2 different meters / 2 vastly different readings. please help.

[Shell]

Hello. I am using a Care Sense N human meter. This is the meter I use 99% of the time. We are getting 344 on my go to meter - Care Sense N. However, I decided to combine this test with my backup True Metrix 60 human meter. On the True Metrix 60, at the same time the reading is 281. A 63 point difference.

I'm really bothered by this because we see how this can be a real problem. So I took a second test with the cat meter - Alpha Trak lll and that meter reads 318 which is in the middle. I am beside myself.

Is there any advice on which meter may be better? Care Sense human meter or True Metrix human meter? At the rate of a few to several tests a day, using the cat meter all the time is not feasible, the strips are far too costly.

Could a low battery cause any issue? I'm not aware of the battery being low on any meter, but I need to figure this out before there's a problem.

 

[CORKY]

Hello. I am using a Care Sense N human meter. This is the meter I use 99% of the time. We are getting 344 on my go to meter - Care Sense N. However, I decided to combine this test with my backup True Metrix 60 human meter. On the True Metrix 60, at the same time the reading is 281. A 63 point difference.

I'm really bothered by this because we see how this can be a real problem. So I took a second test with the cat meter - Alpha Trak lll and that meter reads 318 which is in the middle. I am beside myself.

Is there any advice on which meter may be better? Care Sense human meter or True Metrix human meter? At the rate of a few to several tests a day, using the cat meter all the time is not feasible, the strips are far too costly.

Could a low battery cause any issue? I'm not aware of the battery being low on any meter, but I need to figure this out before there's a problem.

Most of the members here use the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, very reliable and inexpensive if you are in US the monitor at Walmart is $18.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and $17.99 for 100 and no batteries needed

 

[Shell]

Most of the members here use the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips, very reliable and inexpensive if you are in US the monitor at Walmart is $18.99 and the strips are $9.00 for 50 and $17.99 for 100 and no batteries needed

That's very helpful. Thank you!

 

[CORKY]

That's very helpful. Thank you![/QUOTE
Any time!

 

[Diane Tyler's Mom GA]

Here is the link for the meter and test strips so you don't have to search for them
Relion Premier Classic Meter at Walmart for 9 dollars
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-CLASSIC-Blood-Glucose-Monitoring-System/552134103

The tests strips are 17.88 for 100
https://www.walmart.com/ip/ReliOn-Premier-Blood-Glucose-Test-Strips-100-Count/575088197
At least if you need more test strips you can run into Walmart and pick them up or if you're running low you can just order them from Walmart

When you decide which meter you will be using can you add that to your signature please
@Shell

 

[Wendy&Neko]

Meter manufacturers are allowed a certain variation in results, depending on country. It could be as much as 20%. Which in high numbers like 300's, could be as much as 60 points out (or more). In lower numbers, where it's much more important to be accurate, the numbers will be much closer together. I've seen people use any one of the three meters you mention. Our guidance is to pick one meter, and stick with it. The variability can drive you crazy. And honestly, 344 and 281 are within meter variance, and both tell me the blood sugar numbers are too high. We wouldn't do anything different for dosing whether the number was 344 or 281.

 

[SmallestSparrow]

The AT3 has an accuracy of +/- 15% on numbers over 100. So 318 means if you actually had the blood tested in a lab it likely is a number between 270 and 366. Does this mean your two human meters will always read higher or lower? No. They also have variance PLUS there’s a non quantifiable amount off because the meters are designed to test human blood which stores glucose differently than cat blood. At numbers this high they are all essentially the same number all essentially high.
In addition, it’s very important that you take care of the strips because that’s where the magic happens. Strip should be stored in the vial that they come in or the foil packet that they come in and they should be kept away from temperature extremes or humidity. You should also check the expiration date. Finally, you may want to do control solution checks on the strips in the meters and that will give you an idea if there’s a problem with the meter or the strips. If there’s going to be a problem, they will likely be in the strips.