Abbott's Libre Duo 10 Day becomes first US-approved wearable to monitor both glucose and ketones to combat diabetic ketoacidosis

Abbott has secured US FDA approval for its innovative Libre Duo 10 Day, a wearable sensor that continuously tracks glucose and ketones, aiming to enhance diabetic ketoacidosis prevention across all ages.

Abbott has won US Food and Drug Administration authorisation for the Libre Duo 10 Day, a wearable sensor that continuously tracks both glucose and ketones in people living with diabetes. The agency said the device is the first of its kind cleared in the US, and that it is intended for use in people aged two years and older. By pairing glucose monitoring with ketone tracking, the system is designed to spot warning signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA, before they become an emergency.

The approval matters because ketone testing has long relied on occasional finger-prick blood tests or urine strips, which can miss rising levels between checks. Abbott says the sensor provides continuous readings for up to 10 days, reducing the need for one-off measurements and giving users a fuller picture of their risk. The company also said the device will work with its latest Libre app and linked platforms for clinicians and caregivers.

The launch also reflects how diabetes technology is moving beyond glucose alone. Abbott said it is working on compatibility with automated insulin delivery systems from Beta Bionics, Insulet, MiniMed, Sequel Med Tech and Tandem. That comes as hospitals, researchers and patient groups continue to debate how far continuous glucose monitoring should be used outside the home, from inpatient care to devices that may ease the burden of daily management.

For many families, the appeal is practical as well as clinical. Continuous ketone sensing could be especially useful for pump users, young children and people taking SGLT2 medicines, where DKA risk can rise quickly and sometimes with less obvious symptoms. Still, questions remain about how often continuous ketone data will change care in routine practice, and whether it will prove to be an essential safeguard or a niche tool for selected patients.