Newbie So confused.....

[JJ7]

I was given a One Touch testing meter by my healthcare provider although a relative had already bought me a Freestyle.
The One Touch is giving vastly higher readings than the Freestyle. For example, this morning fasting with Freestyle was 102 whereas the One Touch was showing 142 (using blood sample at exactly the same time from the same finger. I have calibrated both machines using their testing solutions and both seem ok, although the One Touch is at the highest end of the range. How do I know which machine is giving the correct result?

[HeatherP]

Hi JJ and welcome. It's is considered acceptable for there to be as much as a 30 point difference between meter/readings. The best thing for you to do would be to pick one and stick with it. I realize that this may not "feel" like the right way to do things, but the most important thing is consistancy. If the meter gives you a reading that matches how you feel, then it's probably right. My CDE gave me a Freestyle a year or so ago and then I got the Flash - she says it was (at the time) the most accurate. You can do tons of research if you like, and you'll get many opinions here, so feel free to ask questions.

Nice to meet you
HeatherP

[JJ7]

Thank you for responding HeatherP, and nice to meet you too.

Wow, 30 points difference is huge.

I would love to stick with the Freestyle but the test strips are so expensive. My HCP only lets me use the One Touch and the strips from them are way cheaper but more depressing results :o(

JJ

[HeatherP]

Yeah, the insurance situation can be difficult to deal with. In many cases, you can have your doctor call your insurance/rx plan and request a special authorization for something that they don't cover as a "standard" (such as non-formulary drugs). Remember, if you don't ask, many times you won't get, so it's worth a try. Other members here buy strips online and on ebay, so it may be worth looking into. The Therasense strips do seem to be some of the most expensive.

HeatherP

[Dewey]

Hi JJ7,

Welcome aboard and glad to have you with us. :) It's truly hard to say which one is accurate. I've referenced different meters, and like you, have found the One Touch to read higher than most. I used to be strictly devoted to the One Touch Ultra, but after I no longer had insurance coverage, the strips became too pricey (for me) and I had to find another way.

Like Heather said, some of the best strip prices can be found online. I've shopped at a couple of online places, including eBay and the Diabetes Mall. They usually have Freestyle strips, and on the Diabetes Mall, they're only $27.95 for a box of 50. If you'd like the web address, just drop me a PM or an e-mail, and I'll gladly help out. Anytime we Diabetics can save money, it helps us and our pockets...lol :D

Again, welcome and hope this helps you some. :)

[Belinda]

Hello JJ7 and welcome. Your right the finding of the right meter is difficult for us all. You have to find one you like and stick with it. I use a One Touch Ultra and I have 4 of those meters. I did go through a time period where I was using various meters to find the right fit for me...I think I have (at least until they come up with a better/smaller one). :)

[JJ7]

Hi

Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

I thought, being a newbie and green, that all monitors worked in sync. If they all work to the same standard, then it's ridiculous they don't all read the same.

I'm pretty much stuck with the One Touch Surestep for the moment at least - I've got quite a stock of test strips!

I agree with you Dewey, saving money is priority especially when you're on a budget like me. I bought the Freestyle test strips from Allegro Medical online @ $54 for 100. Is that a good deal or is there anywhere cheaper.

[archimeech]

JJ,
I used to use the freestyle meters and loved them. They aren't covered by my new insurance either.

I now use the onetouch UltraSmart. I never used the surestep, but I really like the ultrasmart. it works fairly well, is easily downloaded to the PC and gives me a good accurate view of what my sugars are running. Maybe you might want to check into changing to it, if your insurance covers the onetouch brand of strips.

Also, read my article about not paying for a glucometer in this same section.

[HeatherP]

$54 for 100 Freestyle strips is a good price. My local pharmacy sells them for around $76/100.

HeatherP

[JJ7]

I sent Therasense an email regarding the huge discrepancy between the two machines, and they sent me this reply with a great suggestion about comparing my lab results with the 2 machines. As luck would have it, I have blood work scheduled for tomorrow so I will do as they say.

Quote:-

Thank you for contacting Abbott Diabetes Care, maker of FreeStyle and Precision products. A way to test the meters for accuracy would be to take them along with you the next time you go for blood work. When they draw your blood, take one test with the FreeStyle and record the reading. Then perform another test, at that moment with the One touch and record that reading as well. When you get the Lab Results back, see which meter is more accurate than the other. I hope that I've answered your question.

[HeatherP]

You may want to use a finger stick sample rather that what's drawn from your blood vessel. I think it makes a difference.

[JJ7]

That's a great idea HeatherP, I'll take my finger sticks along.

JJ

[SunniD]

There is no comparison between whole blood glucose answers and plasma blood glucose answers which are used in a lab to obtain your glucoses. One is always higher. Just as you can't compare meters because the methods of analysis of glucose are different as well as other variables.

For instance, if I run contols on a LX20 analyzer using a glucose oxidase method for glucoses, my controls will vary 3 S.D. (standard deviations) If for the comparison we say that a S.D.
is equal to % you will see that you can't get the same answer
twice. If I run the same sample 20x I will get a range.
For instance a glucose of 6.0 will have a range of 2 S.D. which will be 6.0 plus or minus 1.2 therefore 4.8-7.2. 90% of the readings
will be within that range, 10% will be outside that range.
Some tests are tighter for controls than others but this is checked
with quality control against other machines in Canada and the States and the lab has to maintain the equipment well enough
to get the controls in the proper ranges. This is as good as is medically possible. Potassiums for instance are much tighter
whereas ureas and creatinines are much wider.

[Funnygrl]

I have an Ultra too, but a Freestyle Flash is my main meter. At the lab they would not let me use my meter, so I did a test in the car as soon as I got out. The Flash gave me a 72, lab gave me a 71. Use a finger stick for the best result.

[JJ7]

I didn't think of the possibility they might not like me doing my own test. Probably better to leave it until I get back in the car afterwards.

I understand now that each machine does it's own "thing" but there shouldn't be such a wide difference in results. This morning again I got a 95 from the Freestyle and a 143 from the other one. That's a 48 point difference. To me it seems a waste of time noting the numbers from now on except to see what makes my blood sugar go up or down.

[rzrbks]

JJ7

To me it seems a waste of time noting the numbers from now on except to see what makes my blood sugar go up or down.

Now, you're on the right track.

You have to find the meter you're most comfortable with. The one whose # you like the best as an indicator of how you actually feel.

Then stick with that meter.

I remember when I first started and got readings all over the place depending on the meter I was using. I kept hunting for the "Perfect" meter...

I finally said "To heck with it", or words to that effect:o and have now stuck with the same meter.

Find the one you're happy with--stick with that one.

Or jump around if that makes you happy. The main thing is control your #!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JJ7]

Had the blood work done this morning and rushed like a crazy person back out to the car to take readings from the 2 monitors. LOL.

Rzrbks - yep, finally I get it, I guess it's a learning curve for everyone. The Freestyle suits me best and I feel comfortable using it, so I'm going to stick with that one.

E-bay seems to be a great place to find cheap test strips too. Thanks to the person who pointed me in that direction.

[rzrbks]

Excellent!!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[JJ7]

Update for anyone that's interested.

I got my lab results back. A1C was 5.6

The test I did in the car with the two monitors showed the Freestyle to be spot on. It gave exactly the same results as the lab test. Two thumbs up for the Freestyle :D

The One Touch Surestep was 25 points off. I'm convinced this monitor is a duffer and luckily my HCP agrees, so they've given me a replacement (which I haven't tried out yet) :rolleyes:

[Dewey]

Thanks, JJ. That's awesome news about your A1C, and it's very interesting to hear that the Freestyle results were so accurate. Thanks again for the info. :)