Alphatrak vs. Human Glucometer

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gabriella christie

Member Since 2016
Hi all,
Iv'e been reading all of your opinions about how to home test.
I bought the alpha track 2 just because i wanted to see how different the meters were in comparison….

Tonight i tested them on the same blood sample…

Alpha trak -338
Human Glucometer (RElion) -190

All i have been reading is that the numbers are SIMILAR not the same but this doesn't seem like similar to me, right? or is that how they read differently…anyone want to put their input in? I was using the relion for a couple days thinking that Kalvin's blood sugar was in the clear
 
I know when I take smoky to his vet they use Alpha Trak and I take my relion meter to compare with. The relion meter reads a bit lower, usually anywhere from 10 to 15 % is what I have heard on here. Remember though, BG is always higher in the vets office than when home testing.

I have tested Smoky at home and then gone to the vets office an hour later. I compare my meter and there was a difference of anywhere between 100 and 150.
 
I'm not as experienced as others on this forum. I'm sure some of them will chime in soon to help you out with this. I wish I could afford to buy a pet meter but the strips are too expensive
 
I know they are!.. i just sucked it up and broke the bank a little more…I just wanted to be able to compare to the vets glucometer…which is the alpha trak.
 
Don't feel bad, I am busy trying to pay off my credit card, first when smoky had to see a specialist for allergies and then the upfront costs for his diagnosis and treatment for his diabetes. Around $2000 o_O before that he had surgery for stones from a urinary blockage. I finally paid that off 6 months ago, another $3000 I think.:facepalm:
 
See my signature link on human and lab glucose tests for some details.
In the US, glucometers are allowed to read within 20% of what a lab would get.
 
gabriella christie said:
All i have been reading is that the numbers are SIMILAR not the same
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The only time I would expect to see the numbers on a pet meter and human meter to be "similar" are when the readings are in the low ranges.

Lisa and Smoky said:
The relion meter reads a bit lower, usually anywhere from 10 to 15 % is what I have heard on here.
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There is no percentage or number of points you can use to compare/convert between human and pet meter numbers. Generally the higher the reading the greater the difference between them. When you take into consideration the 20% variance allowance on both meters, the difference between them will not always be the same as one meter could be reading high and one low for that particular reading making the difference look even larger.

I have been dual testing for over a year for personal research and have found that the meter differences differ and fluctuate. Bear in mind that different brands of human meters are more accurate at low readings, some at moderate readings and some at high levels. Because of this, your differences would not necessarily replicate mine. I use my AT2 meter readings as my "guide" to dosing and my suggestion is to pick one meter and use it because consistency of the source of the readings is just as important as the actual numbers.
 
FWIW

I used a human meter for the following reasons
1) cost soooo much cheaper, and I wanted to be able to monitor closely
2)availability of strips at short notice (from any pharmacy) if I ran unexpectedly low
3) George was on lantus, and since both dosing methods make reference to human meters, not the AT and since there is no conversion that we can confidently use, I chose to keep things simple.

I know of a number of folk that regularly use a human meter, but keep the AT as a back up or for taking readings when there vet requests a curve for example.
 
I like the AT2. I found out that FreeStyle Light strips works in the AT2 and costs about $35 at Amazon. I can find better prices on just about everything Callie needs by going online.
 
JanetNJ said:
I know the human ones are cheaper, but I like having the same readings as my vet.
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For me as my bet didn't really give me any guidance on dosing and I was going to follow the TR protocol I felt it was more important to use the type of meter that was used in the study, (ie a human meters) that way I was working to the reference ranges in the study and could feel more confident when it came to making dosing decisions. It was just much more clear cut, no grey areas.

Funnily my vet recommended I use a human meter.

Most of us have more than one meter, I have three, I learnt the hard way,George swooshes his tail and sent the met into his water fountain:eek:, leaving me making the mad dash to the pharmacy before it shut for the night.
So I would recommend a back up, no harm in having one human one at, then if your vet wants numbers you can take them with the at and send them to him, but day to day you can keep the cost down considerably by using a human meter. Before George wwnt of the juice I was testing at least 8-10 times a day. Do the maths, the savings are considerable, and what's important is that you can manage his BG just as well with a human meter.

donnalea said:
I like the AT2. I found out that FreeStyle Light strips works in the AT2 and costs about $35 at Amazon. I can find better prices on just about everything Callie needs by going online.
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I remember reading somewhere that it's not advisable using human strips in pet meters.
 
Gill & George said:
I remember reading somewhere that it's not advisable using human strips in pet meters.
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Although I agree in theory with this I have been using the FS Lite strips in my AT2 meter for over 1 1/2 years and have done numerous comparisons with the vet machine and my set up, as well as doing many. many side by side comparisons with the AT2 meter using AT2 strips and FS Lite strips on the same blood drop....no small feat let me tell you....and the results were all within a very small variable. The AT2 meter itself is what does the reading, rather than the strips. I also do control solution tests on each new container of strips that I open. If someone does enough side by side comparisons to get their own data, then this can be done.
 
The AT2 and FreeStyle light are made by the same people and look the same. Side by side, you can't tell the difference. I just bought a new pet system from Amazon called Advocate to use as a spare. I am used to the AT system and I like the idea of using meters that are similar. I haven't had time to try it out since it came here. I also have a human meter that tests for glucose and ketones but I haven't had a chance to try it either.

When I first found this forum, I had the meter and the insulin that my vet had taught me to use. The first time I posted, I got all these posts from bossy sounding people saying everyone here used certain insulins and meters. They acted as if my vet would give me junk. Im a cantankerous old lady, and if someone says I have to do something , I won't.
 
I started off with the AlphaTrak 2, but then bought the Relion Confirm and I'm glad I did. With how much I tested him on certain days, sometimes 10+ times a day when he was running low, I would have never been able to afford the strips for the AT2. The important thing is you know what the ranges are for either meter and what the "take action" number is, i.e. hypo numbers. I like to compare it to Fahrenheit versus Celsius, they are different sets of numbers, but you pick one, and know how to interpret what the numbers mean.
 
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I have been on the board for 6 years now and my impression is that the Relion meter is one of the human meters that runs lower.

If you are comfortable with the pet meter and can stomach the cost, use a pet meter. If the cost is too much, use a human. Rarely will the results be that different that you would make a different dosing decision. A 190 on a human meter is still high. Just gets under the no-shoot number for a newbie at this, but it is still high.

I have used the Accuchek Aviva for 6 years through 9 cats. I have found using the human meter to be perfectly reliable and have never had it steer me wrong. It reads a bit higher than the other human meters from what I can tell and its never been that far off from the vet's numbers when they do b.w. I find it more consistent and reliable that the AT and AT2s I have used in comparison. If I had to switch meters at this point, I would not use a pet meter.
 
I don't want to learn a different system. I like the AT2. I use the FreeStyle light strips $35/50 strips. I don't like being told what to do.
 
gabriella christie said:
I bought the alpha track 2 just because i wanted to see how different the meters were in comparison….

Tonight i tested them on the same blood sample…

Alpha trak -338
Human Glucometer (RElion) -190

All i have been reading is that the numbers are SIMILAR not the same but this doesn't seem like similar to me, right?
Click to expand...

It might be unpopular to say, but I agree with you. I understand that human and animal meters will read differently, but that seems like a large variance and I don't blame you for questioning it.

Just a reality check: Did you check that the AlphaTrak meter is coded to match your vial of test strips? (and that it's set to the "cat" value)?

The Relion has become popular around here in recent years, I believe primarily due to price. And if it means the difference between testing and not testing, then by all means I'd suggest the Relion. But it wouldn't be my first choice personally. And what you just encountered is exactly why. I have multiple meters and my Relion Prime always gives me lowball numbers compared to the others. Maybe it's just my meter, but I've tried different batches of test strips and everything else I can think of and still the outcome is the same. And ultimately if I don't trust the meter and am always doubting the results, then what's the point. So, I don't use it.

I've been doing the feline diabetes "dance" off and on for over 11 years and when I joined this board, the popular meters were the One Touch Ultra (OTU), the Ascencia Elite (I haven't seen reference to that one in years), and perhaps a few others. Some of the old-timers did side-by-side comparisons of multiple meters using the same blood drop, compared them to lab values, and so on. Back then it was important to find meters that "sipped" the blood (which they pretty much all do now), and which required reasonably small blood drops (again, very common now). One of the FDMB members sent me an OTU and it has been my go-to meter for all of these years. It has given me values that are consistent and that I trust, and it's always reasonably close to what we see on lab results. Of course that didn't stop me from being a meter junkie and testing and comparing and experimenting a lot over the years. It's interesting academically, but don't drive yourself crazy looking for the "true" BG value. It's a snapshot in time, and "close" is good enough. You just have to decide how close is close enough for your comfort. Look for a meter that you are comfortable with and stick with it. I have an AlphaTrak 2 as a backup and use it as a reality check at times -- just remember that even though it's a pet meter, it isn't necessarily perfect either.

Human meters will typically read lower than animal meters, but as long as you know that, and set your expectations accordingly, then human meters are fine to use. And again, don't get too hung up on the exact numbers. Even the same meter testing the same drop of blood 10 seconds apart often won't give you the same result. And don't even try testing different ears! :)
 
gabriella christie said:
Thanks for your reply! ...yes the alpha track is calibrated to the cat code...i checked a couple times because i was worried it wasn't. I think I'm going to stick to the alpha track, even though its super expensive....:( Its just that its so new to me and I'm nervous to shy away!
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That's fine, at least you have heard the differing points of view:) maybe it's just me, but I like to have a good discussion.
That's pretty much how this board works, we don't all always agree, and at the end of the day once, you have weighed up the pro's and cons, on this or any other issue, it's your decision to make.:)

Contrary to what has been said above I really don't think that folk here are bossy, at least that has been my experience in the last 11 months, there is however a wealth of experience, I haven't always followed everyone's suggestions, but for me the wealth of knowledge and all things FD has been an invaluable resource, and if I am honest, I don't think George would have got to remission, in fact I have a sneaking suspicion that he might not still be with us if it weren't for the support that I have had from the board(that doesn't even bear thinking about).

I hope that we can continue to be of assistance as you start to learn more about FD, it is overwhelming and there is a huge learning curve, remember to breath and try not to let it stress you out.

Gill and George:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
I started off with the AT2 meter because that is what the vet suggested and I didn't even know using a human meter was possible at the time. Initially when I mentioned using a human meter to my vet, she looked at me like I had horns growing out of my head and obviously wasn't on board. After doing some personal research, I took both my AT2 and my Freestyle meter spreadsheets with me to our yearly checkup appt. Vet was impressed and wanted to keep the copies. Fast forward.....vet recently had a new diabetic client who wanted to use a human meter. Not being well versed in human meter use, my vet emailed me for information and reference numbers. Vet says I am now her go to person for help with diabetic cats because I have experience with both types of meters (and a cat with a somewhat rare high dose condition) and have done copious amounts of research she just doesn't have the time/circumstances to do.

My research has demonstrated that pet and human meter numbers are different but if you graph comparison readings from both meters, the pattern will be very similar. Individual numbers don't tell you much other than whether it's safe to give insulin and if kitty is too high or too low. It's the patterns that become apparent as data is accumulated that really tell the story so any meter will do the job.
 
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