Changing meters

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Natalia & Enana

Natalia & Enana

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Hi everyone,

I use a Precision Xtra meter. I like it because it measure ketones but the testing strips are very expensive, so I was thinking to switching to a one more affordable.

I bought a One Touch Mini which I used only once. I haven't researched how much are the strips.

Feedback, thoughts, advice welcome :-D
 
I know lots of folks use the Relion meters from Walmart. The meters are $9, and the strips are $12 for 20 or $20 for 50. I know Target has an in-house meter that is similarly priced. We use the Advance Redi-Code. It takes some getting used to, but now we have the hang of it. I was able to get 650+ strips on ebay for $0.17/strip, so that helps tremendously!

Good luck!
 
yep, just note it on your spreadsheet or in your logbook. that way if there suddenly is a big change in the numbers, the meter switch is notable

as far as the one touch strips go, in the stores you'll find they are pretty pricey too....about a $1 a strip but you can get them online at various places for about half that.

you can try

http://www.hocks.com (and if you go thru the link at the top of the page, fdmb gets a little commission which goes towards the cost of running the board)
http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com
http://www.store4diabetics.com
and of course http://www.ebay.com just be careful on there

walmart's relion meters though are the most economical, other than some offbrands you can get online, and many many people use them here with no problems.
 
Thanks ladies :razz:

The Precision Xtra glucose strips are 1.50 and the ketone strips 6.63. Im going to be living in my car pretty soon if I keep using this meter...:lol:

Thanks again!
 
I use my precision Xtra only to measure for ketones now. Their regular test strips are more expensive than the other brands. Hocks and some other places do have the ketone strips for less. For me it is worth continuing to test Nomad for serum ketones. Nomad starts getting ketones even when he is in the 200s.

I use freestyle for BG readings and I also have a True Result meter I keep as a back up. You might want to price the strips for the one touch before you go out and purchase a third meter. It is probably a good idea to have a back-up meter of another make. You never know when a meter might give out or get recalled. When you get an unusual number it is also helpful to have another meter to retest the numbers with.

It seems like many people here end up with a meter collection LOL ;-)
 
H Natalia, and, of course, you too, sweet Enana, who is beautiful, by the way...

I'm in the process of switching from a Free-Style Lite meter to a Maxima meter, which was generously donated here with lots of test strips. For which, we are both profoundly grateful -- probably one of us more than the other...

What I've been doing in this switching process, is when the bead of blood on Nikki's ear is generous, is to load both meters and test them side by side. You know, just to know... They've both been reading a less than 10% difference range. For me, that means I'm really comfortable totally switching when the FSL test strips run out, which will be soon.

And, bonus! It didn't require an extra ear poke... Color Nikki happy!

You can buy either Keto-Stix (cheaper...) or Keto-Diastix (more expensive because they test the presence of glucose [not like a meter reading...]...) to test for ketones when you catch Enana's pee...



You're a hero hometesting, dearest Natalia! Bless you!

Welcome to the sugar dance! It's most interesting...



And, welcome to the place you never wanted to be; but, will be blessed for having found...

Love and encouraging hugs for you both!
Deb and Nikki -- and, Giz, forever dancing with and smiling on us all...
 
I think I'm going to pick up the walgreens meter that is free after rebate this weekend, as walgreens is the closest 24 hour pharmacy to my house, and if I were in a pinch in the middle of the night, that is where I would go.

if you google free freestyle lite meter, there is a website where you can register to get a free meter that comes with 10 free test strips. it is good to have is a backup as well.
 
For anyone who decides on a name brand meter, be sure to check out eBay for strips. We used the PrecisionXtra and got our strips on bay for less than half the price in the stores. Just be sure to check the reputation of the seller and the expiration date on the strips.
 
Christie and Willie-if you get the Walgreen meter, also check to see who manufactured it. If it is any of the True meters, the strips are interchangable with other True Result or True to Go meters. The distribution center, which is here in Fort Lauderdale, just stamps the different chain names on them. This is their secret they don't want us to know! LOL :-)

Right now Precision Xtra is the only ketone serum home tester on the market. Hopefully as some others come out the price will come down. I really like the meter and I believe it is more accurate than urine ketone testing. The cost is prohibitive for most people to use.

Abbott labs how do you expect people to spend one hundred and fifty dollars a month just on ketone test strips? I must be helping make some CEO rich!! LOL :-)
 
I went to Walmart and bought a Reli ON ($9) and a box of 100 strips for $39...that's is less than ONE box of 50 for the Precision Xtra. I dont do Walmart, but I am going to have to suck it up for this one.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice.
 
Natalia & Enana said:
I went to Walmart and bought a Reli ON ($9) and a box of 100 strips for $39...that's is less than ONE box of 50 for the Precision Xtra. I dont do Walmart, but I am going to have to suck it up for this one.

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice.
Click to expand...

I'm going to get a Relion meter/strips in about a week. I've been using a Freestyle Freedom meter which I like, but the cost of the strips--even online--is expensive.
 
Hi, I use the Relion Micro too.. I did order the one Christie uses & have that one because the strips were so cheap (thanks, Christie!)
I want to point out that although you can use different meters, I don't suggest it.. for consistency reasons. For example, I have always used the Relion, well when I got the new meter I was just speaking of in the mail.. the #s read a lot lower & I have opted not to use it until I am ready to completely take the plunge & switch over. You could though.. I just think for consistency of comparing # to # it is best to stick to one, because 1 # on 1 meter is a different # on a different meter @-)
 
I use OneTouch Mini and find it to be very accurate compared to AlphaTrak. The strips are way too pricey to buy them locally so I get them for about 1/2 that amount at www.hocks.com.

Judy
 
Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and have a cat that has been diagnosed with diabetes x 2wks. initially Micho was in DKA, but with dedicated home care, we got through. I have done a lot of research on meters for this. The reason, is that my vet is adamant that I use only the alpha trak. i am currently renting hers for $25/week with strips being nearly $2/each. Based on research, i purchased the reli on contour meter at wal-mart, and doing his curve this weekend, note that it runs a little bit lower than the alpha trak. should i be concerned with this? i really can't afford the alpha trak or strips ($60-50 strips) and that would be every month. if i could get input on this, it would be much appreciated. Thanks!!
 
The reli on contour meter is fine. It is accurate enough. Test performed by different members has show that all the meters get closer as the BG value decreases. See the attachment.
 

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Thanks, Janelle!! What part of FLL are you in? I lived in Hollywood and South Dade (unincorporated Miami-Dade County, on the other side of Red Road from Coral Gables) for 4 years while in school. Missing it these days!!!

I actually already have a True to Go from CVS, so it looks like I'm set! Thanks for the heads up!!

@katzthorn-- Willie was diagnosed in early December, and my vet also insisted on the Alphatrak. I abandoned it after a month (along with the vet!). The Lantus protocols note an approximate 30 point variance between the AT and human meters. Because they always register on the low end, you will not be putting your cat in harms way using it.

If you choose to stick with it, check out American Diabetes Wholesale. With coupon codes and 8% cashback through Mr. Rebates, I was able to get the cost down to under $0.85/strip. Still more than double the cost of the Relion strips ($0.40/strip). You can get an Alphatrak meter on amazon or through ADW for far less than you will pay at the vet. There are a couple distinct disadvantages to using it beyond the cost. First, if you choose to participate in the boards here, you'll find that most folks use human meters, so you have to make sure any advice givers are doing so taking your AT meter into account. Second, if it is 2am and you suddenly run out of test strips, absent a 24 hour emergency vet that has them stock, you are out of luck. If you choose to stay with the AT, I'd strongly recommend having a backup meter that has strips you can get in the middle of the night. Personally, since Walgreens has a 24 hour pharmacy 5 minutes from my house, I'm going with one from there.

So happy for you that your Micho made it through the DKA incident!!! Please feel free to post a general introduction in this forum with info about your kitty, the diagnosis, insulin used and dose, etc. so we can get to know you! The folks here are very generous with their time and were a godsend when we first got our diagnosis. I don't know what we would have done without this place!

Welcome to the best place you wish you never had to be!!
 
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