? Generic bg strips - reading is different from OEM

[shelaghc]

Got the new generic strips for my OneTouch meter today. I still have a decent number of the OEM strips so I tested twice with the same ear - even the same blood drop source.

OEM BG was 183
Generic BG was 170

Is this a big enough difference that I should be concerned?
@StefO - did you do a comparison? I bought the same kind of strips you did.

Tyk

 

[Critter Mom]

At that high a BG range plus allowing for normal meter reading variance essentially those two readings are pretty much equivalent.


Mogs
.

 

[shelaghc]

At that high a BG range plus allowing for normal meter reading variance essentially those two readings are pretty much equivalent.


Mogs
.

tyk

I'm planning to do a before bed test, mostly because I gave him his usual 1U - which I did the last time he was at a similar number with the OEM strips.

Most likely I'll cross check for several days for comparison. It would likely be a bigger deal if the number with the generic was the higher one, tbh. And knowing the difference I can mentally compensate if Jester goes low.

Just not sure which numbers to use on the spreadsheet - OEM or Generic.....

 

[shelaghc]

+5 numbers were a lot further apart on each strip.
OEM was 238
Generic was 206.

The only positive might be that the generic isn't giving the impression that his BG is too high. But it could also give the mistaken impression that his BG is too low.

I'm going to continue to double-check his BG with both kinds of strips. There's a 24/7 phone number that I might call if the numbers don't even out, so to speak.

Input and opinions would be very much appreciated.

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

Input and opinions would be very much appreciated.

Remember, meters are allowed to have a 20% variance....so even if you test with the SAME brand of strip on the same drop of blood, you could get that much difference.

On the OEM, that 238 could be as low as 190 or as high as 286

On the generic, that 206 could be as low as 165 or as high as 247

Those two numbers are basically the same....certainly within the variance

 

[shelaghc]

Remember, meters are allowed to have a 20% variance....so even if you test with the SAME brand of strip on the same drop of blood, you could get that much difference.

On the OEM, that 238 could be as low as 190 or as high as 286

On the generic, that 206 could be as low as 165 or as high as 247

Those two numbers are basically the same....certainly within the variance

Ah, this is new information for me.

I wasn't aware of the variance.

So am I wasting strips by checking with both? Or is it a good idea just to get used to the variance?

 

[Chris & China (GA)]

So am I wasting strips by checking with both? Or is it a good idea just to get used to the variance?

I think the generic will do just as good for you as the OEM

They're close enough.....if you get a wonky or out of character reading, you could compare, but I think you'll be just fine with the generic strips

 

[shelaghc]

Thanks very much - to Chris and to Critter Mom!