AlphaTrak 3 refill test strip question

Every new bottle of refills test strips comes with a 'Code strip' taped to the top of the bottle. The instructions say I need to insert this every time I use a new bottle of strips. I did not do this for my last bottle. Does this actually matter? What is the point of it?

I don’t know if it matters but when I insert it I see the cat is flashing so I hit the button once to confirm I am using for a cat.

I did it for the first and second, but haven't since. As long as the code pops up that's for cat calibration when you insert a test strip you're good. I do test one of the strips with the control solution for every new bottle though

@Laurie&Petey @GuppySeaweed

thanks! have you guys come across discounts for alphatrak refill strips or lancets? i am still trying to figure out the right dosage & having to test multiple times a day. i had no idea so many people used the human meters & the cost difference.

soreto said:

@Laurie&Petey @GuppySeaweed

thanks! have you guys come across discounts for alphatrak refill strips or lancets? i am still trying to figure out the right dosage & having to test multiple times a day. i had no idea so many people used the human meters & the cost difference.

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Unfortunately I have never seen a discount for the strips. The majority use human meters with great success, those people will retire earlier then I will

soreto said:

@Laurie&Petey @GuppySeaweed

thanks! have you guys come across discounts for alphatrak refill strips or lancets? i am still trying to figure out the right dosage & having to test multiple times a day. i had no idea so many people used the human meters & the cost difference.

Click to expand...

I have not I'm about to switch to a human meter now that I'm testing more than 2-3 times a day bc the strips will cripple me financially. As far as lancets go, I've been using the relion disposable safety lancets. For some reason I can't figure out a lancing device, but these guys are easy peasy and inexpensive

You need to insert the code chip (in theory) for each new vial. I say in theory bc if the code is the same as the previous vial maybe maybe potentially you don’t. I would still do it. Each batch quality tested for accuracy based on the attached chip. So I think in theory of the chip code changes then the strips may not read accurately.

I always inserted the new chip. Takes a second (quite literally). I believe someone posted about a year ago that they hadn’t been doing this and when they finally did their cats Bg numbers improved dramatically. Fwiw. I also did a Control Strip check each new vial (but that’s me an my boy was complicated). After coding the meter I put the chip in a tiny plastic bag (left over from the lancets that came with the chip) and kept it “just in case” until a new vial was opened (just in case the meter needed replacing)

soreto said:

@Laurie&Petey @GuppySeaweed

thanks! have you guys come across discounts for alphatrak refill strips or lancets? i am still trying to figure out the right dosage & having to test multiple times a day. i had no idea so many people used the human meters & the cost difference.

Click to expand...

Here are the lancets I use and like quite a bit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MUH2FAY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title. I freehand and don't use a lancing device because it scares Jude. These are more expensive than most lancets, but cheaper than the ATs.