Diabetes - Ctrl blog

A Samsung Galaxy smartphone showing the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 app icon on screen.

Diabetes

The deafening problem with the FreeStyle Libre 3 app for Android

People with diabetes use the app to monitor glucose levels and trigger alerts when it goes critical. Unfortunately, it raises the volume to uncomfortable levels.

The FreeStyle Libre 3 is about the size of two stacked 1 USD cents (or 5 Euro cent) coins.

Diabetes

FreeStyle Libre 3 miniaturizes real-time glucose monitoring

The new FreeStyle Libre 3 sensor is a true real-time glucose monitoring system and the market’s smallest CGM at a 70 % size-reduction compared to the old model.

The slightly worried-looking eyes of the famous David statue by Michelangelo.

Diabetes

I was terrified of an eyeball injection

I needed medication to preserve my sight, and it had to be injected directly into my eyeball. It’s a real thing and not just something they do in horror films.

An office chair with rollerblade-style wheels.

Hardware

Rollerblade wheels are a great upgrade for your office chair

Rollerblade-style wheels don’t resist movement and help you stay slightly less inactive while spending hours in your office chair.

A smartphone with the LibreLink app next to the FreeStyle Libre Reader device. Both device show the same 24-hour glucose graph.

Diabetes

FreeStyle Libre Reader device versus the LibreLink app

The pros and cons of using Abbott’s dedicated Reader device or the LibreLink mobile app to read your levels with the FreeStyle Libre flash-glucose Sensor.

A regular computer fan is installed inside a refrigerator to circulate air inside it. The fan is placed at the back on the top shelf.

Hardware

Normalize fridge temperatures by installing a small fan

I installed a PC-fan to improve air circulation in my aging combo refrigerator. The upgrade cut its power-bill by 29 % and it achieved more stable temperatures.

A round white medical sensor installed on the back of the upper arm. The sensor is descrete even though it’s installed just below the T-shirt line. The sensor is about the size of a chunky…

Diabetes

What’s it like to wear a FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring sensor?

My experiences with showering, sleeping, and living with a FreeStyle Libre 2 Sensor glued to the upper arm for up to 14 days. The convenience trumps all.

Diabetes

Bluetooth privacy and the FreeStyle Libre 2 glucose monitoring system

The FreeStyle Libre 2 can push critical glucose level alerts to your phone. Great for managing diabetes, but it also makes you trackable out in the world.

An open box of glucose test strips spills out on a green surface. Two different glucose meters sits next to it.

Diabetes

Contour Next Link vs Next One glucose meter

Compare the Contour Next Link (insulin pump companion) and Next One (stand-alone) glucose meters. Both are good tools for diabetes management.

An open box of glucose test strips with a Contour Next glucose meter next to it. Next to that, a smartphone with a view on the screen titled “Meter Settings” overlaid by an error message…

Android

Contour Diabetes app, Bluetooth, and why we can’t have nice things

The Contour Next glucose monitor and its companion app communicate with each other over Bluetooth. Well, they try to anyway.