Abbott Fixes Faulty Glucose Monitors

Medical device maker Abbott recalled two glucose monitors that were giving users an incorrect low glucose reading. Over an extended period of time, wrong readings can lead people with diabetes to skip or delay insulin doses, according to the FDA.

Abbott is working to correct the problem. Users can visit the FreeStyleCheck website to see if their sensors are affected and to get a replacement at no charge. If you are currently using one of those models to monitor your glucose levels, you should stop using it and throw it away.

The FDA says this affects approximately 3 million FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus glucose sensors in the U.S., and half of those are probably expired or have been used. Abbott has received 736 reports about adverse events worldwide, with 57 in the U.S. Seven deaths have been reported, potentially related to the glucose monitor working incorrectly.

If you have questions, you can contact Abbott’s customer service center at 833-815-4273 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You can also chat with a live agent on the Abbott website.

Diabetes Facts

Approximately 38 million adults in the U.S. have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Of those, 12.3% start using insulin to control glucose levels in the first year, according to the CDC.

Common symptoms may go unnoticed as they are not obvious, but some symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Feeling thirsty a lot
• Feeling very hungry
• Extreme tiredness
• Blurry vision
• Cuts that heal slowly
• Unexplained weight loss
• Tingling in the hands or feet

Early detection is important, so check with your healthcare provider if you experience some of these symptoms.