glucometers - no LC content
2t9nty
Posts: 1,631 Member
When I went to the pharamacy after my diagnosis, they sold me a OneTouch Ultramini. I have used this with OneTouch test strips, but the cost for them is very high. I have now been through 50 Equate strips ($13.99) and almost 50 of the GenUltimate strips ($9.99). The Equate strips with the new code seemed to get identical readings to the OneTouch. The GenUltimate (new code again) seemed to read high with more variability when compared back to back. I won't get the GenUltimate again.
What do more experienced testers recommend? It looks as if a Relion Prime has test strips for $9 per 50.
What do more experienced testers recommend? It looks as if a Relion Prime has test strips for $9 per 50.
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I like the Bayer Contour Next EZ, which is highly rated by Consumer Reports for accuracy and repeatability. I got 3 on promo for $10 each last year.
You can get batches of soon-expiring Contour Next strips on eBay from time to time for around $10 for 100.
Finally, double check the fine print in your insurance benefit book for coverage for diabetic testing supplies.
PS. Don't get the plain Contour - it's not in the same league as the Contour Next, but it's no cheaper.
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I have one that connects to my iPhone. It a little pricy but I like it. $30-40 for the device $12 for strips - I think that's about right.
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I can have the strips sent in my monthly subscriptions from Amazon.3 -
I wouldn't call myself an experienced tester but I went with the Relion. Chris Kresser recommended it.1
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I went to Walmart to pick up more Equate strips while I pondered all this.
The online price to pick up the strips at the store was $13.99. To walk into the pharmacy section and buy 50 strips was $19.98. I bought a Relion meter and 50 strips for the cost of the Equate strips. I have used it once, and my BG was 110 an hour after some coffee w/coconut oil and an ounce of peanuts. I do think the OneTouch was reading high with the GenUltimate strips. 110 is the lowest reading of any of the readings I have seen since Jan 16.3 -
My daughter uses Bayer Contour Next as well. We get 300 strips per month through insurance for $50 and she doesn't use them that fast so I really only fill the rx every 2 months or so.
She's always found it to be accurate. Even using different ones since she's T1D, she has several meters so to never get caught without one.2 -
My old doc prescribed the one which was free but the strips were ridiculous expensive, so I bought a freestyle that seemed to give the same results. However when I got my next 2 A1c results, I was shocked at how high they were based on the readings I had been getting. I then bought the relion prime which gave me readings of 10-12 points higher, which made much more sense based on my A1c results. After a few months using it (actually have 2-1 at work and 1 at home), my last A1c was right in line with expectations from those readings. Between that and the fact it is the cheapest to use, I'm sticking with it.3
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I'd better walk this part back.
Jenny Ruhl's book, Blood Sugar 101, explains that Walmart switches the manufacturer of Relion meters from time to time, so whatever Chris Kresser's or CR's opinion of them was years ago, it probably shouldn't guide your purchase today...
I'm still using Bayer Contour Next EZ - cheap meter, cheap strips (if you keep your eyes peeled), very consistent results across the 3 identical meters I use, and levels close to lab values. My last batch ran about $.10/strip.0 -
I am currently using the Relion primarily because I got so irritated at my A1c results 2 tests ago. Using the readings from my Freestyle, I was expecting a much lower result - like nearly a full point. The results from all 3 of the Relions were very much in line with what the A1c showed.
Yes, I bought 3. Initially, I bought 1 and thought it was out of whack because the readings were so much higher than I was getting on both of my Freestyles (one at home and one at work). They are cheap enough that I thought I would buy a second one just to see if it was consistent with the first, which it was. Then, I even bought the 3rd which was consistent with the first 2.
Then when I got my A1c results back and saw how, using the online calculators, it matched almost dead on with what I was getting on the Relion, I stopped using the Freestyles all together.
I have to say I am not upset that the cheapest model with the cheapest strips available in a local store seemed to be the most accurate. I am assuming @RalfLott is getting the meter and strips online or it is a regional thing because I have not seen that model anywhere locally. Unfortunately, I tend to wait until the last minute, so swinging by the Walmart on my way home from work to get more strips is a much better option for me.1 -
Cool. That means the current batch of Relions is a great value. Do yours disclose a manufacturer?
The Bayer Contour Next meters are common in the great, unwashed Midwest. Strips are best online - eBay and Amazon have soon-expiring lots of 'em for pretty cheap.
(I also have a Precision Xtra meter for blood ketones. It also tests BG, but the glucose strips are laughably $$$.)0 -
If manufacturer was listed, it may have been on the box. It isn't on the unit itself.1
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FWIW mine says "Made In Philippines" on the back.0
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Wow! Looks like the strips are dirt cheap for you guys south of us. I had to pay $89 for 100 for my meter. Freestyle Precision Neo. Even going on eBay to order strips ends up being close to that price by the time I do currency exchange and exorbitant shipping costs. Meters are pretty well free up here though. Technically they charge around 30-50 bucks at the pharmacies but there are always coupons floating around for free ones.0
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I use the One touch strips because my insurance covers them and then my employer covers the copay. I've noticed for some time that my FBG on my monitor seems a good bit higher than when I'm tested at the doctor's office. I realize there will be some differences but it seems like it should be a bit closer in range. Maybe I should try some different strips and see.0
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LowCarb4Me2016 wrote: »I use the One touch strips because my insurance covers them and then my employer covers the copay. I've noticed for some time that my FBG on my monitor seems a good bit higher than when I'm tested at the doctor's office. I realize there will be some differences but it seems like it should be a bit closer in range. Maybe I should try some different strips and see.
Consumer Reports reviewed glucose monitors not long ago. You might need a paid subscription to access it, but here's the URL:
http://www.consumerreports.org/products/blood-glucose-meter/ratings-overview/
There were significant differences between the better and worse meters. If you want to give me the specific One Touch model, happy to check the review.0 -
FYI, here's a video from Dr. William Davis (UnDoctored) on how to use a glucose meter.
https://youtu.be/PnIXx7Rvelk 1 -
My Dr office took my mini earlier this year and said it had been known to give false highs/lows. They replaced it with another One Touch.0
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There were significant differences between the better and worse meters. If you want to give me the specific One Touch model, happy to check the review.
@RalfLott t If the offer still stands, I would love to know what they say about the One Touch VerioIQ. I had a fasting BG reading earlier this week of 110 (as expected), but two hours later after coffee and 1 Tbsp. HWC (no sweetener) the reading was 136. I don't see how that could be possible.
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MyriiStorm wrote: »
There were significant differences between the better and worse meters. If you want to give me the specific One Touch model, happy to check the review.
@RalfLott t If the offer still stands, I would love to know what they say about the One Touch VerioIQ. I had a fasting BG reading earlier this week of 110 (as expected), but two hours later after coffee and 1 Tbsp. HWC (no sweetener) the reading was 136. I don't see how that could be possible.
You Betcha! I'll have a look.
Dairy affects folks in different ways... as do many other things (meds, circadian rhythms, sleep, stress / dirty thoughts
/anything else that affects cortisol HGH, etc...) 0 -
@MyriiStorm -
VerioIQ -
Average/good rating of 73, strips relatively expensive.
(Recall issued in 2013 for a defect in responding to very high glucose levels.)
"Calculates glucose averages. Automatic coding. Requires less than 1µL of blood for a reading. Readings in the memory can be downloaded to a PC and/or a smart device. Stores at least 360 readings. Has a larger screen than some of the meters. Has either a backlight or LED digits for easy reading in darker lighting conditions. User may have difficulty applying the blood to the strip. Has a date and time stamp. User can flag their results as pre- or post meal for reference. Very Good for repeatability."0 -
Okay now I'm confused. The box says One Touch VerioIQ, but I've read every word of the instruction manual and there is no mention of the ability to download readings to a PC. *sigh*
I just want the newest, shiniest one! And I deserve it, cuz pricking fingers multiple times a day is a pain in the *kitten*!0 -
MyriiStorm wrote: »Okay now I'm confused. The box says One Touch VerioIQ, but I've read every word of the instruction manual and there is no mention of the ability to download readings to a PC. *sigh*
I just want the newest, shiniest one! And I deserve it, cuz pricking fingers multiple times a day is a pain in the *kitten*!
You can probably lay buy a cable that will do the trick.1 -
Question for you experienced folks. I am pre-diabetic (a1C of 6.2). I purchased the Relion Prime glucometer to start tracking my own blood sugars at home. I completely forgot about calling to order control solution for my glucometer - - do I need to disregard the readings I have done before getting the control solution? I find it very interesting that you can’t purchase the control solution when you get the glucometer, or that it isn’t included with the glucometer.0
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I have never used the control solution. My numbers with the Relion Prime were about the same as the OneTouch with the "break the bank" test strips. The Relion numbers go in MySugr and seem to predict the A1C reasonably well when I go to my doctor's appt. and get the blood draw. It was within .1 or .2 last time. I am not losing sleep over control solution, but that is just me. If my meter read 120+ all the time, and my A1C came back 5.1, I would get some control solution and try to figure out why.0
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I don't bother with control solution either, (but I also don't worry about expired strips).
YMMV, but I wouldn't consider A1c = 6.2 to be merely pre-diabetic but rather well info Type 2 range..
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Agreed - I probably am type 2, even though the reporting lab's reference says pre-diabetic. I also know that those ranges can vary from lab to lab. My IM put me on metformin 500 mg, twice a day, at that point. I had an additional A1c drawn in 3 months that was 6.5. However, when the second A1c was drawn, I was very anemic and my iron level was basically non-existent. After doing some research, I found that there is a possibility that the most recent A1c could be skewed by those conditions, so we shall see. I was slightly anemic at the time of the first A1c, but we didn't do an iron level at that time. I see a new IM guy this week, and will be interested in his opinion. My only regret is that I didn't just go ahead and purchase a glucometer from the get-go.0
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Agreed - I probably am type 2, even though the reporting lab's reference says pre-diabetic. I also know that those ranges can vary from lab to lab. My IM put me on metformin 500 mg, twice a day, at that point. I had an additional A1c drawn in 3 months that was 6.5. However, when the second A1c was drawn, I was very anemic and my iron level was basically non-existent. After doing some research, I found that there is a possibility that the most recent A1c could be skewed by those conditions, so we shall see. I was slightly anemic at the time of the first A1c, but we didn't do an iron level at that time. I see a new IM guy this week, and will be interested in his opinion. My only regret is that I didn't just go ahead and purchase a glucometer from the get-go.
Good sleuthing! As you discovered, A1c is subject to confounding factors that can create falsely elevated results.
Frequent, systematic BG testing is a much better indication of your circumstances than A1c, IMHO.
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Does anyone have the Dexcom or Free Style Libre testing system? I understands it ends the need for finger sticks. Simple goes on your arm and you scan it with your phone and a report is sent to your dr. My new endocrinologist is looking into it for me. I have received a call from the medical supply company and it will be delivered right to my door. I am so anxious to receive mine.
Please share your experience, Prod and Cons.
Have a great day☀️1
