meters

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ericbakes

ericbakes

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I started reading threads in some of the other forums about discrepancies in meters. Sounds like I may have chosen a lemon: the Nipro (or Walgreens / Rite-Aid) TrueResult. Most of the complaints I read about were specifically for the True2Go, but it uses the same strips (TrueTest) as my TrueResult. I haven't been able to figure if there is a standard variance from something more reliable, like the AlphaTrack yet.

I realize that we're not really getting a 100% accurate number no matter what, and that a variance is expected. However, I don't want to use something that is all over the board. So, before I dump the TrueResult, I was wondering which testers our little community of ProZinc folks use? How do you deal with variance? When you fill out your spreadsheet, do you ever work in a correction? Or maybe you just mentally correct? Do you "calibrate" your meter to your vet's, and if so, how often? Perhaps this issue is not important to you, and you simply assume that the number on your meter is +/- 20%, and rely on past data to correct for outliers?

Thanks for your input on this!

Eric
 
I don't use PZI but for what it's worth, that one was rated #3 by Consumer Reports.

I use the Bayer Contour USB. A lot of folks swear by the Walmart/ReliOn Confirm or Micro.
 
Relion confirm because the strips are cheap & readily available. When first dx'd the vet had me test a sample to see how it matched theirs; was about 40 pts lower (alphatrack and high number). I entally adjust for variance when I get an unexpected result-makes high numbers more bearable.to know they could be much lower.

I like the one touch meter but strips are too expensive. I personally use an accuchek compact, but can only affoo strips when the insurance chips in.
 
I never worried about the variance. You are looking for trends and patterns; precise numbers are not so important. I used the PrecisionXtra which also can be used to test for ketones. It was within a few points of my vet's meter (I do think that is a valuable thing to check out) I liked my meter and got it free on a promotion, but the strips were very expensive at the drug store. I bought them on ebay for less than 1/2 the price. I just had to be sure I had a surplus.

Lots of people like the ReliOn - cheapest meter, cheapest strips, easiest to get in a hurry. I just won't shop at Walmart so it was not an option I wanted.
 
ReliOn user here. Cheap strips, meter... Can't imagine paying more with the way I go through strips.
Was 30 pts under vet when tested; this is not at the same time but an hr apart.
 
I use freestyle lite which I love, but I will have the aphatrack strip soon so
I can test them both back to back
I will keep all posted on the results
I heard that reestyle can be 100 points less than alphtrack
 
I use the Bayer Contour, because my diabetic brother had one extra he could spare, and buy the strips on Ebay for half the price or less. Bought a batch of strips on Ebay for less than half price and got a brand new Contour meter with it. Not a bad deal. :smile:
 
Hi Eric and Melville cat_pet_icon

I use Relion for callie , I went up against the vet and they got 280 and I got 275 so they stopped hounding me about home testing :-D I am diabetic myself and I use Relion meter and strips to. I have a contour but the test strips with insurance are still 70 bucks a pop compaired to 36 bucks for 100 test strips !
 
We use the Freestyle Lite and love it. It takes a very small blood sample and rarely errors. Strips are reasonable, usually thru American Diabetes Wholesale but I always shop around before ordering. I figured if the Freestyle Lite was good enough for Gator and H (who used to be here on the board and were way more detail oriented than us) it was good enough for us :)

We have the AlphaTrak too but strips are expensive (and not everyone carries them) and generally the meter sucks, it errors often and takes a large blood sample. We found our Freestyle was about 30 points off the Alpha Trak. The AT sits in the closet as a spare but I hope I never have to use it again.
(We only have it because our old vet talked us into it, then chastised us for testing :-/ )
 
I use the relion micro for BG and the Nova Max Ultra for blood ketone checking.
I ran side by sides with the vet's meter (no idea what, but probably the expensive alphatrak? Both time I was 30 points lower than they were, but that was with BGs in the upper 300's or lower 400's. My understanding is that the lower the number, the less the degree of inaccuracy, but that's just something I've read here and I don't have actual data to prove that.

Carl
 
Use Relion meter. I had used the freestyly lite and it was running 100pts lower than the alpha trac and relion. I compared side by side many times. Relion strips are very inexpensive.

lori
 
Lori,
Make sure and share that in Denise's post from a few minutes ago. She saw a huge difference between the AT and her Freestyle. Let her know the Relion is not off as much....
Carl
 
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