Do you use a Hemocue Glucose Monitor?

DesertDiabetic · #1 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 04:28 PM

Being a type 2 I don't need a meter that is precise. I can exist with the ones available to me. I would like a Hemocue meter just because I would like to know what my real blood glucose readings are, all the time.

If you are not aware of the Hemocue google it. It is a great machine, gives lab accurate results - for a cost.

I would think a type 1 would have a use for such an accurate machine. Corrections have to be done where as for myself and most type 2's we don't need to correct 'right now.'

If you have found a way to get one how did you do it. The company will not deal with diabetics directly. Most likely because of the very extensive procedures it takes to release to the general public. They are trying to come out with an end user version....

JediSkipdogg · #2 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 05:18 PM

The Hemocue as far as I know is only available to hospitals to use. The device is VERY VERY expensive. It is $785 for the base unit, and then $279 for 200 test strips. Not a single insurance company will pay for it and there really isn't a need for one. Current meters have a requirement to be 80%, however, many are 95%+ accurate. I've yet to have one that is anywhere close to the 80%. Therefore, paying that amount of money on a meter is just rediculous unless you plan on getting your control super tight. Firstly, you would need to be on a pump and secondly have 100% accurate carb info. Otherwise, the meter will be accurate for you, but what changes are you going to make having a reading of 100 vs 107? I highly doubt any changes.

DesertDiabetic · #3 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 05:25 PM

Like I said type 2 don't really need accuracy - unless they are on insulin and go low.

I have been with a type 1 that was went low at dinner. No matter what he did he could not get his glucose level to rise. At that time he mentioned he wishes he had an accurate meter so he would know for sure where he stood.

as far as cost that is relative to your abilities to pay. It comes down to can you afford it and how important is accuracy to you. I don't care if people use them or not, I just want to know if anyone does use them. Being authorized for hospitals only does not mean someone is going to use one.

JediSkipdogg · #4 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertDiabetic

I have been with a type 1 that was went low at dinner. No matter what he did he could not get his glucose level to rise. At that time he mentioned he wishes he had an accurate meter so he would know for sure where he stood.

What says the meter he was using wasn't accurate?

DesertDiabetic · #5 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 05:34 PM

Nothing said that it was wrong. Have you had numbers down in the 20's and 30's showed concern. He was concerned about the fact that the numberws were not coming. Wouldn't you, at least, be concerned about are the numbers correct. Are they really lower - are they really higher? When it happens you are stuck with what is in front of you and if it is wrong it can hurt you. Being concened is self preservation - having a known accurate meter would have done away with that 'now knowing'

JediSkipdogg · #6 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertDiabetic

Nothing said that it was wrong. Have you had numbers down in the 20's and 30's showed concern. He was concerned about the fact that the numberws were not coming. Wouldn't you, at least, be concerned about are the numbers correct. Are they really lower - are they really higher? When it happens you are stuck with what is in front of you and if it is wrong it can hurt you. Being concened is self preservation - having a known accurate meter would have done away with that 'now knowing'

If I test and have a result in the 30s and test again 30 minutes later after drinking OJ and am still in the 30s, I usually just wait again and find out that it took longer for my BG to raise.

There's still nothing saying a Hemocue can't be innacurate, not to mention they require a large amount of blood. Tell me the last time you got a fingerstick that you could get a 5 microliter blood sample from? That is 5 Ultra strips, or 17 Flash strips. And without filling that much blood, you may not get accurate results.

The device also takes up to a minute to give you a result and is about the size of a PDA.

I know you say some may like it, but when current BG meters are free, and test strips are covered by insurance companies, not to mention are 95% accurate (depending on the meter you use) it's hard to find any logic in using a Hemocue over a conventional meter.

BriOnH · #7 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 06:49 PM

My freestyle flash meter has matched lab results exactly two times and was off by 3 mg/dl a third time.

Shotokan · #8 (**permalink**) 05-31-2006, 08:53 PM

Actually, there is a consumer version of the Hemocue meter. Mendosa writes about it here:
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read,3001,4515.html
It's supposed to be priced about the same as conventional meters.