The "best" meter?

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Steph

Steph

Member Since 2013
My Reli-On Prime has been responsible for wonky numbers. It finally bit the dust yesterday, and I wonder which meter you all LOVE that's super reliable and reasonably priced? Need to make a change today.

Thank you!

Steph
 
I love my Reli-On Micro. When I think the numbers are wonky, I re-test, and it winds up confirming. I rarely get any errors from the strips. I had heard someone say that with the Prime they went through a lot more strips which negated the fact that the strips for the Prime are cheaper.
 
My meter recommendations include:

Relion Confirm or Micro - inexpensive strips, small blood sample
Bayer Contour - not overly expensive strips, small blood sample and not coding needed

I've used both and both do a decent job.
 
The unbranded version of the Confirm and Confirm Micro are called the Glucocard 01 and 01 Mini. Both are available online at ADW
The test strips online may be less expensive, once you've got your initial supply done.
 
I use Target's UP&UP meter (rebranded onsync). Cheap strips, reliable, and very very small sample size. If you have an iphone, I think there is a sync app too.
 
We use the Relion Confirm and Relion Micro meters. I just got a batch of the new Glucocard 01 Plus strips from ADW. They have a much smaller 'sipping strip' than the older test strips, but they seem to work better with their sipping action than the older strips.
 
On a human meter, we usually consider "normal range" to be from 40-120 if that helps.
 
I'm just starting to test. How often do I do it? What numbers am I looking for? Going to change insulin from HumulinN to Lantus. Vet said to start with 2U. Is that a lot to start with?This is all so confusing!!!
 
catluvr said:
I'm just starting to test. How often do I do it? What numbers am I looking for? Going to change insulin from HumulinN to Lantus. Vet said to start with 2U. Is that a lot to start with?This is all so confusing!!!
Click to expand...

2u does seem like a high starting does for Lantus. How many units of Humulin are you giving now?

As far as testing goes, you for sure want to always test at preshot to make sure the number is high enough to shoot. Then you'll want to get some midcycle numbers to find out when the insulin is kicking in, when it's peaking, and how long it's lasting. You'll want to know how low they are going so you can adjust the dose if needed. Once you get enough tests to fill in the blanks, you can ease back on it. During the week, I test before shots, and right before bed to make sure Bud isn't dropping too fast so I can go to sleep without worrying. And then I'll test randomly on the weekends to see what he's doing midcycle where I don't get to see that during the week.
 
Deb & Wink said:
We use the Relion Confirm and Relion Micro meters. I just got a batch of the new Glucocard 01 Plus strips from ADW. They have a much smaller 'sipping strip' than the older test strips, but they seem to work better with their sipping action than the older strips.
Click to expand...
What does OTJ mean on the chart?
 
WOW! That's great for Bud! I found a pharmacy that gave me one Lantus pen for $25. I used the discount card from the Lantus website. I also purchased the Relion glucometer. It was very interesting getting that blood sample! I got it from his ear. Any suggestions how to make that part easier? His BG was 327, so I gave kk the 2U. I checked it this morning and it was 324, so I gave him 2U. I will try to check it every 2 hours to see what him numbers are. Does that sound okay?
 
Unfortunately Bud isn't OTJ, you must have seen it in someone elses chart. Bud isn't even regulated yet, but I am switching to Levemir Friday, so I am really hoping that helps his numbers.

That is really awesome that you found a pharmacy to sell you one pen for $25! As far as the testing goes, what helped me the most in the beginning was to use a bigger gauge lancet, like 26 I think. They are made for alternate site testing. Now that I have the hang of testing, I switched to a 30 gauge lancet. Warming the ear with a rice sock helps tremendously too, and I still do that. Also he gets low carb treats after testing like freeze dried chicken or sometimes I'll bake plain chicken and shred it for him. Is your cat squirmy or is he tolerating it pretty well? I just wrap Bud's front paws up in a blanket as he does like to get feisty and try and get away sometimes. Checking every 2 hours is a perfect plan, but kitty might need some time to settle into that 2 unit dose before you will really know how it will effect his numbers since Lantus builds up a depot.
 
Sorry, I must have read someone elses chart. What are you using now? Kitkat is letting me do it but keeps flicking his ear. It takes two of us!! Now that I can do this at home, how do I interpret the numbers? What is a depot?
 
I am using ProZinc right now. It is an “in and out” insulin meaning that the insulin has worn off by the next shot. Lantus and Levemir are depot insulins that are absorbed slowly resulting in a longer lasting effect. They build a reserve that is released over a period of time as needed. That’s why it’s so important to be as consistent as you can with timing and dose as one shot affects the next.



As far as numbers go, 50-120 on a human glucometer is considered normal. I’m going to tag @BJM here to give her wonderful instructions on setting up a spreadsheet, and she has glucometer notes in her signature.
 
Can we get you started using our grid to record your glucose tests? It will help us give you better feedback. Instructions are here.

Understanding the spreadsheet/grid:

The colored headings at the top are the ranges of glucose values. They are color-coded to clue you in as to meaning.

Each day is 1 row. Each column stores different data for the day.

From left to right, you enter
the Date in the first column
the AMPS (morning pre-shot test) in the 2nd column
the Units given (turquoise column)

Then, there are 11 columns labeled +1 through +11
If you test at +5 (5 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +5 column
If you test at +7 (7 hours after the shot), you enter the test number in the +7 column
and so on.

Halfway across the page is the column for PMPS (evening pre-shot)
To the right is another turquoise column for Units given at the evening shot.

There is second set of columns labeled +1 through +11
If you snag a before bed test at +3, you enter the test number in the +3 column.

We separate day and night numbers like that because many cats go lower at night.

It is merely a grid for storing the info; no math required.
 
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