreLink app is currently available in the following languages:

• Arabic
• Chinese – Simplified
• Chinese – Traditional
• Danish
• Dutch
• English – United Kingdom
• English – United States
• Finnish
• French – Canada
• French – France
• German
• Greek
• Hebrew
• Italian
• Japanese
• Korean
• Norwegian
• Polish
• Portuguese – Brazil
• Portuguese – Portugal
• Russian
• Spanish – Latin America
• Spanish – Spain
• Spanish – United States
• Swedish
• Turkish

Note: The FreeStyle LibreLink app is displayed in the same language as your phone’s operating system language. If you wish to use the FreeStyle LibreLink app in a different language, choose from one of the supported languages in your phone’s system settings. The FreeStyle LibreLink app will update the next time it is opened. If the FreeStyle LibreLink app doesn’t support the language set on your phone, the app will display text in English (US).

Android users can download the FreeStyle LibreLink app from the Google Play Store. iPhone users can download the FreeStyle LibreLink app from the Apple App Store. Please note that the app may not be available for download if the app is not approved for use in your country or your phone is not compatible with the app.

The app will display a clock icon on the glucose graph to indicate when there has been a time change. It is necessary to use the correct time for accurate reports. If your phone’s time is not set to update automatically, you will need to update your phone’s time settings in order to continue using the app.

• Sharing: Reports in the FreeStyle LibreLink app can be shared directly from the phone. You can connect the reader to the computer with a USB cable to upload data.
• Viewing: The reader features a simple color touchscreen. Graphs are displayed in more color and higher resolution in the app.
• Notes: You can add notes in the reader within 15 minutes of a glucose reading. The app allows you to add and view notes at any time in the Logbook. 
• Text to Speech: If enabled in the app, you can hear the glucose reading with the unit of measure and trend arrow direction after each scan.
• Reports: The reader and the app use the same calculations to create glucose reports. Compared to the Reader, reports in the app will have more color, details, and interactivity. The app can also display an estimate of your A1c, in addition to basic stats about your glucose history in the last 24 hours.
• Reminders: The app allows you to easily set custom reminders, as well as an 8-hour timer that resets every time the sensor is scanned. App notifications on your phone must be enabled to see reminders.

Other: The reader has a port for test strips, so it can be used both for scanning sensors and blood glucose readings. 

The app includes a series of reports that highlight your glucose trends and patterns. From the main menu select the report you wish to see.

• Daily Patterns: A graph showing the pattern and variability of the sensor glucose readings over a typical day. Includes the median, 25^th -75^th percentile, and 10^th-90^th percentile range of the glucose readings.
• Time in Target: A graph showing the percentage of time the sensor glucose readings were above, below, or within the Target Glucose Range.
• Low Glucose Events: Information about low glucose events measured by the sensor. A low glucose event is recorded when the sensor glucose reading is lower than 3.9 mmol/L (70 mg/dL) for longer than 15 minutes.
• Average Glucose: Information about the average sensor glucose readings for different periods of the day.
• Daily Graph: A graph of the sensor glucose readings by day.
• Estimated A1c: Estimate of A1c (HbA1c) based on sensor glucose data from the last 90 days. A1c can be used as an indicator of how well glucose levels have been controlled and may be used to monitor a diabetes treatment regimen.

Sensor Usage: Information about how often the sensor is scanned.

A minimum of 5 days of sensor data is required for an estimated A1c to be calculated.

E-mail or text reports directly from the app by tapping the share icon that’s displayed at the bottom of each report available within the app. You can also show the reports on your phone to your doctor or nurse during your next appointment. LibreView may also be an option if your doctor has set it up for patients to share data (more information about LibreView below).

LibreView is a cloud-based diabetes management system provided by Abbott and Newyu, Inc.  LibreView provides a secure repository for data from your FreeStyle LibreLink app, and allows you to easily share your glucose data with your healthcare professional or others, if you wish. Data is automatically²¹ uploaded to LibreView when your phone is connected to the Internet.

²¹The user must be connected to the internet in order for their glucose data to automatically upload to LibreView.

LibreView is used to manage your account information and enables detailed reporting and data sharing. Once the app is installed and you accept the terms of use, you will need to create a LibreView account in order to start using the app. LibreView allows you to share your glucose data with your healthcare professional and other apps that connect with FreeStyle LibreLink app.

The app stores your account information, glucose data, notes, and sensor information within the app on your phone, so it is your responsibility to limit access to your phone to protect personal information. The app also automatically uploads this data in LibreView, a secure cloud-based data repository. Please read the Privacy Notice for more information.

Abbott and its partners comply with all applicable data protection and privacy laws in users' jurisdictions. Please read the End User License Agreement and Terms of Use or the Privacy Notice within the app or at freestylelibre.com to ensure that you are comfortable with the data handling practices that govern the use of the app and LibreView; otherwise, you should not install the app.

If you lose your phone, download the app again on a compatible phone and sign in with your account information. If you have an active sensor and need to reinstall the app, when you sign into your existing account, you can continue using your active sensor until the end of its useful life. You will not be able to view historical data in the new installation of the app, but this data will be available in LibreView.

No, your glucose data from the FreeStyle LibreLink app will not be synced with FreeStyle Libre desktop software. The FreeStyle LibreLink app data is only stored by and visible through LibreView.

LibreLinkUp is a companion app to the FreeStyle LibreLink app, which allows glucose readings to be automatically shared with your caregivers in near real-time. Both you and your caregiver must have a network connection to share and receive glucose readings. To add a LibreLinkUp connection through the FreeStyle LibreLink app, simply tap Share in the main menu and follow the on-screen instructions. 

Yes, with your permission, the app is able to share glucose data with certain other apps.  View the Share menu within the FreeStyle LibreLink app to see what other apps are available for sharing in your region.

If you have any questions about the app or your data, including questions on how to close your LibreView account, go to FreeStyleLibre.com.sg for customer support contact information.

⁹The FreeStyle LibreLink app is compatible with NFC enabled phones running Android OS 5.0 or higher and with iPhone 7 and higher running OS 11 and higher.

¹¹The FreeStyle LibreLink app and the FreeStyle Libre reader have similar but not identical features. A finger prick test using a blood glucose meter is required during times of rapidly changing glucose levels when interstitial fluid glucose levels may not accurately reflect blood glucose levels or if hypoglycaemia or impending hypoglycaemia is reported by the Sensor or when symptoms do not match the Sensor readings.

¹²LibreLinkUp is a mobile application, developed and provided by Newyu. Use of LibreLinkUp requires registration with LibreView, a service provided by Abbott and Newyu, Inc. Data charges may apply when downloading the LibreLinkUp app. FreeStyle Libre readers and sensors are provided by Abbott.

²⁰To use both the FreeStyle Libre reader and the FreeStyle LibreLink app with the same sensor, start the sensor with the reader first and then scan with the app. Data is not synchronized between devices, so to ensure your reports include all available data choose one device that you will use to scan your sensor at least once every 8 hours.

²¹The user must be connected to the internet in order for their glucose data to auto

²²Use of the FreeStyle LibreLink app requires registration with LibreView, a service provided by Abbott and Newyu, Inc.