[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!

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!

[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]

Originally Posted by 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..................

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?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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:

First at home test

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]

Originally Posted by 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:

First at home test

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]

Originally Posted by duck

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!