Switching from Alpha Trak to ReliOn meter

I am getting low on my Alpha Trak 2 strips and am going to switch to the ReliOn Confirm. I know there are differences in the readings of pet and human meters so I need advice on how to interpret the BG readings when I do make the switch.
Thanks!

Three things:

1. Please update your signature in the user control panel, profile, edit profile to strikethrough the old meter name and type in the new meter after. We still want to know that you have used the Alphatrak because the numbers on your SS will reflect that.

To strike through the text, highlight the Alphatrak text with your cursor. Select the s from the edit command bar above the free form text box and that text should now show with a line across it. You can preview first to make sure it looks right.

Submit the change to save it.

2. The numbers between an Alphatrak and a human glucometer are about 30-40% different. At the low numbers, under 100, this is about 30 points. Here are two charts from BJM showing the ranges. test value ranges and this one glucometer values

3. Change in what the numbers mean. Normal versus hypo numbers.

<50 is a potential hypo situation and needs to be managed (was 80 with AT)
40-130 is normal BG (was 80-150 with AT)
200/250 is over the renal threshold (disagreement what the RT is even among experts)

Please test for ketones daily if BG is over the renal threshold.

Got it. Thanks, Deb!

It would be nice if you would get some tests of the same drop of blood with both meters to see what the difference is.
The following does not always show a 30-40% difference
http://www.felinediabetes.com/glucometer.htm

I have seen a few members get all caught up in the difference between the meters. Honestly I wouldnt worry about it. Use the new meter and keep the old one for emergencies. You may see different numbers for a few days until you get used it.. just trust the new meter and you will be fine.

Wendy

Larry, See Winks's spreadsheet. I did a side by side comparison of an Alphatrak 2 and a Relion Confirm for some time on the exact same blood drop. First line of data for a day is the Alphatrak, second line of data for a day is the Confirm. Note the differences. Roughly 30-40%. Yes, this was for just one cat and ECID. Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks to all for the input. I think I will test the same drop for a few readings if just for curiosity sake, but one thing I do know is do not take kindly to being "trapped" into buying something at several times the price (AlphTrak test strips) and being a "whipping boy" for big pharma.

I put the citation for the difference between meter types on one of the spreadsheets. It applies to a specific type of meter, ones basing the calculations on whole blood instead of plasma equivalent values. If you do a comparison, determine what kind of human glucometer you have and please note that in any data you share.

Whole blood and plasma equivelant meters.

Note the difference between the 2 types for humans is about 12%. Since we may be using some of the whole blood types for felines, the correction seems to be the 30-40% to correct for both using whole blood AND for adjusting for the species difference.

From ADW on human meter accuracy.

The WalMart ReliOn Confirm / Arkray Glucocard01 is plasma referenced

Wendy&Tiggy said:

I have seen a few members get all caught up in the difference between the meters. Honestly I wouldnt worry about it. Use the new meter and keep the old one for emergencies. You may see different numbers for a few days until you get used it.. just trust the new meter and you will be fine.

Wendy

Click to expand...

Like Wendy said, you can drive yourself insane getting caught up in the 20% variance in numbers and the difference between meters and the different types of blood measurement and the difference in numbers between blood sample size and human vs. pet and @-)

What matters most is picking one meter and sticking with it. Actions are generally taken based on a range of numbers (I.e. don't give a shot if the pre-test is under 200, under 50 is hypo territory on a human meter, etc...). You'll soon know how to translate the meter's numbers vs. all the other numbers floating about, so it doesn't really make much difference what specific number you actually get (264 or 324) vs. what action you would take (you would still give a shot).

The only reason I did side by side testing of the Alphatrak and the Relion Confirm was so that I could convince the shelter I got Wink from, that the human meter was accurate enough and they could buy cheaper test strips and save a whole lot of money.

It took me a while to convince them, that saving money could be a good thing.

BJM said:

I put the citation for the difference between meter types on one of the spreadsheets. It applies to a specific type of meter, ones basing the calculations on whole blood instead of plasma equivalent values. If you do a comparison, determine what kind of human glucometer you have and please note that in any data you share.

Whole blood and plasma equivelant meters.

Note the difference between the 2 types for humans is about 12%. Since we may be using some of the whole blood types for felines, the correction seems to be the 30-40% to correct for both using whole blood AND for adjusting for the species difference.

From ADW on human meter accuracy.

The WalMart ReliOn Confirm / Arkray Glucocard01 is plasma referenced

Click to expand...

Thanks for this information. I had no idea about the whole blood and plasma differences...still learning.

KPassa said:

Wendy&Tiggy said:

I have seen a few members get all caught up in the difference between the meters. Honestly I wouldnt worry about it. Use the new meter and keep the old one for emergencies. You may see different numbers for a few days until you get used it.. just trust the new meter and you will be fine.

Wendy

Click to expand...

Like Wendy said, you can drive yourself insane getting caught up in the 20% variance in numbers and the difference between meters and the different types of blood measurement and the difference in numbers between blood sample size and human vs. pet and @-)

What matters most is picking one meter and sticking with it. Actions are generally taken based on a range of numbers (I.e. don't give a shot if the pre-test is under 200, under 50 is hypo territory on a human meter, etc...). You'll soon know how to translate the meter's numbers vs. all the other numbers floating about, so it doesn't really make much difference what specific number you actually get (264 or 324) vs. what action you would take (you would still give a shot).

Click to expand...

Got it..probably be making the switch today and making some same drop comparisons for the record.

Deb & Wink said:

The only reason I did side by side testing of the Alphatrak and the Relion Confirm was so that I could convince the shelter I got Wink from, that the human meter was accurate enough and they could buy cheaper test strips and save a whole lot of money.

It took me a while to convince them, that saving money could be a good thing.

Click to expand...

And saving money is ALWAYS a good thing :!: