two tests gave very different numbers

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Michael plazz

Michael plazz

Member Since 2020
Hello, in my second week of managing my cat's diabetes, and just did two tests, a few minutes apart, the first one came back at 280, which is the lowest number I have ever gotten, and I decided to try again, and got 618, which is more consistent with the numbers I have been getting. I don't understand why I got such radically different numbers? New meter, new strips, using the AlphaTrak2 meter.
I assume it was my mistake, just not sure what I did?!

My poor cat is turning into a pincushion, and it is frustrating to think the tests can be so inaccurate.
I know the strips can be faulty, but if this is true, how can I trust any of these numbers?

BTW, thanks in advance, it was great to discover this group, I have gotten some great tips and some much-needed reassurance from other posts, and I will add it to my Amazon account :)
 
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Michael Plassmeyer said:
Hello, in my second week of managing my cat's diabetes, and just did two tests, a few minutes apart, the first one came back at 280, which is the lowest number I have ever gotten, and I decided to try again, and got 618, which is more consistent with the numbers I have been getting. I don't understand why I got such radically different numbers? New meter, new strips, using the AlphaTrak2 meter.
I assume it was my mistake, just not sure what I did?!

My poor cat is turning into a pincushion, and it is frustrating to think the tests can be so inaccurate.
I know the strips can be faulty, but if this is true, how can I trust any of these numbers?
Click to expand...
Others here are more experienced and may have some ideas, but I know something as simple as your finger touching the end of the strip can cause issues. Or even perhaps something on the fur? I've seen others say allow 20% variance in readings (may be specific to human meters though), which can be a big difference.

I too feel bad about all the ear pokes, just keep telling myself it's keeping him much healthier...even if I go through the ear for the 100th time.
 
Hi Michael and welcome!!

I’m not sure what to say but others will I’m sure!

good job on home testing. It’s tough at first but it does get easier for both you and your cat’s ears :cat:

can you do us a favor and take a look at this link?

http://www.felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/new-how-you-can-help-us-help-you.216696/

You’ll find info about setting up your signature and a spreadsheet where you can record the numbers you’re getting when you test so we can all see the data and help guide you best

welcome again!! :bighug:
 
Oh one more thing, if you worry about the strips’ reliability there’s a calibration solution you can get to test each batch of strips and make sure they’re accurate. I don’t use alphatrack but I’m sure you’ll find the info in the manual or on their site. You typically have to order it as it doesn’t come with the meter but if you call their customer service and share your experience with the difference in the tests, they might send it out to you for free.
 
WELCOME TO FDMB! The best place to find answers! So many things can screw up a strip moisture as in humidity, As FrosyD said just touching the strip (oil on hands) can alter the test. We've all been there. My suggestion unfortunately would be to test again. That is ONLY if your litty isnt too stressed out.

again WELCOME!
jeanne
 
Michael plazz said:
Thank you, everyone! I will be sure to set up a spreadsheet, and get that up by tomorrow, and I will definitely get the control solution.
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Great! Could you also do your signature please. Only takes a couple of minutes and it will appear at the bottom of all your posts and tell us about your kitty. The link is also in the link you were given above.
 
Ok, my signature has my spreadsheet link now. Do I need to add anything else?
Just FYI, my vet had me doing 2 units for a couple of weeks, now 3 units for this week, so I have not been testing more than twice a day (mostly just once), she wanted to get some preliminary numbers, and see how Milo responded; I assume she will adjust his units, and I 'm guessing I will have to test more often after that.
 
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Michael plazz said:
Ok, my signature has my spreadsheet link now. Do I need to add anything else?
Just FYI, my vet had me doing 2 units for a couple of weeks, now 3 units for this week, so I have not been testing more than twice a day (mostly just once), she wanted to get some preliminary numbers, and see how Milo responded; I assume she will adjust his units, and I 'm guessing I will have to test more often after that.
Click to expand...
Hi Michael , good job setting the spreadsheet up, but you didn't do your signature
Take a look under my post this one you will see my signature
stateing

Make sure your signature is up-to-date.
  • On the left, under Settings, Click on Signature. This is where you will put information that helps us give you feedback.
    • There is a limit of two lines which may include two links; you may separate pieces with commas, dashes, | etc. This is where you paste the link for your spreadsheet, once it is set up.
    • Add any other text, such as
    • Caregiver & kitty's name (optional)
    • DX: Date
    • Name of Insulin
    • Name of your meter
    • Diet: "LC wet" or "dry food" or "combo"
    • Dosing: TR or SLGS or Custom (if applicable)
    • DKA or other recent health issue (if applicable)
    • Acro, IAA, or Cushings (if applicable)
    • Spreadsheet link. Please put the signature link on the bottom line of your signature information, on its own, so it is easy to find.
    • Please do not put any information about your location in the signature for security reasons. If you wish to add your country location, please add it to your profile.
Be sure to click the 'Save Changes' button at the bottom. If you need help urgently it is important we know these things at a glance. We don’t want to waste valuable time finding out information
Also you should really be testing more than just the pre shots. test maybe @+2(2 hours after you shot the insulin)then @+5 and @+8, then maybe @+3, then @+6 and @+8, same thing at night, you want to scatter them. We do this to see how the insulin is working and how low the insulin is taking Milo, the more info you gather the better we can help you with doses, etc
Ask as many questions that you want to
Milo is such a cutie
 
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Michael plazz said:
Ok, my signature has my spreadsheet link now. Do I need to add anything else?
Just FYI, my vet had me doing 2 units for a couple of weeks, now 3 units for this week, so I have not been testing more than twice a day (mostly just once), she wanted to get some preliminary numbers, and see how Milo responded; I assume she will adjust his units, and I 'm guessing I will have to test more often after that.
Click to expand...

Michael, I can’t see your signature. It should appear at the bottom of all your posts. Did you save it?

Looking at the SS I can see you are using an alphatrak meter.
What type of insulin are you giving?

I would highly recommend you test before every shot to see it is safe to give the insulin.

I would also recommend you test during the cycle as well. We need to see how low the dose is taking Milo. If you are not testing during the cycle you will have no idea what is happening. Many cats will start off with a red or black BG, drop dramatically down low and then bounce back up to a red or black by the next shot time. Unless you are testing, you won’t know.

Also if Milo drops low during one of the cycles he can bounce for up to 6 cycles. That is another reason to be testing during every cycle....so you can see when a bounce starts and when it stops. Bounces can happen when a cat drops too low, too fast or lower than he is used to. This causes his body to panic and dump regulatory hormones and stored glucose into his system causing the BG to skyrocket for up to 6 cycles. There is nothing you can do with bouncing once it has happened but wait it out.

I would also recommend only increasing the dose in 1/4 (0.5) unit increments because if you go up in 1 unit increments you can miss the best dose and it is also safer to do smaller increases.

I would also be testing during the PM cycle. It is just as important as the am cycle. Cats often drop lower at night so it is a really good idea to get a before bed test in, and if that test is lower than the preshot, that could mean an active cycle so I would set the alarm and get up later and check that the BG has not fallen too far.

Keep asking questions:)
 
Bron and Sheba (GA) said:
Michael, I can’t see your signature. It should appear at the bottom of all your posts. Did you save it?

Looking at the SS I can see you are using an alphatrak meter.
What type of insulin are you giving?

I would highly recommend you test before every shot to see it is safe to give the insulin.

I would also recommend you test during the cycle as well. We need to see how low the dose is taking Milo. If you are not testing during the cycle you will have no idea what is happening. Many cats will start off with a red or black BG, drop dramatically down low and then bounce back up to a red or black by the next shot time. Unless you are testing, you won’t know.

Also if Milo drops low during one of the cycles he can bounce for up to 6 cycles. That is another reason to be testing during every cycle....so you can see when a bounce starts and when it stops. Bounces can happen when a cat drops too low, too fast or lower than he is used to. This causes his body to panic and dump regulatory hormones and stored glucose into his system causing the BG to skyrocket for up to 6 cycles. There is nothing you can do with bouncing once it has happened but wait it out.

I would also recommend only increasing the dose in 1/4 (0.5) unit increments because if you go up in 1 unit increments you can miss the best dose and it is also safer to do smaller increases.

I would also be testing during the PM cycle. It is just as important as the am cycle. Cats often drop lower at night so it is a really good idea to get a before bed test in, and if that test is lower than the preshot, that could mean an active cycle so I would set the alarm and get up later and check that the BG has not fallen too far.

Keep asking questions:)
Click to expand...
Hey Bron , you said everything better than I can, thank you:cat:
 
Did you put the new strip code into the meter? Each vial of alphatrak 2 strips had a cat code and dog code on the vial, and the code varies from vial to vial. Also if a sample is too small that could mess it up. And make sure you do the protruding straw on the black dot into the drop and not scoop the drop on top of it.
 
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