THE INFORMATION IN THE OBPHARM™ IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR USE BY THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
Use this page as a workflow aid for device selection and virtual follow-up. Always confirm device compatibility, indications, and safety information in current manufacturer labeling and clinic protocols.
Use this page as a workflow aid for device selection and virtual follow-up. Always confirm device compatibility, indications, and safety information in current manufacturer labeling and clinic protocols.
CGM Comparison: Dexcom vs Abbott FreeStyle Libre vs Medtronic
Focus: practical differences, pregnancy-use notes, and “how to run telemedicine” using each platform’s data-sharing tools.
Safety / device-correction note (FreeStyle Libre 3 / 3 Plus):
FDA and Abbott have posted a recent alert/medical device correction for certain FreeStyle Libre 3 and FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus sensors that may provide incorrect low glucose readings.
Use Abbott’s serial-number checker for affected sensors and follow the FDA/Abbott instructions for replacements and interim glucose confirmation as needed.
At-a-glance comparison (commonly used models)
| System (examples) | Wear time | Warm-up | Readings sent | Remote share (family/caregivers) | Clinic / telemedicine data portal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Dexcom G7 (commonly used) |
10 days (+ grace period noted in training resources) | 30 minutes | Every 5 minutes to phone app or receiver | Dexcom Share/Follow (up to 10 followers) | Dexcom Clarity (patient reports + clinic portal; remote review between visits) |
|
Abbott FreeStyle Libre Libre 3 (commonly used) |
14 days | 60 minutes (starts after scan/activation step depending on model/workflow) | Every minute to compatible smartphone app | LibreLinkUp (caregivers/family view readings & alarms) | LibreView (cloud-based; remote access for clinic; invite patients to share/upload) |
|
Medtronic Guardian 4 (often with MiniMed systems) |
Up to 7 days | 2 hours (system-dependent) | Sensor glucose sent to compatible Medtronic system / apps (model-dependent) | CareLink Connect (secondary display / care-partner tools; model-dependent) | CareLink Personal / CareLink Clinic (web-based uploads; can share automatically once linked) |
Notes: “Commonly used models” and workflows vary by country, payer rules, and device generation. Confirm the exact model your patient uses and the currently supported phone/OS compatibility before a telehealth visit.
Device profiles
Dexcom CGM
Clarity + Share/Follow
Examples: G7 / G6
Typical use-case: real-time CGM with alerts; strong “circle-of-support” sharing for family/caregivers; clinic review via Clarity.
Telemedicine tools
- Dexcom Clarity: identifies patterns and supports remote review/sharing with clinic.
- Dexcom Follow: allows remote viewing by followers (up to 10).
Practical workflow (virtual visit)
- Confirm patient is logged into their Dexcom account.
- Have patient connect/share data to your clinic in Dexcom Clarity (clinic code workflow).
- Review Clarity reports (TIR, AGP, patterns) before or during visit.
Support contact (U.S.)
Dexcom Technical Support (24/7): 844-607-8398
Dexcom Contact page
Abbott FreeStyle Libre
LibreView + LibreLinkUp
Examples: Libre 3 / Libre 2
Typical use-case: widely used CGM family; clinic sharing through a cloud portal; caregiver viewing via LibreLinkUp.
Telemedicine tools
- LibreView: secure cloud-based data storage and sharing with healthcare teams.
- LibreLinkUp: caregivers/family can receive glucose readings and alarms.
Practical workflow (virtual visit)
- Confirm patient is signed into their LibreView account in the FreeStyle Libre app.
- Invite/connect the patient to your clinic’s LibreView practice.
- Review standard LibreView reports (AGP, daily patterns) before visit.
Support contact (U.S.)
FreeStyle Customer Care / Sensor Support: 855-632-8658 (hours vary; see site)
Abbott FreeStyle Contact page
Device correction resources:
FreeStyleCheck
(serial-number lookup & replacement flow).
Medtronic CGM
CareLink
Example: Guardian 4 (often paired with MiniMed)
Typical use-case: Medtronic ecosystem users (pump + CGM); data sharing and reports via CareLink.
Telemedicine tools
- CareLink Personal: web-based tool to store device data and share directly with a healthcare professional by linking accounts.
- CareLink Clinic: clinic-facing dashboards/reports (implementation varies by region).
Practical workflow (virtual visit)
- Confirm patient has access to CareLink Personal.
- Have patient upload and link/share to the clinic so data arrives automatically (no in-office upload required).
- Review CareLink reports (patterns, time-in-range, device events) during visit.
Support contact (U.S.)
Medtronic Diabetes (toll-free): 1-800-646-4633 (menu includes 24/7 product/software assistance)
Medtronic Contact page
Pregnancy notes (quick)
Dexcom / Libre (general)
Pregnancy use noted
Check the exact model
- Some CGMs (e.g., Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 in the referenced comparison resource) are noted as approved/cleared for use in pregnancy; confirm the patient’s exact model and region-specific labeling.
- Always confirm symptoms with capillary glucose if CGM readings do not fit the clinical picture, especially during rapid glucose change or suspected hypoglycemia.
Medtronic ecosystem
Confirm labeling
Model- and system-dependent
- Indications and “treatment decision” labeling can differ by system mode and region; use current Medtronic documentation for the patient’s device configuration.
- For pregnancy (T1/T2/GDM), align CGM targets and insulin adjustments with your endocrinology/MFM protocols and ensure reliable remote data access (CareLink linkage) before telehealth follow-up.
Telemedicine checklist (copy/paste for clinic workflow)
- Before the visit: confirm device model; confirm phone/receiver in use; confirm data-sharing is active (Clarity / LibreView / CareLink).
- Data window: aim for ≥14 days of data when possible; note gaps (sensor-off time, connectivity, adhesive loss).
- Core review: time-in-range, overnight trends, postprandials, hypoglycemia frequency/awareness, and day-to-day variability.
- Documentation: save/export PDF reports (AGP-style) into chart.
- Safety: remind patient to confirm unexpected lows/highs with fingerstick when symptoms conflict with CGM or during rapid changes.
References & primary links
Comparisons / training
- ADCES (DANAtech). Comparing the Dexcom G7 and FreeStyle Libre 3 (updated Aug 1, 2024). https://www.adces.org/danatech/glucose-monitoring/continuous-glucose-monitors-(cgm)/cgm-selection-training/dexcom-g7-libre-3-comparison
Dexcom
- Dexcom Clarity overview: https://clarity.dexcom.com/ and https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/clarity
- Dexcom Follow (Share/Follow): https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/dexcom-follow
- Dexcom support/contact: https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/contact
Abbott FreeStyle Libre
- LibreView (overview): https://www.libreview.com/
- LibreView for professionals (examples): https://pro.libreview.io/articles/qsg
- LibreLinkUp: https://librelinkup.com/
- Abbott FreeStyle support/contact: https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/support/contact-us.html
- Abbott pregnancy-use FAQ (Libre 3): https://www.support.freestyle.abbott/hc/en-us/articles/16468765507473-Can-I-use-the-FreeStyle-Libre-3-system-if-I-am-pregnant
- Abbott device correction checker (if applicable): https://www.freestylecheck.com/us-en/home.html
Medtronic
- CareLink Personal: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/products/carelink-personal-diabetes-software
- Uploading to CareLink / linking to provider: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/customer-support/carelink-software-support/uploading-to-carelink-software
- Medtronic contact: https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/contact-us
- MiniMed 780G system user guide (Guardian 4 references): https://www.medtronicdiabetes.com/sites/default/files/library/download-library/user-guides/MiniMed-780G-system-user-guide-with-Guardian-4-sensor.pdf
FDA / safety communications
- FDA Early Alert (Abbott sensor issue): https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls-and-early-alerts/early-alert-glucose-monitor-sensor-issue-abbott-diabetes-care
UPDATED 12/15/2025