Inaccuracy of Nova Max Plus

[nsbirdie]

My cat was diagnosed just over a month ago and I was eager to monitor her at home so I expedited ordering the Nova Plus Kit. Easy to use and gave me me confidence in doing the testing at home, that is for sure.
WARNING: There were out of date meds for upset stomach in the kit. Mostly importantly, my vet was concerned about the accuracy of my numbers as they were out of whack with ones taken at the clinic the week before.
They did a complete test throughout the day (6 reads) yesterday using the NMP compared to their professional machine (Vetscan) and the Alpha Trak 2 designed for pets which they usually us in-house and I had borrowed the weekend before to do home testing till my kit arrived. The variations were staggering.
Vetscan Nova Trak 2 NMP
9:30 am 8.0 9.9 6.8
10:30 am 8.4 11.7 6.8
12:30 9.1 5.7
2:30 pm 6.8 4.6
4:30 pm 5.6 6.3 5.1
6:30 pm 10.7 5.3
I was shocked and very concerned, to say the least. Not only are they significantly different there is no 'auto add' figure to the NMP human meter that can be used. as the difference varies went from 1.2 to as much as 5.4. I know this one was tested by the forum but this is what happened when mine was tested so beware.

 

[BJM]

ALL over the counter glucometers read within +/- 20 % from what a lab would get, per the FDA regulations. Yes, even the AlphaTrak.

See my signature link Glucometer Notes for more details.

Could you put commas between each of the entries?

Some rows have 2 numbers, some have 3, and I can't tell where the end of 1 label ends and the next begins. Add an extra comma if there is a missing test.

For a very rough estimate of the AlphaTrak meter value from the Nova Max meter value:
Nova Max / .65 = AlphaTrak estimate, then +/- 20% meter variance
This is because human meters, read on the average, taking tons of pairs of tests, from 30-40% lower than a pet specific meter. Going with the midpoint of 35%.

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Here is one set of data points:
9-14-2014
I just did two tests with my original AlphaTrak and my human Easy Gluco Plus meter. Both comparisons used same drop of blood from two different cats

Dulce OTJ
AT = 72
Easy Gluco Plus = 54
The AT is 133% of the EGP value
Badgar
AT = 377
Easy Gluco Plus = 331
The AT is only 113% of the EGP value

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

It seems that ALL vet/pet specific meters will read higher than human meters. But we already know that, and we "adjust accordingly".

I guess ask your vet what his primary concern is with the discrepancy?

I am not sure which insulin you use, but will a higher number influence the dose amount?

I am not sure what numbers on an AT or Vetscan constitute " normal BG".
On a human meter, it would be 40-120 (US) or 2.2 - 6.7 (world) I think. The numbers would be higher on a "pet" meter. But as long as you know what range means whatever on the meter you use, it should all be good.