Meter errors due to cold temperatures?

[lgvincent]

During the last few weeks, there have been a number of cold days here and I'm getting a lot of errors with my meter. I'm guessing it's due to the cold temperatures since it happens most often overnight or in the morning, when the meter is a bit on the cool side. Does it happen to anyone else when it gets cold?

[Clint]

not for me... but my meter never really gets cold...

as a test, if your meter is cold, hold it in your hands for a few minutes and then use it... if it works, then you can assume it errors when cold... BTW - what meter are you using?

[HeatherP]

Mine stays in a pretty constant temp, but even traveling I don't usually have a problem in lower temps.

Is it your Flash meter? If so, several months ago I had a vial of strips that I probably "lost" about 1/2 of them to errors. :mad: Hope that's not what's happening to you!

Have you ck'd the manual to see if the error message # refers you to a specific problem?

[lgvincent]

Yep, that's the one. I've looked at the manual but I can't find if it is affected by cold temperatures or not.

[Clint]

I am using a flash as well and haven't had any problems... hmm very interesting :)

[HeatherP]

My manual says operating temp s/b 40 - 104 degrees.

The test strip vial says under 86 degrees.

[gettingby]

I had this problem last year with my Reli-On Meter (Wal-Mart brand). We went camping and it wasn't an altitude problem so I guess it was the cold. After my meter warmed up, everything was fine. :thumbsup:

[rzrbks]

gettingby
After my meter warmed up, everything was fine.

Flowers and a candlelit dinner? :whistling :smartass:









Actually, I don't think I've ever had a problem with temperature and my metre.

[Funnygrl]

I used to have problems with my Freestyle meter from the cold when I skied. I ended up giving it to one of the ticket office workers to hold, since they were indoors, which worked. It is effected by cold.

[KrisinNM]

The best meter I ever had was a Precision Pen, unfortunately they don't make them anymore. :( That thing went with me on the snowmobile when we would ride all day in below freezing temps, then go on vacation to AZ where we would ride ATV's in heat over 100 deg. It never gave a wrong reading or error. The reason I got it in the first place was because at the time we were living in Colorado above 9,000' elevation and it was about the only one that wasn't affected by the altitude. I sure miss that meter :( Can't belive how wimpy all the newest ones are.

[dixiepixie64]

Hi Kris,
I am planning a late June trip to Wyoming and I think I recall the altitude at one location being 8,600. Can I expect meter problems? Do they throw errors typically or just give bogus readings? Wow. I would've never thought of that being an issue and was glad to see your post.

I am using the BD logic that communicates with my Minimed 515. I am on the fence about it. It is ridiculously sensitive to the cold and sometimes completely inaccurate. What really made me mad is one morning at the 3 a.m. check it threw two errors on me and I finally gave up and had to get out my old trusty Accuchek. AHHHHHHHH!!!!

Thanks,
Gale

[KrisinNM]

Gale, if the altitude info isn't in all the printed stuff that came with the meter then look up their website and email your question directly to them. Don't know if it is as much a problem as it was 10 years ago but it had something to do with air pressure on the little spot where you put the blood.
Lucky you to be going to WY, it is so pretty there.
:topic: I am truly impressed that you can run as far as you do without hypos. WOW!

[dixiepixie64]

Thanks, Kris, for alerting me that altitude might be a problem. I will check into it further. I would've never thought of it!

I have a complicated set of parameters I follow for my long distance runs which I won't go into off topic here but would be glad to share if anyone is struggling. I found some great advice by joining the Diabetes Exercise & Sports Association. The message boards are fairly inactive on their site, but the information that is posted is excellent. I am particularly inspired by a gal in NC who left a HUGE post detailing her training as a professional athlete/Type 1/Olympic level marathoner. She is amazing! Personally, I just want to finish around Oprah's marathon time. ha ha ha

[gettingby]

Flowers and a candlelit dinner? :whistling :smartass:









Actually, I don't think I've ever had a problem with temperature and my metre.
LOL rzr !!!!!!!!!! You got me there. :D

[Mario]

My meter is a BD link which came with my minimed 712. Unfortunatly, it is very cold nowadays. Maybe -25 to -30 C. So my meter show me often a E-2 error which means that the meter is to cold to do the test. My one touch ultra smart works well every times :mad: I think I'll go back with my one touch.

[Clint]

I will be going back to my Ultra Smart soon too... its the only one that you can go back and forth when looking at readings...