Glucose Meters: ReliOn Micro, Confirm, Prime, or Ultima?!

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hellolucy

hellolucy

Member Since 2017
I wasn't able to find a thread where all of the ReliOn meters were compared. I'm going to Wal-Mart today to pick up a meter and am trying to figure out which one I should buy. Which ReliOn meter is best - Micro, Confirm, Prime, or Ultra? And it looks like there's also one called "Confirm/Micro" :eek:?

My cat absolutely hates being tested so I'd like to get the one that requires the smallest amount of blood out of all of the choices but is also accurate.

Thanks in advance!
 
hellolucy said:
I wasn't able to find a thread where all of the ReliOn meters were compared. I'm going to Wal-Mart today to pick up a meter and am trying to figure out which one I should buy. Which ReliOn meter is best - Micro, Confirm, Prime, or Ultra? And it looks like there's also one called "Confirm/Micro" :eek:?

My cat absolutely hates being tested so I'd like to get the one that requires the smallest amount of blood out of all of the choices but is also accurate.

Thanks in advance!
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All I know is that the Prime has the cheapest test strips but takes a larger blood drop. I'm surprised that you found the AlphaTrak needed a large droplet. That's not my experience.

Lucy is a very pretty girl! :)
 
Hi! Welcome to FDMB! Your kitty is adorable (and obviously very special, as she shares my name, lol!).

The Relion Micro requires the smallest amount of blood, although the Confirm, which I use, doesn't seem to require much blood at all, either. The Prime requires a slightly larger amount, but also has the least expensive test strips. The cost of test strips is sometimes an issue; you will go through A LOT of them, trust me. Hope that helps you decide!

Lucy :):):)
 
We got the Micro recently and love it. I'm always surprised by how little blood it requires to get a reading. We've been very happy with it.
 
I have the ReliOn Confirm and the test strips I get are for both Confirm and Micro. I have Free Style Lite test strips for my AT2 which still take a the tiniest sample. I was also surprised to read that your AlphaTrak needed a big sample. :) Have recently run into issues with my local WalMarts not having ANY ReliOn test strips in stock so I just bought some online.
 
Thank you all! Lucy knows she's cute and uses it on me to her advantage :P I'm going to go with the Micro as it seems to be the most common and also takes a small amount of blood. Maybe it's just user error with my current AT2 (I get pretty nervous or rather, feel bad because Lucy hates the testing) or possibly bought faulty test strips as I picked up the box on Amazon from a random seller. As the AT2 strips still cost an arm and a leg, I'm going to restart this journey with the Micro strips and readings.

I found the comparison chart below for the Ultima, Micro, and Confirm in case it helps anyone else in the future:
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Do you have a control solution for your AT strips? Since you have the AT2, you can keep it like some of us have that bought it initially, and use it for curves :)
 
Yong said:
Do you have a control solution for your AT strips? Since you have the AT2, you can keep it like some of us have that bought it initially, and use it for curves :)
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Yes, I do have the control solution that came with it. Is there a benefit to using the AT2 for curves versus the ReliOn for daily use? I've read that the ReliOn/human meters measure a bit lower than the AT2 so am worried that the BG readings wouldn't able to be accurately compared between the two if using both of them. Teach me your ways - I have lots to learn! :bookworm:
 
hellolucy said:
Yes, I do have the control solution that came with it. Is there a benefit to using the AT2 for curves versus the ReliOn for daily use? I've read that the ReliOn/human meters measure a bit lower than the AT2 so am worried that the BG readings wouldn't able to be accurately compared between the two if using both of them. Teach me your ways - I have lots to learn! :bookworm:
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You're right, the Relion and the Alphatrak measure bg differently, so the results will differ. Do not try to make comparisons between them - there aren't any comparisons and you will make yourself crazy, lol! The important number to keep in mind, with the human meters, is 50: that's your "Take Action" number, anything below 50 is too low.
 
Squalliesmom said:
You're right, the Relion and the Alphatrak measure bg differently, so the results will differ. Do not try to make comparisons between them - there aren't any comparisons and you will make yourself crazy, lol! The important number to keep in mind, with the human meters, is 50: that's your "Take Action" number, anything below 50 is too low.
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I guess my main concern with using the two meters is entering the data in to the spreadsheet. I am currently trying to determine the correct dose of insulin for Lucy as she is on a high vet recommended dose at the moment. Will these numbers be confusing for others from the spreadsheet in my signature to analyze using the two different meters? Or should I stick with one in the beginning and move to two when I am more knowledgeable in analyzing them myself? Not trying to question, just genuinely understand in order to provide the best care for Lucy. Thank you!
 
hellolucy said:
Yes, I do have the control solution that came with it. Is there a benefit to using the AT2 for curves versus the ReliOn for daily use? I've read that the ReliOn/human meters measure a bit lower than the AT2 so am worried that the BG readings wouldn't able to be accurately compared between the two if using both of them. Teach me your ways - I have lots to learn! :bookworm:
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I mainly use the AT2 when I do a curve for the Vet. There are some Vet's that will not accept human meter numbers is the reason for doing this. I just make a note if I switched a meter for a curve :). As Squalliesmom has stated, the usual "take action" number on human meters is 50 or less. I think its 68 or less if you are using the AT2. And definitely don't try to run comparisons of the two meters, each is still allowed its own 20% variation in readings, you will end up :confused: and with headaches lol.

Feel free to ask any of your own questions or question what any of us may do! It's all learning how to provide the best care for our fur babies :cat:
 
hellolucy said:
Or should I stick with one in the beginning
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I would pick the meter you can afford to use multiple times a day, every day and the one that works best for you....In my opinion, that will be the Micro

The protocols here were all written with human meters in mind, so the people here are very familiar with the human numbers.

Don't try to compare them....You'll just give yourself a migraine and be even more confused.
 
Chris & China said:
I would pick the meter you can afford to use multiple times a day, every day and the one that works best for you....In my opinion, that will be the Micro
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Yong said:
I mainly use the AT2 when I do a curve for the Vet. There are some Vet's that will not accept human meter numbers is the reason for doing this.
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Thank you both! This has actually made me rethink my initial "starting over" approach a bit. The curve numbers the vet has been given so far (4 times now) were all taken using the AT2 meter. Unfortunately, I do not have these numbers with me but will be saving all recordings moving forward now that I know why it's important for my own use. Because of this, I just ordered more AT2 strips to use for the time being to ensure the readings for the first few weeks are comparable to what I've been providing the vet and how they've been managing and diagnosing her insulin. It makes me nervous to start with a different set/type of numbers with a new meter that measures differently when she's in so much flux and I'm guessing not even close to her ideal dose considering how quickly he's been jumping up her insulin. Once I actually have a good amount of data to analyze in the spreadsheet and steady out her BG levels, I think I will consider switching to the ReliOn Micro as it's definitely much cheaper. Thank you again! It makes me so much more confident moving forward to have the experience of everyone here and not to have to rely solely on what the vet says.

The AT2 strips will be here tomorrow or Thursday through Amazon Prime and I'm going to begin updating the spreadsheet ASAP. The ketone strips should be here tomorrow so that will be an important test to do right away!
 
hellolucy said:
They were done by me at home with the AT2 - I read that her numbers would be inflated if done at the vet's office so decided to give it a try at home.
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The numbers won't be THAT much different unless she's been running pretty low....if she's been in the 200's or higher, it really won't matter if you go ahead and switch to the Micro immediately
 
Yong said:
I mainly use the AT2 when I do a curve for the Vet. There are some Vet's that will not accept human meter numbers is the reason for doing this. I just make a note if I switched a meter for a curve :). As Squalliesmom has stated, the usual "take action" number on human meters is 50 or less. I think its 68 or less if you are using the AT2. And definitely don't try to run comparisons of the two meters, each is still allowed its own 20% variation in readings, you will end up :confused: and with headaches lol.

Feel free to ask any of your own questions or question what any of us may do! It's all learning how to provide the best care for our fur babies :cat:
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who makes the AT 2 I live in Edinburgh and I am looking for one for Smooch
 
The Micro has worked great for me! Small sample size and not terribly expensive to monitor. Your cat is adorable by the way!
 
Lisa & Nacho said:
The Micro has worked great for me! Small sample size and not terribly expensive to monitor. Your cat is adorable by the way!
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Thank you! So is yours :cat:

Chris & China said:
The numbers won't be THAT much different unless she's been running pretty low....if she's been in the 200's or higher, it really won't matter if you go ahead and switch to the Micro immediately
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She has definitely been running high so I may ultimately make the complete switch to the Micro. I have some AT2 strips arriving tomorrow that I've already ordered so will start off with those but think I will need to reconsider picking up the Micro at Wal-Mart...

Yong said:
Your meter should still hold those readings if you want to put them on your SS :)
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You're right - they do still have them! Just checked. However, I don't have any of the other information to go with the readings such as how many units she was receiving when each of the tests were done :( She's also been transitioning from 60% canned/40% dry to 100% dry over the past few months.
 
I ordered a pet meter online called Everpaw. I haven't seen it mentioned in any forum and wonder if any of you heard of it or know anything about it. I've tried it twice in the ear. It seems to hurt Chloe and I get more blood on my finger than anywhere else. I've been using the blood on my finger on the test strip, but I never know which way to insert it into the meter. Also, it seems to hurt Chloe since she cries when I poke her, with the insulin shot, too. The reading I got today was 150, but I don't think it was accurate since I battered the test strip trying to figure out which way it went into the meter.
 
There isn't much info on the EverPaw, company filed for their trademark Summer 2016. Strips are about $0.60 - $0.80/ each depending if you buy 50ct or 25ct.
 
Yong said:
There isn't much info on the EverPaw, company filed for their trademark Summer 2016. Strips are about $0.60 - $0.80/ each depending if you buy 50ct or 25ct.
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Thank you for replying. I just went to Walmart and bought the Relion Prime and test strips. The Everpaw was just too complicated. You had to use a control solution and code the sample...
I just tried the new Relion Prime. I am getting better at holding her still while using the lancet, but I got an Error Code again. The Relion comes with a step-by-step sheet with good pictures. I had no idea with the Everpaw that you're supposed to get the blood with the test strip already in the meter. The Relion also has an easy-to-read list of the error codes and what they mean. This was my third try getting a glucose reading. How long does it usually take before you get it right? I'm reading the forums and getting very nervous because I haven't been able to do the glucose monitoring.
 
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hellolucy said:
Thank you! So is yours :cat:



She has definitely been running high so I may ultimately make the complete switch to the Micro. I have some AT2 strips arriving tomorrow that I've already ordered so will start off with those but think I will need to reconsider picking up the Micro at Wal-Mart...



You're right - they do still have them! Just checked. However, I don't have any of the other information to go with the readings such as how many units she was receiving when each of the tests were done :( She's also been transitioning from 60% canned/40% dry to 100% dry over the past few months.
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Why is she switching to 100% dry?
 
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