Different results from different meters

[BeadieJay]

I've been using a One Touch Ultra meter up till today, when I started using an Accu-Chek Advantage. I decided to change for two reasons....one so that I'd always have a spare, and secondly because I'd been told that the Accu-Chek didn't hurt as much as the One Touch, and I'm already sick of the pain LOL.

Anyways, I just used my Accu-Chek for the first time, but also tested my results with the One Touch Ultra, to see how they compared.

The Accu-Chek gave me a reading of 8.0 (144) and the One Touch a reading of 8.8 (158.4).....this was for 2 hours after lunch, and I'm still working on getting my numbers down as I was only diagnosed about 6 weeks ago. Actually, either of those readings are pretty depressing, as I had hardly anything to eat at lunch that contained carbs :( <big sigh>

Should I be worried at the difference in readings?....should I do more tests, should I keep using the One Touch (and maybe using the pricker of the Accu-Chek).

Any advice most gratefully received :)

[HeatherP]

I'm sure you'll get plenty of different opinions here Beadie.

I think such a small difference is acceptable. You should make a choice though as to which one you'll use regularly, so you have consistent results.

I once ck'd my meter against my doc's and they were 20+ points off. Now THAT's something to be concerned about. The difference of 8-8.8/144-158 is very small and would most likely not cause you to make huge adjustments in your meds. I've been told that a 30% difference between meter results is acceptable.

Like I said before, pick one and stick w/ it.

HeatherP

[lgvincent]

I compared an Accu-Chek Complete with the OneTouch UltraSmart and also got different readings. It turns out the Accu-Chek meter was closer to the actual reading. The Accu-Chek gave a reading of 42, the UltraSmart gave a reading of 63, and the lab gave a reading of 45.

I don't know why the readings were so different. They were all from the same blood sample, but the Accu-Chek was close to the lab reading so I trust it more.

I don't understand what you mean about the Accu-Chek being less painful. I'm guessing you're referring to the lancet device. I really like the SoftClix lancet device made by Roche too, so I'm guessing one came with the meter. If you feel more comfortable with the OneTouch meter, you can always use it with the SoftClix lancet device. One thing I don't like about the SoftClix device is it makes large holes in my fingers so I'll use it for a week then use another lancet device for a week to give the holes time to heal. I'm guessing the black spots are just dried blood under the skin but they still don't look too attractive.

[rzrbks]

My back-up is an Elite and my daily use is One Touch.
They tend to be about 1.0/18 apart buyt since I know that I'm not worried.

The Elite is the higher reading.

[Belinda]

if the finger pricker is better from one meter than the other by all means use the one that is less painful. I have different brands of prickers with different meters. It also the fact that I have broken one and flushed one down the toilet!!!!

[Harold]

Originally posted by BeadieJay

The Accu-Chek gave me a reading of 8.0 (144) and the One Touch a reading of 8.8 (158.4)....
That much difference may commonly be seen between meters of the same make. Use the meter and lancing device your comfortable with and keep the other for a backup just in case.

[BeadieJay]

thank you so much for all the replies....and yes, I did mean that the lancet device was less painful - not the actual meter!

I used both meters again last night and got a much bigger difference in numbers, so I'm going to just use the One Touch meter but with the Accu-Chek lancet. I like the idea of testing against the lab results, so will take both meters next time I have blood taken by the doctor.

The only advantage I can see of using the Accu-Chek meter, is that it gives you 15 seconds to get more blood on the test strip if needed.....I'm always wasting strips because I don't get enough blood on them.......but I guess it all comes down to practise!!

thanks again :)

[lgvincent]

Were you ever able to compare the two meters against a labs results? If so, how did it turn out?

[MarkMunday]

I also use an Accu-Chek Advantage and I am happy with the way it works and the accuracy. But it seems to need a lot of blood. Much more than my old Glucocard meter.

Interestingly, according to the diagram below (from the Threrasense website), the Onetouch Ultra requires a much smaller blood sample. So using it should be more comfortable ...

[zookeeper671]

Originally posted by rzrbks
My back-up is an Elite and my daily use is One Touch.
They tend to be about 1.0/18 apart buyt since I know that I'm not worried. The Elite is the higher reading.

Interesting. My Freestyle Flash reads about 10-15mg/dl higher than my One Touch. One Touch is always lower.

[nantomsuethom]

My son, Thomas, will not stick his fingers anymore. His doctor actually recommends using arms. Once he got the hang of it he stopped using fingers. We also bought him a vaculance and it has been wonderful. I have used it a few times and never even felt the stick!!
Nancy

[lgvincent]

I try to get a large drop of blood before checking my blood sugar. I hate to waste a strip because of too little blood or for any other reason.

[dpav]

Hello all
This is my pet peeve about meters. If you can get readings that are consistent all of the time with the rare out of whack one that most will give, then you can control yourself well. The meters will be fine as long as they are consistent.

Do you get the same reading or very close with three tests within a 5 minute period. If so you have a good consistent meter. If the readings are 20 to 70 mg/dsl different from each other then you have a meter that can not be trusted. Most should read fine. Just find the one that stays consistent and you will do fine.

You will get used to the meter either being very close to correct, or a little lower or a little higher than the actual blood reading. If it is consistent we can make the needed adjustments

[koblenz]

I too was a little suspect after starting on my meter. Every time I go to the doctor, they test my BS with a monitor. I just started testing with my monitor right along side of them. I compare my result to theirs. So far, mine has not been more than 14 mm/dl off.

The nurse does look at me a little funny, but this gives me a warm fuzzy that mine is at least close to what my doctor gets.

[BeadieJay]

Originally posted by lgvincent
Were you ever able to compare the two meters against a labs results? If so, how did it turn out?

Hi Lowell, I'm sorry, I meant to answer this much sooner.

Well, um, I only remembered to take one meter with me when I had my A1c blood test done - it's the meter I use all the time, the One Touch Ultra, and the results were very close.

I've got another A1c in 3 months time, so will try to take the other meter with me - I haven't used it again since first testing it, as I'm happiest using the One Touch.

Must make a note in my diary - I've a lousy memory!!

[lgvincent]

I usually take a meter with me and check my blood sugar when blood is drawn so I can compare the meter results to the lab. It may not be perfect but it gives me some idea of how the meter is working.