Testing your meter with control solution?

[TvBabe]

I had a situation tonight that got me wondering. I use the One Touch Ultra Smart as my main meter and use the Ascencia Contour as a backup.

I have a few questions for everyone:

1. How often do you test your meter with control solution?

2. How long is your control solution good for?


Reason I ask, earlier tonight I tested (with the One Touch) and the reading was way off, so I did a control and then things were back into what I would have considered the normal range for that time of the day/food intake/length since I'd eaten. I was a little surprised that I had to do a control tonight since I had done a control on this meter just 5 days ago. I've only had it a month so I'm wondering if maybe it's a faulty meter?


Also when you do replace your control solution where the heck do you get it from? the drug store? or do you phone the company and ask for a new bottle?

[archimeech]

To be honest, I don't think I have ever done a control test on a meter that I was using. Luckily have never had the problems stated.

[archimeech]

This may not be the case, but I think it relates to the topic of this thread.

Spitzer Warns of Overseas Diabetes Test Strips in N.Y.
By Nancy Dooling

BINGHAMPTON, NY, November 19--State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer warned diabetics and their caregivers Thursday that blood-testing strips intended only for use overseas have shown up in central New York's adult institutions.

Spitzer's office issued the alert on the day the Press & Sun-Bulletin reported that the test strips a Vestal man was using were giving incorrect readings because they were manufactured for use outside the United States.

Rick Murphy, 47, reported his discovery more than three weeks ago to Spitzer's office. He also notified the state Department of Health, which also is investigating, officials there said Wednesday.

Use of the overseas strips could result in a false reading of blood-sugar levels of as much as 12 percent, Spitzer said. Monitors used by American diabetics are calibrated differently than the ones used overseas and measure blood-sugar levels differently.

[KLD]

I'd guess that it's the difference between meters that convert from whole blood to plasma readings to match lab results. The difference is about 12 percent so that seems to fit. Most American and Canadian meters now convert to plasma readings, but most UK ones still read in whole blood. I don't know about other countries, but I assume many still use whole blood readings.

Karen

[nantomsuethom]

We have never done a control on Thomas' meter. I didn't think the control would "fix" your monitor. When I worked at the hospital we did controls everyday if the monitor was off it was sent to be fixed.

[koblenz]

I don't know about other meter's, but mine is a Freestyle Flash. It is the only brand I have experience with.

The instructions state that you should do a control solution test each time you open a new vial of strips and anytime you think something is not right. I have followed this proceedure from day one.

On the solution issue... it states on the package for the test solution that it is good for 3 months from the date you break the plastic seal on the little bottle. I write the date I opened in marker on the side of the bottle to be safe.

I get more by calling Therasense (makers of freestyle meters) and tell them I need more, and they send it at no cost. Comes two vials per box, so that lasts 6 months. I have seen it for sale in the drug store and they do sell it on their web site. This makes no sense to me as I just call and they send for free (I guess they are trying to make some money off the unsuspecting).

Therasense will also send you a new lancing device for free if you tell them you broke yours. I have done this twice just to have backup's in the drawer for the day I do break mine.

[archimeech]

right, the control solution just allows you to see if the meter is reading within the proper range on that batch of strips. the only problem with that is I've seen the ranges on the control solution or the strips have at least 100 pts variation. How much of a control is that?
The bottle of strips I'm currently using has a control range of 93-125. That's 32 pts of variation. If you want to consider the bottom end of that range then 32 is more than 33% of 93. so you could possibly be as much as 25-33% off of your correct blood sugar.

[koblenz]

I agree with Meech. My strips and solution have a stated acceptable test range of 80 - 120. Seems like a big gap to me also.

I guess I am fortunate, because my tests with the solution have always ranged from 98 to 104.

[HeatherP]

I VERY rarely ck w/ my control solution. Supposedly you're supposted to ck each new packet of strips w/ a control solution ck.

I can't remember exactly, it says on the package, but once the solution has been opened it expires in 60-90 days.

I used to do all the ck's and such religiously with my first meter, but after a few years and never any problems, it just seemed like wasted time and money.

HeatherP

[Dewey]

Originally posted by HeatherP
I VERY rarely ck w/ my control solution. Supposedly you're supposted to ck each new packet of strips w/ a control solution ck.
I can't remember exactly, it says on the package, but once the solution has been opened it expires in 60-90 days.

I used to do all the ck's and such religiously with my first meter, but after a few years and never any problems, it just seemed like wasted time and money.

HeatherP I agree, Heather, and have rarely checked mine either. Because strips cost so much, I just can't see wasting them like that. If the meter's results don't reflect the way I feel, I re-check. I've seemed to do pretty well with that logic, lol... :D

[rzrbks]

it just seemed like wasted time and money.

Yep, me too. The only time I have checked is when this seem off, three meters ago.:D

[JasonJayhawk]

koblenz is right -- they like to give the solution out for free, because when you test on a $1.00 strip, they make their money back quickly!

I only test when I receive a new lot of strips from someone one Bay. It's usually just a sanity check for me to make sure that the strips the ebay seller sent me actually "work" -- e.g., hadn't been sitting in a hot garage or frozren, hurting the glucose oxidase enzyme in the strip.

[Jenny]

LOL I rarely test my meter with solution like the instructions say to. Maybe once every two months or so.

[buzzborne]

I don't test my meter at all... though think that I might find the stuff and start!