Contour Meter - Issues with Small Sample Size

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Ele & Blackie (GA)

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For the last week, we have had occasional problems with our Contour meter. It's supposed to accept a blood drop of .6, but we are getting some weird results when the drop is very small (and now not so small). Last week when I tested I had a very small sample and the meter accepted it without an error. It measured 128. This was at +3 and I didn't think the number was right, so I poked Blackie again and got a 229. 100 pt difference. Then a few days ago, I tested at pmps, again a small sample and got 447. I thought this was high because +11 was 318. I retested and got a 393. Now this morning, my DH tested at amps and got a 239. That didn't sound right because Blackie has been in the 300's and his +8 was 340. I retested about 5 minutes later and got 333. DH said it wasn't a tiny drop this time, but still 100 pt difference.

I did a control test and it measured 144 and the correct range was from 105 to 145. I did a control test on my backup Contour meter and it was a 134. So, do I have a bad meter? Should I change the batteries? How can I trust this meter?
 
There can be a 20% variance in numbers from one test to another with any meter. It is a measurement error. I use a Contour meter and have not experienced the problem you describe with such a wide difference between tests. Just as an experiment, I'd suggest poking yourself and testing the same droplet of blood twice and if possible, repeat with your back up meter. If the test are still widely apart, I'd call Bayer and have them send you a new meter. The meter will give an error message if you don't have enough blood.
 
I had the same problem with both my contours so I switched to the Reli on micro and am much happier with that, and it uses a smaller sample than the contour which helps.
 
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