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Home > Knowledge & support > Managing type 1 diabetes > Guide to type 1 diabetes technology > Flash glucose monitoring
A flash glucose monitor reduces the number of finger prick glucose tests you need to do. Flash can be a good way to measure your levels more easily and frequently than with blood glucose meters alone.
A flash glucose monitor is often known by its brand name, Freestyle Libre 2. This is the only kind of flash glucose monitoring available, as the technology has been largely overtaken by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). In fact, the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor works as a CGM when used with a smart-phone. It only works as flash if it is used with the dedicated reader.
You attach a sensor, which is about the size of a £2 coin, to the upper arm and keep this on for up to 14 days. A filament from the sensor sits under the skin to measure how much glucose there is in the fluid between blood vessels and cells (this is called interstitial fluid).
This filament is put in place with a needle which is then retracted back into the inserter. It all happens in an instant – all you need to do is press a button.
When you want to check your glucose levels, you scan or ‘flash’ your sensor with the handset that comes with the sensor to get a reading.
The reading gives you:
It’s recommended that you check any rapidly changing glucose readings or any readings which don’t match your symptoms with a finger prick measurement.
“I use a flash glucose sensor to closely monitor my current blood glucose and its trend. While I have developed a much better understanding of my body and how different things can affect my blood glucose levels, it is nice to know that my flash sensor will alert me if my level drops below my pre-defined limit.”
The Freestyle Libre 2 sensor works as flash when you use it with the handset that comes with it. This means that it only gives you a reading when you scan it with the handset.
If you use the Freestyle Libre 2 sensor with the Libre Link app on your smartphone, it works instead as a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and transmits data to your phone or handset all the time.
No, flash glucose monitors aren’t compatible with other tech, like insulin pumps. If you want to integrate your glucose measurement with your insulin intake, visit our guides on CGM, smart pens or hybrid closed loop technology.
The only flash sensor that is available is the FreeStyle Libre 2. The FreeStyle Libre 3 is a CGM, not flash.
Flash sensors cost around £50 each and last for up to 14 days.
Flash should be available on the NHS to anyone with type 1, but it can still depend on where you live. Find out whether you can access flash on the NHS in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Find out what's available to you on the NHS and how to access it.
Learn more about how continuous glucose monitoring can help you manage your glucose levels in real time.
Get information on blood glucose meters and how they work with flash glucose sensors
A smart insulin pen is a reusable self-injection pen, which records information about how much insulin you inject and the timing of it.
Blood glucose meters measure the amount of glucose in the blood. They are an important part of managing your blood glucose levels.
Continuous glucose monitoring can help you manage your glucose levels in real-time and relieve the burden of having to do multiple finger prick tests throughout the day.
A flash glucose monitor is a small wearable device that you scan with a reader or mobile phone to check your glucose levels.
Hybrid closed loop technology – also known as the artificial pancreas – automates many of the decisions that you have to make on a daily basis when you have type 1 diabetes.
Open source and DIY systems are sometimes used by people with type 1 diabetes or people caring for someone with type 1 to help manage the condition.
Apps can help you manage type 1 diabetes, from logging your insulin doses, glucose levels and the food you eat, to helping you count carbs and order prescriptions.
