Blood Glucose Meters
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I have an Accu-chek Aviva. Have had no trouble with it at all.0
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Lord. I never thought I'd be jealous of American health care.
My strips are $100 for 100. And the government only covers 200 per year if you aren't on insulin. The reason? They decided that testing only has "limited" benefit.
So, apparently I'm taking a trip to the States for medicine. And that might be the first time a Canadian has ever said that lol.0 -
Lord. I never thought I'd be jealous of American health care.
My strips are $100 for 100. And the government only covers 200 per year if you aren't on insulin. The reason? They decided that testing only has "limited" benefit.
So, apparently I'm taking a trip to the States for medicine. And that might be the first time a Canadian has ever said that lol.
Can you go to Wal-Mart and get the test strips and their meter? the Relion Prime and 50 test strips are about 25.00 dollars US This is the meter I do most of my testing with as 50 test strips for 10 dollars is cheaper than I can get them with my insurance co-pay.0 -
Lord. I never thought I'd be jealous of American health care.
My strips are $100 for 100. And the government only covers 200 per year if you aren't on insulin. The reason? They decided that testing only has "limited" benefit.
So, apparently I'm taking a trip to the States for medicine. And that might be the first time a Canadian has ever said that lol.
Can you go to Wal-Mart and get the test strips and their meter? the Relion Prime and 50 test strips are about 25.00 dollars US This is the meter I do most of my testing with as 50 test strips for 10 dollars is cheaper than I can get them with my insurance co-pay.
I use the Wal-Mart Relion meter and test strips. It gave me similar readings as the Freestyle Freedom Lite. The meter was $16.24 and strips are 50 for $9.00. 50 test strips for my Freestyle Freedom Lite WITH insurance was $72.00 for 50 strips. I'm fairly new to T2 and I test a lot, well more than most I've talked to. I do it like 6 times a day.0 -
Lord. I never thought I'd be jealous of American health care.
My strips are $100 for 100. And the government only covers 200 per year if you aren't on insulin. The reason? They decided that testing only has "limited" benefit.
So, apparently I'm taking a trip to the States for medicine. And that might be the first time a Canadian has ever said that lol.
Can you go to Wal-Mart and get the test strips and their meter? the Relion Prime and 50 test strips are about 25.00 dollars US This is the meter I do most of my testing with as 50 test strips for 10 dollars is cheaper than I can get them with my insurance co-pay.
I use the Wal-Mart Relion meter and test strips. It gave me similar readings as the Freestyle Freedom Lite. The meter was $16.24 and strips are 50 for $9.00. 50 test strips for my Freestyle Freedom Lite WITH insurance was $72.00 for 50 strips. I'm fairly new to T2 and I test a lot, well more than most I've talked to. I do it like 6 times a day.
My insurance will pay 100% for 100 strips every 90 days (basically, one test per day) but I am still doing additional testing so I got a Relion meter and strips for the rest of the tests. I do use the Freestyle for my "official" test before lunch and the Relion for any other tests. This way when the doctor downloads the info from my meter the tests that she is looking for are not all cluttered up by other readings.0 -
My regular meter is a Life Source one touch. I get 100 test strips a month for 32.00 through the insurance company. All day long I test with the Relion strips at work. it has really helped me to figure out what I can eat and what I cant. Early on I was testing 3 or 4 times around every meal and snack just to see what was going to happen. I know it was over kill but I learned how to work the program that best works for me.0
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The Canadian Wal-mart doesn't have the Relion. I'm just making a run for the border next time I need them! Here we get the meters for free, any one we want (that they carry), but the strips are ridiculous.0
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i got a true2go meter from Walgreens. $10, with 10 strips included. Their strips alone at Walgreen's are not cheap though. Found a deal for 100 strips on amazon for $16.99.
the only comparison test i've done so far was on the morning of my fasting blood draw at Kaiser. my meter gave me an 80 fasting read at 630a. when i tested at Kaiser 90 min later, with only a glass of water in between), i got a 93. Don't know if that means my meter skews a bit low, or if my BS pattern is to rise a bit once i'm up and about. Or maybe a little of both.0 -
Your meter comparison seems pretty close to your Kaiser result to me. The 90 minute separation between results could be related in part to the rising effects of blood sugars due to any morning "dawn phenomenon" affects you may experience.
Plasma Glucose Meters and Whole Blood Meters.
Until the last couple of years, all blood glucose (blood sugar) meters read the glucose level in your blood sample as whole blood. Then several years ago one manufacturer developed a meter calibrated to read the blood glucose sample as if it were plasma. Why? Because the results of blood samples taken from your vein at your doctor's office or lab are reported as plasma. By having the meter record results as plasma glucose, you and your healthcare team can more easily compare your lab tests with your blood glucose meter results. Several other meter manufacturers subsequently followed suit, so that today most newer meters provide blood glucose (sugar) readings as plasma glucose readings.
What's the difference?" you might ask. The difference is that plasma numbers read about 10 - 12% higher than the older whole blood numbers. So if your fasting and pre-meal blood glucose target is 90 - 130 mg/dl plasma glucose, it would be 80 - 120 mg/dl if your meter reads whole blood.
So, it's important for you to know what your meter reads, and then what your targets are for the meter you are using. Check your instruction book, contact the manufacturer of your meter, or ask a diabetes educator to find out how your meter reads.
Reference: Joslin Diabetes Center0 -
My primary meter is the One Touch Ultra. I get 50 test strips monthly for free.
I've been doing a lot more testing in the afternoons and evenings so I went and bought the Target brand meter (Up&Up) and a 100 test strips for $50 (for meter and strips). A box of 100 strips runs $36.00. It's not as cheap as the WalMart version but all the WalMarts near me never have them in stock and compared to $130 for 100 One Touch strips, it's a lot cheaper.0 -
It's great you've found a lower cost alternative to supplement your One Touch strip needs Peloton. I was not aware Target offered the up & up brand of meter and strips. Good to know, thanks for sharing this info. It would be interesting to know how the two test results compare with your One Touch test results.
It's really a shame your local Walmart can't keep their strips in stock. Good luck with the up & up!0 -
I've tested 3 times with each meter side by side and they seem to be only a difference of 5 points off between each other (the One Touch is higher). I'm ok with that difference.0
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I have been using the CVS brand True Track meter. I bought it for $15 and there was a $15 rebate with it so it was free. And the strips are .56 each when you buy the 100 count. I also was able to buy strips on Amazon and they were a little cheaper. I'm sure there are better deals out there but happy with this one. I had a one touch ultra for a long time but the strips were expensive. Also, I used to have a small bottle of test solution to check accuracy of the meter. But I haven't been able to find it locally. If anyone knows where I can find it, please let me know.0
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My primary meter is the One Touch Ultra. I get 50 test strips monthly for free.
I've been doing a lot more testing in the afternoons and evenings so I went and bought the Target brand meter (Up&Up) and a 100 test strips for $50 (for meter and strips). A box of 100 strips runs $36.00. It's not as cheap as the WalMart version but all the WalMarts near me never have them in stock and compared to $130 for 100 One Touch strips, it's a lot cheaper.
It's a little late for this but I get my Walmart Relion Strips by using Site-to-Store. I order them and pay for them online and they ship them to my local store (if they are in stock, they just pull them off the shelves). When ready for pick-up, I get them at the service counter. The longest I have had to wait for them was 4 days.0 -
prescribed/insurance is a... OneTouch Ultra 2. Had to pay for the meter itself, apparently my insurance doesn't cover the kit. Got 100 strips for 90 days of testing (covered by insurance). Strips for this one look like they are... ~ $155 for 100, maybe? (Before insurance) According to the docs, this one is a plasma glucose meter.
Because I'm an idiot tech head, I also picked up the only bluetooth meter I've seen that'll work with the Android - the iHealth BG5 (Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System). This is a new meter - I think it came out just last year - but it's a whole blood glucose meter.. Weird. Strips here were considerably less expensive (50 for $12.50).
Strangely, in my (so far 2 or maybe 3) side by side tests so far... the iHealth has been reading 20 points higher than the OneTouch... given I'd expect a higher reading from the OneTouch since it's a plasma meter... seems odd. I'm just starting my great blood glucose testing experiment, should be interesting...0 -
(facepalm)0
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You just gave me an idea--Insurance only provides for once a day testing. I'd like to test more often to get a better picture of what's happening w/my bg. I have used freestyle lite ever since I was diagnosed pre-diabetic three years ago. I've only been diabetic for six months now. That's why I want to test more often. Don
OOPS! Got this w/o quote :laugh:0 -
I have been using the CVS brand True Track meter. I bought it for $15 and there was a $15 rebate with it so it was free. And the strips are .56 each when you buy the 100 count. I also was able to buy strips on Amazon and they were a little cheaper. I'm sure there are better deals out there but happy with this one. I had a one touch ultra for a long time but the strips were expensive. Also, I used to have a small bottle of test solution to check accuracy of the meter. But I haven't been able to find it locally. If anyone knows where I can find it, please let me know.
You just gave me an idea--Insurance only provides for once a day testing. I'd like to test more often to get a better picture of what's happening w/my bg. I have used freestyle lite ever since I was diagnosed pre-diabetic three years ago. I've only been diabetic for six months now. That's why I want to test more often. Don0 -
I have been using the CVS brand True Track meter. I bought it for $15 and there was a $15 rebate with it so it was free. And the strips are .56 each when you buy the 100 count. I also was able to buy strips on Amazon and they were a little cheaper. I'm sure there are better deals out there but happy with this one. I had a one touch ultra for a long time but the strips were expensive. Also, I used to have a small bottle of test solution to check accuracy of the meter. But I haven't been able to find it locally. If anyone knows where I can find it, please let me know.
You just gave me an idea--Insurance only provides for once a day testing. I'd like to test more often to get a better picture of what's happening w/my bg. I have used freestyle lite ever since I was diagnosed pre-diabetic three years ago. I've only been diabetic for six months now. That's why I want to test more often. Don
I got a Walmart meter for just that reason. My "official" once a day test is done on the Freestyle that my insurance pays for and I do other testing on the Relion. I have an Excel spreadsheet where I record all of my tests so I can take it to the doctor. They only download info from the Freestyle.
My doctor loves me. I come in with the spreadsheets plus I print out reports from MFP showing total calories, net calories, and carbs consumed for the previous 90 days.0 -
Honestly, I got tired of the runaround I was getting with my insurance, when it comes to strips and meters. As of this year the rules changed it became a hassle to get my strip scripts filled. And now that I am no longer diagnosed as diabetic, the insurance sees no need to cover any of the supplies. I use FSA account to pay for supplies.0
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And now that I am no longer diagnosed as diabetic,
This is a thing? I was under the impression that it was a lifelong disease/condition once diagnosed.1 -
there's 2 types of diabetes, type 1 and 2. T1 is juvenile diabetes, kids are born with it and some are diagnosed as young as 2 yrs old. Those people have to manage it for a lifetime. T2 is what is called adult onset. It can be managed and controlled with diet, meds and exercise.
For T2 people, checking blood sugar is a daily routine but the doctors look at you A1C number. That is what doctors look at to determine how well your diabetes is controlled. There are 3 levels of A1C numbers: normal, at risk for diabetes and diabetic.
In my case, I did what I needed to do and my A1C numbers went from diabetic levels to at risk levels. And with that, the insurance diagnosis code changed and that triggered changes in coverage.0 -
there's 2 types of diabetes, type 1 and 2. T1 is juvenile diabetes, kids are born with it and some are diagnosed as young as 2 yrs old. Those people have to manage it for a lifetime. T2 is what is called adult onset. It can be managed and controlled with diet, meds and exercise.
For T2 people, checking blood sugar is a daily routine but the doctors look at you A1C number. That is what doctors look at to determine how well your diabetes is controlled. There are 3 levels of A1C numbers: normal, at risk for diabetes and diabetic.
In my case, I did what I needed to do and my A1C numbers went from diabetic levels to at risk levels. And with that, the insurance diagnosis code changed and that triggered changes in coverage.
Right, but even if your numbers come back into line, it's not like you magically don't have the same issue... at least, according to everything I've read on T2. *shrug* Once diagnosed, the diagnosis stays with you for life, because even if it's 'under control', it will eventually return / we have to remain vigilant.2 -
I have two meters: a Onetouch Ultra Mini and a Relion Prime. I got the Onetouch through insurance, but the strips are too expensive, and I only get enough to test twice a day. I test a lot more than that, eating to my meter. So I got the Relion meter to use most of the time since the strips are so inexpensive. The Prime seems to read 10-20 points higher than the Onetouch, but it's consistent, so I trust it. I use the Onetouch pretty sparingly, mainly as a "second opinion" when I get an unexpected/weird reading on the Prime.0
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In my case, I did what I needed to do and my A1C numbers went from diabetic levels to at risk levels. And with that, the insurance diagnosis code changed and that triggered changes in coverage]Right, but even if your numbers come back into line, it's not like you magically don't have the same issue... at least, according to everything I've read on T2. *shrug* Once diagnosed, the diagnosis stays with you for life, because even if it's 'under control', it will eventually return / we have to remain vigilant.
Remember though, in America the Insurance companies have a lot of power and if they say you are no longer diabetic, you are no longer diabetic. [insert sarcasm smiley here]1 -
My ex-husband has T2 and argued for a long time that because he wasn't on meds and was watching what he eats and exercises that he no longer has Diabetes. Then he ate one piece of cake one day and was about passed out on the couch from his sugar going so high. So yep, I agree. Once diagnosed, you will have to remain diligent in order to keep your levels under control!
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I just picked up an A1Cnow meter, for home A1c tests. Apparently the meter is limited in how many runs it can do / is paired with the strip inventory it comes with. Or something. Mine came with 20 strips, and it's diligently counting down saying it has 19 tests left.
Will report on how I think it's working (and once I can double-check it against labs)0 -
I use the A1CNow just prior to my lab work (just to prepare myself for what's coming). I've found it to be a few points on the low side from the lab (i.e. A1Cnow at 7.8, lab work 8.1). I've only seen the two test kits though, and didn't realize that they had a 20 test kit. I'll look for that one.
As far as meters go, I used the Walmart Relion Ultra for a long time, until I compared it against my ACCU-Chek meter, and realized that my Relion was consistently 30 points higher than the name brand. I got a new meter from my doctor (One touch Ultra mini) which was more in line with the Accucheck, and my insurance covers those strips, so I'm staying with the new one. But the difference between the Relion and the name brands doesn't seem to follow with the plasma vs whole blood.0 -
My prescription/what insurance would authorize/whatever is a NIPRO TRUEresult. It came with a rebate that makes it free (fingers crossed that I jumped thru all the hoops correctly to make that happen). It came with 10 test strips and my prescription was also for more, so those were filled with Relion strips, which I hope is okay, since the front of the TRUEresult booklet says Use only with TRUEtest strips.
![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
Evidently there is Glucose Control Solution that you can buy and use to test the accuracy of your meter. I didn't get that. Don't know if I should have? 0 -
GM Changed insurance and got a new meter to test daily. I took a test back to back with my old meter & my new meter=15 point difference. (Old Freestyle lite=133, while NEW meter OneTouch Verio IQ=148) Tested same hand different fingers. Any idea why there's a difference??0
