Home Testing help

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Ravensrapture

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Hello,

I just bought a ReliOn monitor today and was setting it up. The instructions state to test the monitor with solution first but does not include it and I have to call the company to order it. Is this really necessary and if so, can i just get it at walmart by the rest of the supplies? I really wanted to test him today but now I don't know if I should. Can someone advise? Thanks

Kris
 
You can test without it. It's a good idea to get it and use it later just to make sure your monitor is accurate. I don't think you can get it at walmart, you have to call the number and they will send it to you for free.
 
I also have a relion micro. I have been using it since May. I never did a control solution test. The first day I was shown how to home test, I brought it with me to the vet, and they used their meter and I used mine. My meter read 30 points lower than theirs. The vet said that was "normal" and what she had seen in the past with the same type of meter. That was good enough for me, and since then I have always figured that what I get is 20-30 points below "reality". I've done this a couple times since. When Bob goes in for a checkup, we side-by-side test, and I'm 20 or 30 points lower with my meter.

You can also use your own blood to see if your meter is working correctly. I did that this past week, because the numbers I was getting with Bob were so good, I began to doubt the accuracy of the meter! So I poked myself, and got a 102 I think, which is consistant with what I've gotten before on me. That assured me the meter was still working right. This assumes you know you aren't diabetic of course. If not, you should get "normal" BG numbers on yourself.

As long as the meter shows a "F3" or "F4" when you put the strip in, and that F code matches what is on the case your strips came in, your meter should be giving you accurate numbers. But next time you go to the vet, ask them to do a side-by-side to put your mind at ease. You can still ask for and get control solution, but I wouldn't put off home testing for several days waiting to get the control.

Go ahead and test, and then post what you get if you're in doubt about shooting and dosage. Someone will be here to advise if you ask for advice.

Carl
 
I read somewhere that people BG meters often read lower than they should because they want people to eat before their bg drops too low. So they read lower to make them panic and eat something. That's probably why the meter is 20-30 lower than the vet's meter. My vet tried to talk me into buying the meter that is made for cats, I didn't fall for that one, she just wanted to make me spend money.
 
While I have heard this, I have never seen or heard of any substantiation of this. A couple of users have call meter manufacturers and two responded that it would be against FDA rules to make the meter intentionally read low.

Terri&Kit said:
I read somewhere that people BG meters often read lower than they should because they want people to eat before their bg drops too low. So they read lower to make them panic and eat something. That's probably why the meter is 20-30 lower than the vet's meter. My vet tried to talk me into buying the meter that is made for cats, I didn't fall for that one, she just wanted to make me spend money.
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I to have a Relion meter, but I have never tested my Simba with salution ? I've only started to test him since 6/13/11. Oh my Gosh, am I do this wrong guys ? - His levels has been in the 70s/80s after meals.
 
Winni said:
I to have a Relion meter, but I have never tested my Simba with solution ? I've only started to test him since 6/13/11. Oh my Gosh, am I do this wrong guys ? - His levels has been in the 70s/80s after meals.
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No worries. The protocol for Lantus/Levemir has reference tables for both human meters and animal specific meters. Levels in the 70s/80s on human meters are OK so long as the mid-cycle nadir (lowest point) doesn't go below 50. If you're using the AlphaTrak or another pet meter, your lowest/nadir value shouldn't go below about 80.

Note that the ReliOn Confirm is a branded version of the Glucocard 01. Supplies for it, including control solution, are available online - for example, at American Diabetes Wholesale
 
I called the number in the sheet and they ssaid that it really wasn't needed. It took forever, but they sent me a vial. they said the test solution had such a short shelf life that is why the stores don't have it, but reassured me twice that it wasn't needed.
 
Thanks I called them today and they told me the same thing. I did my first test on him tonite got blood on the first poke. =0) It was easier than I thought and he didn't mind it at all. His reading was 275 but the test was just over an hour after he ate. I do not have him on insulin yet but did take him off the glipizide. I've been reading the info on testing but it is all related around insulin shots. Since he is not on insulin yet, how often do you think I should be checking him? Should I do it before he eats and after? How often before and after do I test?
 
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