Identity theft and two-Factor authentication (or Two-factor HELL)--Part 2

 This pursued me over and over again. The following sites are well set up for handling this issue better than most.

https://www.irs.gov/  and https://www.medicare.uhc.com/aarp

The first one had a way to get back to the site without your telephone but you need a code that you used during registering your account. This code is browser specific and I had two, one each for Google's Chrome and Edge.

The AARP/United Health Care had a phone answering system that worked superbly. One problem was it is invariably connected with Medicare D. You have to know the prescription drug you purchased recently as well as your United Health Care details.

The problem with the banks continued and I had to get the temporary password from PNC Bank after satisfying all the different things they wanted to verify such as, recent transactions, drivers license etc.

The lesson from this incident was earned at high cost in time and number of telephone calls. Down leave a site without providing multiple ways of getting verified, preferably both email accounts and telephone numbers.

How do I get Glucose data from the FreeStyle Libre glucose sensor?

 I have been having glucose-related issues for many years. Although diagnostic data indicates I am diabetic, I am not taking any medication for diabetes. However, I was always concerned about its possible effects. While my lipid profiles were under safe 'standard values', I suffered a heart attack in 2022. I decided to look at my glucose values more closely to make adjustments in my lifestyle and diet. The only diagnostic at my disposal was the painful pricking of the finger and measuring with a strip. This is totally unsatisfactory as it can provide only a single data point. I have always wondered how healthcare providers make decisions on this single value measured in a doctor's office once in a couple of months.

Fortunately, I was able to get a Freestyle Libre glucose sensor (Freestyle Libre 14-day). Now, at least I have a tool to look at what I am eating and associate it with glucose levels. I have been having it for the past two days. The display available on the Libre Link app which is available for Android and iPhones is quite nice but I want to look at it more ways.  The Libre website gives access to this data on their website. 

The sensor gets data about interstitial glucose every 15 minutes and stores it on the website. Here is how you can get the data. 

These are screenshots of the steps I took to get the data on the website to my computer. It is a Dell laptop with Windows 64 OS and I also have Microsoft Excel on the computer.

This is Libre View from the Libre website

You need to agree before you proceed.

You need to log in to download data. This means you have purchased the sensor and also installed the Libre link app on your phone (Android or iPhone). Note that you have enabled two-factor authorization.

After being verified you got access to the site.

Now click Download Glucose data at the top-right corner.

Your data appears in your Downloads folder on your computer.

Here is a sample of the downloaded data.

I have clipped off some personal information.

Although I have shown a few columns, there are a lot more useful columns that contain data related to custom test times and notes associated with those events.

Hope this helps. 

Effects of Yoga using Freestyle CGM System- Will be published soon.