Blood Glucose Meters

bdubya55

Have a question or comment regarding your meter, testing results or test strips? Share your experience here.

Replies

bdubya55

I'm currently using the Wal-Mart Prime glucose meter and testing strips.

retiree2006

Also using the WalMart ReliOn Prime monitor. It has been very accurate, was reasonably priced, and strips cost $9 for 50. A good deal.

bdubya55

A,good deal, accurate and economical indeed retiree! Very nice little meter.

mzhrrs13

Currently using Kroger Premium OnSync meter....no problems here. I get a smiley face when I am within range and the test strips (50 count) is only $18.99 compared to $60 plus bucks for the One Touch Ultra (50 count)!!:happy:

Shannon3n88

I've been using the OneTouch UltraMini for 4-5 years now. I don't really know how accurate it is as I've never used any other type for comparison!

blackiris49

I'm using the ACCU-CHEK Performa. Seems to be OK been using it about a year, have changed the battery once. Strips are 20JOD for 50, which I buy. A bit expensive when you consider the average wage here. I've also seen the ONE TOUCH here too, strips about the same price.

javonjay76

I'm using Reli-On prime & I think its great! I had a problem with it a couple of days ago when I left it in the car overnight and the temp went below freezing. I called the manufactuer to ask what tests I could do somts to test the accuracy of the results. & instead they are going to send me out a new meter. AWESOME!

sandign

I've been using the Bayer Contour Next and forgot to order more strips. So I bought the ReliOn model and boy is it high and all over the place. The strips asre reasonable but I persoanlly think the accuracy is way off on mine. I can take it 3 times in 15 minutes and it goes from 98 to 124 to 110. Not just once but several times.

I order my Bayer stips on Amazon because they are less than 1/3 of the price from other places. I can't wait for them to arrive and this time I've been sure that I have enough.

Also going to try and find some control solution for the ReliOn to check it out. My local Walmart did not have any. Go figure.

Wish my ticker would start working again.

cwrig

Im using Accucheck Aviva, only because thats the one my insurance company will pay a portion of the test strip cost. The strips end up costing me $12 for 50 out of pocket. I had a touch one before I found out the insurance wouldnt pay for that brand strips (i dont know why) So I tested with both meters one day from the same prick and they were about 10 off each time. Who knows which one was right!

scubasuenc

Even with the 'good' meters I've found there can be variance between two tests taken in a row.

I have the FreeStyle Freedom Lite as my main meter. That is the one insurance buys strips for. However I also have the ReliOn Ultima. This is one of the Walmart meter with low cost strips. I keep this one in my purse and use it if I'm not at home. It has also come in handy when I've run out of strips for my main meter before insurance would cover more. It was less expensive to get the ReliOn and its strips than to purchase FreeStyle strips out of pocket. The ReliOn numbers do not seem too different from my Freedom Lite.

Bebubble

I have a meter problem. I am traveling. I ate lunch at 11:30 yesterday. Did some walking. Had 9 mini pretzels at 3:30pm

took BS at 10:00pm came in 118 took 20 units lantus insulin.

Woke up at 6:00am BS 145?

What happened?

MysteriousMerlin

I've been using the OneTouch UltraMini for 4-5 years now. I don't really know how accurate it is as I've never used any other type for comparison!

I use the same; I've had mine about 2.5 years. My endocrinologist always checks my bs at every appointment, so I bring mine along sometimes and check along with theirs (it's always a different meter). It's only been off by a few points each time, so I consider it pretty accurate. Through my insurance I get 300 strips for $50.

scubasuenc

My main meter is the Freestyle Lite. Was on a trip in January and forgot my meter, so I stopped and bought the Walmart ReliOn Ultima. I noticed the Ultima seems to read higher than the Freestyle by about 10 points. Since I only use it traveling I wasn't sure if it was the change in routine or it really is different.

I was at a Diabetes Fair this week and spoke to one of the reps from one of the manufacturers. She said that most of the store brand generic meters measure whole blood glucose while the name brand meters measure plasma glucose. She said plasma glucose levels are closer to what you would get in a lab test. I didn't realize there were two measuring methods that yielded different results.

Even though the strips are more expensive, I'll stick with my Freestyle Lite so that my numbers are consistent. If I use the ReliOn I'll make sure to use it both before and after a meal so that the same technique is used and I'm getting a difference due to the food I ate, not the testing methods.

earlnabby

I have the True Balance meter because it was the one given to me free by my doctor when I got diagnosed along with a few months worth of strips. I need to start shopping around for strips now because the freebies are just about out. Does anyone know about Medicare and testing supplies? I am new to Medicare too.

bdubya55

http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/blood-sugar-monitors.html

http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/blood-sugar-test-strips.html

Hope the above links may offer you some help.

Additionally, Walmart sells their ReliOn brand of economical blood sugar meters and test strip products for diabetes self care proven to be accurate, economical and efficient by my experience.

bdubya55

Even with the 'good' meters I've found there can be variance between two tests taken in a row.

I have the FreeStyle Freedom Lite as my main meter. That is the one insurance buys strips for. However I also have the ReliOn Ultima. This is one of the Walmart meter with low cost strips. I keep this one in my purse and use it if I'm not at home. It has also come in handy when I've run out of strips for my main meter before insurance would cover more. It was less expensive to get the ReliOn and its strips than to purchase FreeStyle strips out of pocket. The ReliOn numbers do not seem too different from my Freedom Lite.

Glad to learn you didn't find much of a difference when comparing the ReliOn meter to the Freestyle Freedom meter, as I've recently changed my health insurance and the Freestyle Freedom is their preferred choice.

bdubya55

I have the True Balance meter because it was the one given to me free by my doctor when I got diagnosed along with a few months worth of strips. I need to start shopping around for strips now because the freebies are just about out. Does anyone know about Medicare and testing supplies? I am new to Medicare too.

Hope this link helps you earlnabby;

http://www.medicare.gov/coverage/diabetes-supplies-and-services.html

Bookwitch

if you go into your pharmacy and tell the pharmacist that you have been diagnosed with diabetes they may give you a moniter for free. Also you should check with your health insurance company because there are some supplies that they dont cover because they are too expensive.
I have had several differnet types. the best one Ive had is the One Touch or Accu-Check. The Accu-Check test strips are expensive.

Yardtigress

I use the freestyle lite meter, the company will give you one and free batteries. The will also give you a card for $50 off of strips per month. So mine are $15 for 100 after insurance and the card. For more info go to their website.

MissReena73

I use the Verio One Touch. I am getting blood work done this month and they are going to test it to see how accurate it is. I have had a couple of times where it seems way out of whack though. I did one test one day that had me at 10.0 mmol/L, which seemed high for me, so I washed my hands and tested again. It went down to 9.5 mmol/L. For the heck of it, I tested on my other hand, on a different finger, and it was down to 8.0 for that one. So not really sure what happened that day.

One of my biggest pet peeves with the One Touch is trying to get the information out of it. I am a software/app junkie, and while the One Touch comes with software, it is only available for the PC. I was going to switch over to the One Touch Synch because it is supposed to automatically send your information to your iPhone or iPad, but the app for it is not available in Canada. And I have hear it will only store the last 14 days. I am starting to think Verio has something against Canadian Mac users…

For now I am going to stick with it because I am used to it. I have health care, so they cover my strips for me. And I found a god iPad app to help me track things, but it is frustrating not being able to use the software.

I have been considering the new Bayer one, that gives you second chance testing f you don't get enough blood the first time.

MissReena73

I just came back from a doctor's appointment and my nurse, who is also diabetic, has said she found the Verio One Touch to be very unpredictable. She said she has tested on 10 fingers and gotten 10 different results, and some of them were wildly different.

They gave me the Bayer Contour to try. She says she finds that one much more reliable.

Since I have both, I may try testing them both the next few times I take blood, just to see what happens.

bdubya55

Good luck with the Bayer Contour MissReena!, and hope you find this meter to be a good fit for you too.

MissReena73

Good luck with the Bayer Contour MissReena!, and hope you find this meter to be a good fit for you too.

Thanks
I just got the call from the Diabetes Association and they were calling to suggest I get a new meter. The acceptable range is 20%, and they said that the Verio was testing high enough that they don't feel it is giving proper readings.

Not a huge fan of the batteries (rather than a charger) or the case, but i can find a case that works for me. The lancet seems really big compared to what I use, but it does seem to give a better sample. We will see how it goes

And the association has the USB versions there if I want one. Apparently only the USB versions work with Macs. But I have an app I track with anyway, so it is not a deal breaker or anything like that.

Sweets1954

I'm using the Bayer Contour. I had the Avia but my insurance wouldn't pay for the supplies. With the insurance I only pay $15 for 200 strips. I have only had to charge the battery once since I got it and find it very easy to use.

Gracemagic

I have a Freestyle lite and a reli On meter...both read different numbers... I don't know which to believe.... and they vary by 20 or more points

Also... Should we adjust our carb and sugar settings different than the basic MFP settings for our basic info? Only been using this for a month but have lost 14 Lbs.
:drinker:

earlnabby

Also... Should we adjust our carb and sugar settings different than the basic MFP settings for our basic info? Only been using this for a month but have lost 14 Lbs.
:drinker:

Did your doctor or nutritionist give you a target number for carbs? Mine told me (at my height, weight, and weight loss goal) to aim for a maximum of 180 and try to keep it fairly consistent from day to day. I did have to customize my macro goals on MFP to stay with that goal.

PS: congrats on your loss so far!

KatherineMichelle72

For everyone having the issue with insurance not covering enough or anything for your test strips, here is what I do... I go on ebay.. always purchase brand new and never had a problem.. my insurance will only cover 50 strips a month and thats not enough to test even twice a day for the full month.. I usually pay between 15 and 20 for 50 test strips on ebay..

earlnabby

For everyone having the issue with insurance not covering enough or anything for your test strips, here is what I do... I go on ebay.. always purchase brand new and never had a problem.. my insurance will only cover 50 strips a month and thats not enough to test even twice a day for the full month.. I usually pay between 15 and 20 for 50 test strips on ebay..

I did that too before I got insurance. Just make sure that the seller lists the expiration date.

earlnabby

My doctor wrote me a prescription for a new meter. I had been using the True Balance and now have the freestyle lite. I have strips left from the other so I have been testing with both at the same time with the same blood drop. The Freestyle is consistently 10-12 points lower than the trueBalance. Interesting.

bdubya55

No two readings will be alike using the same meter. Testing with two different meters using the same drop of blood will result two different readings with some varying +/- degree.

I suggest using Walmart's ReliOn home a1c test kit If you want to check either meter your using consistently for it's accuracy by testing with both meters first-then providing a blood sample to be mailed to ReliOn's independent lab for processing.

http://www.relion.com/diabetes/a1c-test

This lab result can be sent via e-mail with a week or two.

As established by the FDA any meter marketed can have a reading tolerance of +/- 20% when comparing glucose meter results with lab results. I've compared the reliOn prime meter for accuracy using their home test kit along with my local lab work and found this meter to be pretty accurate. I'm currently using the freestyle freedom as dictated by my recent change in medical insurance but will be eager to find out it's accuracy too by either doing another home test or comparing it to my next lab draw.

On the carb settings front, each of us has a different tolerance towards carbs. Some people with T2 diabetes have found the default carb setting to be too high towards their blood sugar management goals. By eating to your meter you can find out what your tolerance level is then customize those settings within this program to meet your target goals and individualistic needs by going to;

myhome>goals>change goals>custom

Hope some of my suggestion is helpful.

I have a Freestyle lite and a reli On meter...both read different numbers... I don't know which to believe.... and they vary by 20 or more points

Also... Should we adjust our carb and sugar settings different than the basic MFP settings for our basic info? Only been using this for a month but have lost 14 Lbs.
:drinker: