Sole supply - comments please

[Angela Yule]

Hi - We have moved to New Zealand where the Government has approved ISENS - the makers of Caresens meters to be the SOLE SUPPLIER of BG meters and test strips. My son is T1 and has been having problem with his new Caresens meter not reading at 10deg C (at football practice etc). His old Optium Xceed never seemed to be a problem. Could someone please let me have some feedback. Thanks

 

[Pumper_Sue]

Hi - We have moved to New Zealand where the Government has approved ISENS - the makers of Caresens meters to be the SOLE SUPPLIER of BG meters and test strips. My son is T1 and has been having problem with his new Caresens meter not reading at 10deg C (at football practice etc). His old Optium Xceed never seemed to be a problem. Could someone please let me have some feedback. Thanks

Hi Angela,
your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and discuss the problem with them.

 

[Aoife]

Maybe a temporary solution would to be for someone who is not playing (coach?) to keep in in their pocket which would keep it at a higher temperature. Not ideal I know but until you find a better solution it may work

 

[Redkite]

How frustrating for you

10degC is not particularly cold! Have you contacted the meter manufacturer to see if your meter is faulty?

I would hate to be forced to get a particular meter (especially if it was substandard!), but I suppose it's a cost-saving measure

 

[Twitchy]

Just a thought - were the batteries new, or did they come with the meter (poss sat in a store for a while?) Some types of battery don't do so well in the cold when running low...? Definitely speak with the manufacturers - maybe check in the manual if there's an operating temp range to back your concern (ie does the manufacturer claim it will operate from 5deg c etc...)

Good luck!

 

[Vicsetter]

According to their website the meter has an operating range of 50-104F.
So 10C is at the bottom of the range. Unless you can get an alternative meter I would suggest you find some way for your son to wear the meter close to his body so as to keep it warm.

 

[Angela Yule]

The meter gives a ?C reading or similar. Hard to keep warm in when out on the field! The rep told me he should keep a hot water bottle at the ready or keep it in a mohair glove. Not really v. great when T1 is such a bloody hassle in any case. He never seemed to have any issues with the Optium Xceed - altho' they state they use about the same range 10 - 40deg

 

[Angela Yule]

The meter is brand new!

 

[Northerner]

There has been quite a lot in the NZ press about this in recent months, and it would appear you are far from alone in having problems with the cold:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/8946549/Diabetics-challenge-restriction-on-glucose-meters

Sounds to me like there is a reason for them being cheaper

I wonder if there is a possibility of you getting a more sophisticated meter and arguing your case on the grounds that it offers features essential to your son't care and control, rather than challenging the temperature problem? I'm thinking about meters that have bolus advisors, or record extra information, such as carbs and insulin doses?

 

[Vicsetter]

Found this chart - it's American I'm afraid but it does list the temp range of a number of meters, most of the ones people here use go down to about 40deg F (4.4degC).

Can you get a wide mouthed thermos flask to keep the meter in?
AND the test strips of course.