[koblenz]

I read last night that the Medisense Precision Xtra meter will do Ketone testing as well as BS testing.

I was considering picking up one of these meters (or asking for it for X-Mas) as an alternative to pee'ing on the strips (Keto-Stix). Just wondering if anyone has any experience with it and how well it works.

Thankfully, I have not had a need to test for Ketones yet (knock on wood). As infrequently as I would need to use the ketone testing feature (I hope!) , I am not that concerned about cost. You can get the strips individually wrapped so they won't go bad too quick. I would not really need it for the BS testing as I have two meters and the BS test strips for my Flash are covered by my insurance.

Not that I don't enjoy pee'ing on a little piece of paper... I mean, who doesn't just love that!

[buzzborne]

I have seen an article on this in one of my BDA mags... they were doing a promotion deal for it or something, I havent heard anythng more about it, but was going to question it at my next diabetic clinic to see what they thought about it.

[SunniD]

I have used it a lot and like the meter and the ketone answers.
I have found that the stores do not readily carry the sticks so had trouble getting them in and there's only 6 or so in a box.
I also found that I didn't spill ketones till bgs hit 20 mmol/L but I'm
sure ymmv on that.

I found the precision xtra ketone meter helpful if you were going to pump as you can go into DKA rather quickly, so this will tell you if you're spilling ketones and you can follow the proper procedure to reduce the bgs and your ketones or you can directly head to emerg. You don't want to bring bgs down too quickly either and cause a low or fall asleep and then have a low. I believe you bring bgs down slowly with 5 - 10 units of insulin /hour and more bg testing till the bgs are in a good range.

Urine does not show ketones for 4 hours so it's less appropriate if going into DKA while pumping. Blood shows it quicker and it's
good to have this meter.

Drawbacks-those foil wrapped sticks are hard to open and harder
if your muscles are weakened from bp medications.

Meter is easy to use and cal though. Strips for ketones are pricey
also.

Hope this helps you out some.

SunniD

[Dewey]

Hey Koblenz,

That looks like a really cool meter. Haven't tried it personally, but have heard from others who love it. I think debaroo might be of great help, as she uses that meter. I really dig that it glows in the dark! There's some interesting info. on the Children with Diabetes site:

Medisense Precision Xtra

and the Precision Xtra site offers some useful info. along with pics and details on the monitor...

Precision Xtra Site

Hope these help. Please keep us posted...

[Funnygrl]

I picked up the Precision Xtra for 9 bucks one day at Walgreens, did the rebate, and it was free. The ketone strips comem nine in a box. They take a good size drop of blood and you have a result in 30 seconds. They are coming out with a new smaller version of this meter soon, so it may be worth the wait, but I believe current users can upgrade for free.

[koblenz]

Thanks FG and everyone else for the 411.

Maybe I will wait a while for the newer "miniture" model. I was going to ask for it for X-mas.