Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & AlphaTrax

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MayBTheresHope

MayBTheresHope

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Okay, I've updated Max's numbers since 5/17. Please see his SS. Not sure what is going on, really. I probably should have collected more data amps +6, but I did get a pmps +6 on Saturday. His dose seems to be b/t 0.5u and 0.75u, but I think that 0.5u is too low and I have had some do not shoot moments with the .75u so I think that is throwing us off, too.

Also, I bought a Relion Micro last night and tested it against AlphaTrax this morning at the same time. With the AlphaTrax, I got a 338. I got a 269 with the Relion Micro with blood from the same prick. I was expecting a 30 point difference, but not a 69 point difference. Is this normal? The AT strips are so expensive and I'm out AGAIN!!! I really want the Relion to work for this reason.

One last note, I still have not purchased the u100 needles b/c everytime I get to the pharmacy either I'm not sure I'm buying the right thing or the pharmacy is closed. I am going to go buy some today after work now that I am more sure of what I need to buy.
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

I don't know about the AlphaTrak; we have some people using them so they should be able to help.

Remember the 20% variance with any meter. If the AT was 20% high and the ReliOn 20% low, they would sort of meet in the middle?

I wouldn't get hung up on the meter difference. Go with the one you like best and that you can afford. (there is a source for cheaper strips for the AT but I don't know where...). We are looking for a range, not a specific number. While the two numbers you got were fairly far apart, if you got a 270 and a 330, it would likely be the same dose of insulin for both numbers.

People here love the ReliOn and generally think it is accurate enough....but you have to go with what you are most comfortable with.
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

I've used the Relion Ultima and also Confirm (which mfgrs the Micro). I've tested them against 2 separate AccuCheck meters, and although every once in a while, I'll get a wonky reading from the Relion, most of the time they are very similar.

Here are some examples: (first reading Accu Chek; Second Relion Ultima)
430/408
463/443
382/363
411/342
336/326
317/326
344/380
285/260
310/312
342/294
408/388

So for the most part, I feel like my Relion is accurate. The only times I've seen anything questionable is when I partially sip blood, then sip some more... then I might get something really off. And one day, I had numbers all over the board at one reading time. If anything looks too high or too low, based on your patterns, then test again.

I believe I"ve heard that the Alpha Trak registers a little differently. No experience with that, so perhaps someone else can offer up some wisdom. You may wish to do a search on the Health board to find some. I also posted on Health about 2 months ago - search "WHAT I'VE LEARNED" for that post. I tried 3 meters at once to make sure... and got some wisdom from the manufacturer's rep.

Good luck!
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Sorry I forgot the needle info. I use the Relion U10s from Walmart. Here's the details:

CAPACITY: 3/10 Ml (doses up to 30 units)
GAUGE: 31
LENGTH 8 mm (short needle - which I prefer)
#81131-0311-79

Ask for them at the pharmacy counter at Walmart - and check that they are the right ones w/ half unit markings on them. Should be in a white box if I recall correctly.
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

There is a lot of comparison info in this thread
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=66746

I have an Alpha and a Relion Micro. The Alpha is always higher. On the higher end of the BG scale (300s-ish) its not uncommon at all for me to have seen a difference as large as 80 points. On the lower end of the BG scale, it will be closer to the standard 30 point difference. Last time I checked, the average difference for mine is about 42 points.
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

arozeboom said:
There is a lot of comparison info in this thread
http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=66746

I have an Alpha and a Relion Micro. The Alpha is always higher. On the higher end of the BG scale (300s-ish) its not uncommon at all for me to have seen a difference as large as 80 points. On the lower end of the BG scale, it will be closer to the standard 30 point difference. Last time I checked, the average difference for mine is about 42 points.
Click to expand...

SOOOO good to know. Thank you! :smile:
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Not to throw a monkey wrench in here,
but I had both and my relion was always 80 points HIGHER than the alpha track
so I unfortuanlely went with the alpha track
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Well, good gosh! Now I don't know what to do. I guess the range is what is important??? Maybe I'll buy some more of the AT strips and check against the relion intermittently. ohmygod_smile
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

If I were in your shoes, I'd ditch the AlphaTrak and go with the Relion. Trying to use and compare 2 meters will make you climb walls after a few days. The Relion's strips are so much cheaper.....

HUGS!
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Yeah, you are probably right. I guess range is what matters most, anyway.
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

MayBTheresHope said:
Yeah, you are probably right. I guess range is what matters most, anyway.
Click to expand...

You got it! I almost drove myself crazy trying to compare 3 meters before it dawned on me that I need to stick with one and quit trying to find that 'exact number' because I'll never succeed - too much variance allowed in EACH reading. Now I just use the Relion....
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

On day one, when my vet told me to go to Walmart to buy a relion, I always had her voice in my head saying "remember, your meter will be reading about 30 points lower than our meter", and of course "their meter" was "reality"! I have no idea, other than the two times I tested my vs. their AT side by side, if the 30 point thing was accurate. The 2 times I tested, I was lower by 20-30 points though.

Here's my theory -
Home testing is the single most important weapon that we have in managing this disease. And your meter is the key. SO, no mater what meter you use, you have to have absolute trust that what it is telling you is right, because it is going to determine what dose of insulin you shoot every day.
You have to pick a meter, and stick with it and move forward based solely on the numbers that meter is giving you. The specific numbers are NOT the primary factor however. The TRENDS you see over time are what determines how Max is reacting to a given dose. A week of data on the SS means something. A single snapshot in time of what his BG is means little.

But mostly, I wanted to post so that I could wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sandy!

Carl
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Carl & Bob in SC said:
But mostly, I wanted to post so that I could wish you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Sandy!

Carl
Click to expand...

Thanks, Carl! I'm 40 today. ohmygod_smile It has been a good day so far, though. Maybe the 40s will be better than the 30s. I sure hope so! 30s were tough!
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Happy, happy Birthday! party_cat party_cat

For what it's worth, I would LOVE to be forty again. (course, I'd love to be 50 too....). Truly, wonderful years. Be ready to enjoy them!
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

Happy Birthday!!
hope you have a wonderful day!
and welcome to the forties!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
 
Re: Max Update + Big difference b/t new Relion Micro & Alpha

My decade of 40's was better than my decade of 30's, if that helps any! Congrats on the milestone.


(course, I'd love to be 50 too....
Click to expand...

Sue, first you need to get past 29! :-D

Carl
 
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