BG meters - confused

[Martin9]

hi peeps...

I've managed to acquire 3 different kinds of BG meter so for an experiment I tested all 3 at same time this am for fasting blood levels
The result is different in each...
5.4, 6.0, 7.0 m.mol/l ..I've no idea which one is most accurate I suspect an average of all 3 might be closest...?

 

[Mark Parrott]

All modern meters have to be within a 10% tolerance which is quite a wide range. Some seem to read towards the plus end of 10% & some to the minus end. You could also get the same 3 readings from the same meter. They are just a guide, really.

 

[Radders]

hi peeps...

I've managed to acquire 3 different kinds of BG meter so for an experiment I tested all 3 at same time this am for fasting blood levels
The result is different in each...
5.4, 6.0, 7.0 m.mol/l ..I've no idea which one is most accurate I suspect an average of all 3 might be closest...?

Both the extremes are within 15% of the middle one. I’d probably choose the middle one!

 

[bamba]

Do you always use the meters in the same order or do you change them ?
If they use the same enzyme it's possible the earlier tests are contaminaing the later ones unless you draw flesh blood each time.

 

[Martin9]

Do you always use the meters in the same order or do you change them ?
If they use the same enzyme it's possible the earlier tests are contaminaing the later ones unless you draw flesh blood each time.

Used fresh blood...🙂

 

[novorapidboi26]

They will all be sufficient for diabetes management......just as long as you pick one and stick with it....

 

[Martin9]

They will all be sufficient for diabetes management......just as long as you pick one and stick with it....

There's one that makes me think I'm doing well, there's one that I think ok , and the other says to me need to do more..that's my dilemma, it seriously doesn't help..!

 

[bamba]

There's one that makes me think I'm doing well, there's one that I think ok , and the other says to me need to do more..that's my dilemma, it seriously doesn't help..!

Choose the scariest - it will have the most positive effect !

 

[Martin9]

Choose the scariest - it will have the most positive effect !

Ha ha Bamba, perhaps you're right ..🙄

 

[Radders]

Do you always use the meters in the same order or do you change them ?
If they use the same enzyme it's possible the earlier tests are contaminaing the later ones unless you draw flesh blood each time.

I am intrigued by this. How does one test contaminate another one please?

 

[Martin9]

I am intrigued by this. How does one test contaminate another one please?

I used separate fingers ..

 

[Radders]

I used separate fingers ..

I realise but what Bamba said about enzymes has me intrigued anyway!

 

[bamba]

I am intrigued by this. How does one test contaminate another one please?

The strips have two electrodes and an embedded enzyme, which is either glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase. The blood sample enters the strip to start atimed reaction which changes the electrical potetnial betwwen the strips.

Bringing the tip of the strip in cotact with the sample has the potential of one strip starting the reaction earlier
(enzymes are in general catalysts).

With glucose oxidase strips the time taken with exposure of the sample to air may also have an effect. This is why you are told to put the strip into the meter before using the lancet.

 

[Radders]

The strips have two electrodes and an embedded enzyme, which is either glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase. The blood sample enters the strip to start atimed reaction which changes the electrical potetnial betwwen the strips.

Bringing the tip of the strip in cotact with the sample has the potential of one strip starting the reaction earlier
(enzymes are in general catalysts).

With glucose oxidase strips the time taken with exposure of the sample to air may also have an effect. This is why you are told to put the strip into the meter before using the lancet.

Thanks Bamba, you truly do learn a lot on this forum.

 

[C&E Guy]

Here's a question on a similar topic ...

I got a new lot of test strips for my Glucomen Oreo meter. They look very different.

The previous ones were all white on both sides, with a wee isosceles triangle for applying blood.

The new ones are white on one side but look like a sci-fi microchip on the reverse. The blood area is no longer a triangle but is a small line.

They do work ok. Has the design changed or is this just a different batch?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

I got a new lot of test strips for my Glucomen Oreo meter. They look very different.

According to https://www.glucomen.co.uk it's a new design.

 

[Martin9]

Here's a question on a similar topic ...

I got a new lot of test strips for my Glucomen Oreo meter. They look very different.

The previous ones were all white on both sides, with a wee isosceles triangle for applying blood.

The new ones are white on one side but look like a sci-fi microchip on the reverse. The blood area is no longer a triangle but is a small line.

They do work ok. Has the design changed or is this just a different batch?

Hi @C&E Guy How much are test strips for the Glucomen ?

 

[C&E Guy]

Hi @C&E Guy How much are test strips for the Glucomen ?

Sorry - I get them on repeat prescription.

The strips for my previous meter became 'impossible' to get, so we all got a letter from the surgery telling us to switch over to the new meter which they provided.

 

[Alister]

The strips for my Glucomen Areo changes in a similar way
seem to be working fine.
Again I get them on prescription which is good because a quick search of t'internet suggests around £25.00 for 50

Glucomen themselves seem very helpfull - they supllied me with a USB cable, a Blueooth adapter & even a spare meter all free.
guess they are using the Gillette marketing philosophy (give away the handle & make money on the blades)

 

[grovesy]

The strips for my Glucomen Areo changes in a similar way
seem to be working fine.
Again I get them on prescription which is good because a quick search of t'internet suggests around £25.00 for 50

Glucomen themselves seem very helpfull - they supllied me with a USB cable, a Blueooth adapter & even a spare meter all free.
guess they are using the Gillette marketing philosophy (give away the handle & make money on the blades)

Most meter companies are helpful.