People living with diabetes know that medical imaging procedures like X-rays, CT scans and MRIs can become an all-too-familiar routine: attend appointments, remove your clothes, hold still and, if you’re wearing one, remove your continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor.

But do you know which CGM you no longer have to remove? Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems sensors. That’s right: staying on top of your glucose levels just got simpler.

Abbott rigorously tested its FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems sensors to ensure they remain effective after radiological procedures. ¹ This testing led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to clear the removal of the contraindication requirement with no change made to the sensor. The sensors can be worn during imaging procedures including:

• MRIs¹
• CT scans
• X-rays, including mammograms

This makes Abbott’s systems the first and only patient-applied CGM sensors approved for such screenings.

One less thing to remove before a scan? Now that’s convenient. FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 systems users can now keep their CGM sensor on for the full wear time, making diabetes management more convenient and cost-effective.

CGM systems empower people with diabetes to self-manage by continuously monitoring glucose levels. This real-time visibility provides the crucial information needed to effectively manage diabetes, showing how food, medication and activities impact your body. Our FreeStyle Libre CGM systems do this with the help of a small sensor attached to the back of your upper arm and can be worn for up to 14 or 15 days* depending on the sensor.

“Taking off your CGM sensor for imaging scans causes a disruption to diabetes management,” said Megan O’Neill, senior manager of medical engagement for Abbott’s diabetes care business. “In that case, you don’t have the information you rely on to make the decisions you need to make. You have to figure out how to get another sensor, contact your healthcare team, and deal with insurance. This simple ask to remove the sensor can really escalate these pain points.”

Now that FreeStyle 2 and 3 systems sensors can remain on during these procedures, insurance, out-of-pocket costs and other obstacles are no longer a headache you have to deal with.

“This new offering is really a continuation of our commitment to making diabetes care as seamless and affordable as possible, so people can make progress along their diabetes journey with fewer challenges,” O’Neill said.

References

*FreeStyle Libre 2 and 3 Plus sensors can be worn for up to 15 days.

¹MRI Safety Conditions: Sensor readings may be compromised during the MRI, but System function returns fully back to normal after 1 hour. Scanning between the pelvis and sternum (3T scanners) should be limited to 12 minutes maximum with a cooling period of 2 minutes in between scans. All other areas (1.5T scanners) can scan for up to 1 hour continuously without a cooling period.