By Robin Foster HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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FRIDAY, July 26, 2024 (HealthDay News) — Abbott has warned diabetes patients that some of its continuous blood sugar monitoring systems may need to be replaced because of inaccurate readings.<\/p>\n
“Abbott has recently identified a small number of FreeStyle Libre 3 sensors that may provide incorrect high glucose readings, which if undetected may pose a potential health risk for people living with diabetes,” the company said in an alert<\/a> issued Thursday.<\/p>\n An inaccurate high blood sugar reading may prompt diabetes patients to take insulin when they don\u00e2\u0080\u0099t need it, the company said. That can trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), a condition that can become life-threatening if not recognized or addressed, according to the Mayo Clinic<\/a>.<\/p>\n Less than 1% of American users of the Libre 3 sensors are affected, with the affected devices being distributed in the first half of May, the company said.<\/p>\n Abbott added that it will replace the sensors at no charge. The company said people should\u00a0check the company’s website<\/a><\/ins>\u00a0to confirm whether their sensor is affected and then notify the company so a replacement sensor can be sent to their home. The sensors came from these three lot numbers, according to Abbott: T60001948, T60001966, T60001969.<\/p>\n Any adverse reactions with the use of these sensors should be reported to Abbott’s customer service line at 1-833-815-4273, the company said.<\/p>\n Such reports may also be sent to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program by completing Form FDA 3500 online at www.FDA.gov, calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or faxing to 1-800-FDA-0178, Abbott added.<\/p>\n A continuous glucose monitoring system uses a sensor, a reader and an app to help people with diabetes check their blood sugar without having to draw blood from their fingers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first\u00a0approved<\/a><\/ins> the Abbott devices in 2017.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has more on glucose monitoring systems<\/a>.<\/p>\n SOURCES: Abbott, news release, July 24, 2024<\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n