Meter discrepancies

[Klyla]

Howdy...first timer here! Type 2 for 15 years. Because I have no insurance, I am always on the lookout for ways to keep costs down on my meds, testing supplies, etc.

I've been using the Eckerd branded TrueTrack Smart System for a couple of years and thought it was fine. However, the test strips run close to $1 each.

I heard Wal-mart had it's own brand for a lot less so today I bought a "ReliOn Ultima" which is apparently their house brand. The test strips are only about 40 cents each!

Tonight I decided to test BS with both monitors at the same time. Here are the results of 2 back to back tests on each:

TrueTrack= 179 & 201
ReliOn Ultima= 155 & 159

Now, I really don't know WHAT to think!? Both monitors are calibrated correctly, have very current test strips that have been stored properly. WHY the WIDE discrepancies?

Is my BS really not nearly as bad as I've been thinking all along that it is? I do keep my carbs way down and never get readings below 120...maybe this is why! :dong:

PLEASE someone...tell me what you think! Should I go back to the old meter or put my trust in the #s on the new one? Anybody else have any experience with either of these systems and know how accurate they are?

Thanks for your help! :hmmmm2:

[duck]

Ergh. We have had many debates about meter accuracy, and for what it is worth, it would seem to me that your results are not crazy. Alarming, yes, crazy, no.

A couple of things: Have you had an A1c performed while using the TrueTrack? If so, was it even close to what your TrueTrack was saying your sugars were?

Second, did you try swapping the control solutions on each meter to see what the results were (you said you calibrated...)?

[Klyla]

Umm...I don't think either one of these meters comes with a control solution.

[duck]

How do you know they are calibrated correctly?

In my mind, (and if it were me) I would go back to both pharmacies with my results. And I would ask them to calibrate and verify the meters. Put the onus on them...

[Klyla]

I think I can scare up a bottle of very old control solution somewhere around my house. Do you think I could just try that on a test strip in each meter and see what the results are?

The only "calibration" of the ReliOn involves sticking an initial calibration test strip into the meter and it records it somehow and then you keep that # for that particular box of strips. I don't think the pharmacy would have another calibration strip that would be for this box of test strips.

The TrueTrack meter has a little tabular calibration device you insert into the meter and leave there while using that box of strips. I have checked and am sure it is the right one.

Only thing it seems the pharmacy could do is take that out and reinsert it. I can do that myself!

I guess I'll go see if I can find that control stuff..................

[duck]

I think I can scare up a bottle of very old control solution somewhere around my house. Do you think I could just try that on a test strip in each meter and see what the results are?

The only "calibration" of the ReliOn involves sticking an initial calibration test strip into the meter and it records it somehow and then you keep that # for that particular box of strips. I don't think the pharmacy would have another calibration strip that would be for this box of test strips.

The TrueTrack meter has a little tabular calibration device you insert into the meter and leave there while using that box of strips. I have checked and am sure it is the right one.

Only thing it seems the pharmacy could do is take that out and reinsert it. I can do that myself!

I guess I'll go see if I can find that control stuff..................

The control solution is necessary in these cases. Still, if it were me, I'd probably go back to the Wal-Mart pharmacy and ask to talk with the pharmacist and explain your concerns. Maybe they blow you off, maybe they give you another meter, maybe you waste your time. But it is your health, and they are in the business of customer service. To me, it is a legitimate concern, and if you are polite, to the point and reasonable, they should deal with you accordingly. Eckerd should respond the same.

[Klyla]

Well...that was interesting! The control solution I found expired in 1995 but I gave it a whirl anyway!

ReliOn was 79 and TrueTrack was 144. Unbelievable, eh? :confused:

[Klyla]

I'm wondering if the "new" ReliOn might have been on the shelf a little too long and have a low battery? Would that maybe affect it or is a battery one of those "it either works or it doesn't" type of things? I'm a little technically challenged when it comes to that stuff.

[duck]

I'm wondering if the "new" ReliOn might have been on the shelf a little too long and have a low battery? Would that maybe affect it or is a battery one of those "it either works or it doesn't" type of things? I'm a little technically challenged when it comes to that stuff.

Battery life shouldn't affect the readings...I have meters that are YEARS old and just as accurate (or inaccurate) as any newer meter I have right now.

Hang on, give me five minutes. I'm going to try to make a "control solution" with a Tablespoon of sugar dissolved in a cup of water and post my meter results...

[Klyla]

OK, thanks. Just for grins, I put the battery from the TrueTrack into the ReliOn and tried another reading....got 91....still a far cry from the TrueTrack readings.

[duck]

Ergh. That didn't work out at all...I use Freestyle, and I got Err 1 which can mean a number of things, but I *think* here it means there is a low level of glucose that cannot be tested (I made two samples, 1 TBSP and 1 TSP). Let me add another TBSP...BRB

[duck]

Klyla, I'm having no luck making a "reproducebale control solution", LOL. There's a couple things you can try...Go back to the pharmacies and complain. Second, you can call ANY of the meter companies and tell them you have THEIR meter and cannot find your control solution, and would they send you some more? Be sure to ask them to send instructions too, so you know what results to expect.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to help.

[Klyla]

Thanks. You are so sweet to help me like this. I'm using the time to do some searches. I did find this:

"I am quite familiar with the TrueTrack meters. They are very greatly known for being a lot off. Like, consistently greater than the 20% margin of error standard. " in the thread:

http://www.diabetesforums.com/type-2/10868-first-at-home-test-2.html?highlight=TrueTrack#post123867

Now, THAT would make me suspect that my old trusty TrueTrack isn't so after all. I actually HOPE that turns out to be the case because I have been very frustrated by my high #s in spite of eating correctly.

I can't really go by my A1C because I have been very non-compliant until just a month ago and my old test was 9+. Soooo high that it would be hard to tell if it was the 250s or the 350s that were reigning.

It took me until this year to finally GET IT that eating wrong just isn't an option! At age 56, I'm hoping it's not too much, too little, too late!

Thanks again for all your efforts!

[duck]

Thanks. You are so sweet to help me like this. I'm using the time to do some searches. I did find this:

"I am quite familiar with the TrueTrack meters. They are very greatly known for being a lot off. Like, consistently greater than the 20% margin of error standard. " in the thread:

http://www.diabetesforums.com/type-2/10868-first-at-home-test-2.html?highlight=TrueTrack#post123867

Now, THAT would make me suspect that my old trusty TrueTrack isn't so after all. I actually HOPE that turns out to be the case because I have been very frustrated by my high #s in spite of eating correctly.

I can't really go by my A1C because I have been very non-compliant until just a month ago and my old test was 9+. Soooo high that it would be hard to tell if it was the 250s or the 350s that were reigning.

It took me until this year to finally GET IT that eating wrong just isn't an option! At age 56, I'm hoping it's not too much, too little, too late!

Or option 3, do a search, LOL.

It's never too late. As long as you are breathing, it's never too late.

PS, please see my last post right before YOUR last post, we posted at the same time.

[Klyla]

Second, you can call ANY of the meter companies and tell them you have THEIR meter and cannot find your control solution, and would they send you some more? Be sure to ask them to send instructions too, so you know what results to expect.

I'm sorry I haven't been able to help.

I will consider this. Since the ReliOn is my new one, maybe I'll try it for a few days first. I've found more threads knocking the TrueTrack...I'm beginning to think I've been hornswaggled all along!

Thanks again!

[Dewey]

Hi Klyla and welcome aboard. :shakehand

I can't really comment on the True Track, as I've not owned one, but I do have the ReliOn Ultima and it seems quite reliable to me. Each person is different and has different experiences, so don't take my word as gold, but I've referenced my ReliOn Ultima to the One Touch UltraSmart & it was close in range (like, within 5 to 10 points, if not right on target) to the other.

I've also reference it & the UltraSmart to the Flash, and it was usually close in range to the Flash as well.

Again, that doesn't mean that your meters are a-ok. Like Duck said, it may be best to go back to the pharmacy and talk to them or call customer support lines of the companies. If nothing else, you may score some free strips! ;)

Good luck on this & please keep us posted! Once again, welcome aboard!

[sweetcheeks]

Ok, if I had to trust one over the two, I would trust the new one, just because you said you havnt used the control solution for the other one, and since it expired in 1995 im assuming, that means you had that monitor for a LONG TIME lol you are suppose to calibrate your meter with every new bottle of strips, or when you drop it etc.

i have never used either one of those brands, but i do however have an older meter accucheck advantage, with old control solution, and old strips that i tested one night, with my new one touch mini and believe you me, the accucheck was WAY OFF

new meters should come with solution, i have a feeling if you take those to the pharmacy, they will just say to you, well you need to BUY some solutions and calibrate them correctly. whether it be one or both, so heres what i would do at that point, call reli on and tell them your solutuion wasnt in the box (if it was suppose to be in there)

some meters may not have it in there especially the cheaper versions becuase they want you to buy the extra's to go with it, which indeed means your paying the same price for the meters as you would another name brand meter which everything comes in the box

just my two cents on the matter

[Klyla]

Well, this whole thing gets curiouser and curiouser. I made one last attempt last night before going to bed to compare the 2 meters. THEN the ReliOn said 191 and the TrueTrack said 194!

I discussed all this over lunch today with my electronics engineer husband and he agreed that maybe by my switching the batteries and then switching them back it somehow reseated the battery in the ReliOn and so now was registering correctly where before it was way low compared to my TrueTrack.

Anyway, I'll listen to your suggestions about getting some control solution (that's not 11 years old LOL!) and checking them out before I switch completely over to the ReliOn.

Thanks for all the great feedback! :thumbsup:

[Klyla]

Ok, if I had to trust one over the two, I would trust the new one, just because you said you havnt used the control solution for the other one, and since it expired in 1995 im assuming, that means you had that monitor for a LONG TIME lol you are suppose to calibrate your meter with every new bottle of strips, or when you drop it etc.

i have never used either one of those brands, but i do however have an older meter accucheck advantage, with old control solution, and old strips that i tested one night, with my new one touch mini and believe you me, the accucheck was WAY OFF

new meters should come with solution, i have a feeling if you take those to the pharmacy, they will just say to you, well you need to BUY some solutions and calibrate them correctly. whether it be one or both, so heres what i would do at that point, call reli on and tell them your solutuion wasnt in the box (if it was suppose to be in there)

some meters may not have it in there especially the cheaper versions becuase they want you to buy the extra's to go with it, which indeed means your paying the same price for the meters as you would another name brand meter which everything comes in the box

just my two cents on the matter

Umm...the old control solution was from 2 or 3 meters ago! LOL I went to the pharmacy and they didn't have control solution for the new meter. Went to mfgr's website and got a phone #, called, and they are sending me some free. I'll let y'all know what the results turn out to be. Thanks again!

[w5wjp]

Duck...
Table sugar is sucrose not glucose. Won't work. (organic chem 101)

The Reli-on is a private branded version of a Lifescan meter, I forget what model. Lifescan makes them for Walmart. Functionally it should be identical to the corresponding Lifescan model.

[Dan Gato]

Klyla, don't get discouraged.
I've been reading, a book about diabetes, by Dr. Bernstein, he says that some of the damaged caused by diabetes could be reversed. by changing the diet, some meds & exercise. try to get the book at your local library. I'm impressed by his writing. I've started to lower by carbs.
If you have some feet problems, do feet exercises. keep using either meter & keep reading the postings on the forum.
Talk to you some other time.
Peace on earth.

[Klyla]

Received the control test solution today for the Relion. It tested fine so as of today I am using it. Especially since I just did a reading on the TrueTrack that said 153 and the Relion said 105!

So...I'd say the moral of the story is to once in awhile make sure your meter is accurate! No wonder I couldnt' get my #s down in spite of my as of late healthy eating! :stupid:

Thanks again, y'all!

[Klyla]

Klyla, don't get discouraged.
I've been reading, a book about diabetes, by Dr. Bernstein, he says that some of the damaged caused by diabetes could be reversed. by changing the diet, some meds & exercise. try to get the book at your local library. I'm impressed by his writing. I've started to lower by carbs.
If you have some feet problems, do feet exercises. keep using either meter & keep reading the postings on the forum.
Talk to you some other time.
Peace on earth.

Dan, thanks for the heads up on Dr. Bernstein. I read the book years ago when I didn't have foot problems yet. Guess I'll dig it out of my exhaustive library and read up on foot exercises-something I'm not aware of!

[w5wjp]

Duck...
Table sugar is sucrose not glucose. Won't work. (organic chem 101)

The Reli-on is a private branded version of a Lifescan meter, I forget what model. Lifescan makes them for Walmart. Functionally it should be identical to the corresponding Lifescan model.

Ooooppppsss........my CRS kicked in on this one. The Reli-on Ultima is a private branded Prescision XTRA without the ketone test feature. Made by Abbott. Current wally world price $8.88 and a hundred test strips for around $44-45.

[Klyla]

A friend was over a few days ago with her meter and we tested her and I on her meter and my new Reli-On. On both tests our #s were within 4 pts. of each other, so now I am even more confident in the accuracy of the Reli-On and very glad I made the switch! :)