FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor Alert: What Gentle Vet Clients Need to Know

Based on FDA Early Alert, content current as of December 2, 2025. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

What is going on with FreeStyle Libre sensors?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Early Alert about certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensors made by Abbott Diabetes Care. These specific sensors may sometimes give incorrect low glucose readings, which can lead to incorrect insulin dosing or carbohydrate intake decisions. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

At Gentle Vet, we know many of our clients (and some pets) rely on CGM technology, so we want to explain clearly what is affected, what is not affected, and what you should do next.

Which sensors are affected?

According to the FDA, the affected products are: (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

  • FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensor

    • Model Numbers: 72081-01, 72080-01

  • FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor

    • Model Numbers: 78768-01, 78769-01

Abbott has advised that certain lots of these sensors can give incorrectly low glucose readings. Over time, if those false lows are not recognized, they can lead to treatment decisions such as: (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

  • Taking extra carbohydrates unnecessarily

  • Skipping or delaying needed insulin doses

Those kinds of decisions can, in some cases, contribute to serious health complications, including injury or even death. As of November 14, 2025, Abbott has reported 736 serious injuries and 7 deaths associated with this issue. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

Very important: Which Libre products are not affected?

Per the FDA alert, no other Libre products are impacted by this issue. That means: (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

  • FreeStyle Libre 14 day sensors – NOT affected

  • FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors – NOT affected

  • FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensors – NOT affected

  • Libre Pro sensors – NOT affected

  • FreeStyle Libre 3 readers and mobile apps – NOT affected

At Gentle Vet, the vast majority of FreeStyle Libre systems we prescribe are FreeStyle Libre 2, which are not included in this alert or recall.

If your pet is using a Libre 2 sensor prescribed through Gentle Vet, this FDA alert does not apply to that device.

What is the actual concern?

It’s important to be clear about what this alert is – and what it isn’t:

  • The issue is data accuracy, not the physical safety of the sensor itself.

  • The concern is that some FreeStyle Libre 3 and 3 Plus sensors may report glucose levels that are falsely low. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

  • If those readings are trusted without question, they can lead to inaccurate dosing decisions (too little insulin, or extra carbs when they’re not needed).

In other words, the problem is not that the sensor is physically toxic or mechanically injuring people or pets. The risk comes from incorrect glucose information leading to incorrect treatment decisions over time.

What should you do if you or your pet uses FreeStyle Libre 3?

If you or your pet are using a FreeStyle Libre 3 or 3 Plus sensor (for example, if an outside provider prescribed it, or you purchased it elsewhere), the FDA and Abbott recommend: (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

  1. Check if your sensor lot is affected

  2. If your sensor is listed as potentially affected

  3. Double-check any readings that don’t match symptoms

    • If the glucose reading doesn’t fit how you (or your pet) look and feel, use a standard blood glucose meter or the built-in meter in the FreeStyle Libre 3 Reader to confirm before adjusting insulin or carbohydrates. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)

  4. Contact your medical provider

    • For your own diabetes care, contact your primary care provider or endocrinologist.

    • For pets under our care, contact Gentle Vet so we can review your pet’s glucose data, treatment plan, and whether any sensor changes are needed.

What does this mean for Gentle Vet patients?

  • Most Libre systems we prescribe are FreeStyle Libre 2 sensors, which are not affected by this alert.

  • For pets on Libre 2:

    • You do not need to change anything based on this alert alone.

    • Continue to monitor as instructed and contact us if readings ever conflict with how your pet seems clinically.

  • If you believe your pet is using a Libre 3 or Libre 3 Plus sensor, please:

    • Let our team know,

    • Check the sensor at FreeStyleCheck.com, and

    • Reach out so we can discuss options and monitoring.

Our goal is to keep you informed, lower your anxiety, and make sure your pet’s diabetes care stays as safe and accurate as possible.

Questions or concerns?

If you’re unsure which Libre system your pet is using, or if recent glucose readings don’t seem to match your pet’s behavior, please contact us. We’re happy to look at the device type, serial numbers, and glucose trends with you.

Contact Gentle Vet Animal Hospital (Green Bay, WI):
? Call us: (920) 435-5000
? Email: [email protected]
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