Hi everyone, i have 3 meters, the bayer contour, bayer contour XT, and the Lifescan onetouch verioIQ. I've noticed the VerioIQ reads higher than the Bayer contour, and the Contour XT is in the middle! For example, just to check this morning, first thing i tested with all 3 (i don't normally waste strips like this btw!)
Now thats a big difference?! Thats a difference between a normal reading and a diabetic reading. Which one do you think is accurate? Should i go for the one in the middle?
Mummy with Type 1 Diabetes. Originally diagnosed with gestational diabetes in first pregnancy, blood tests done in my second pregnancy (2012) officially Type 1. Expecting baby number 3! A1C - December 2012 - 5.8%
You'll never get the same bg reading twice, just stick with the one meter and if you doubt the accuracy check it using the control solution that came with the meter.
''The Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The Optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.''
I trust my Freestyle Lite 1st, Glucomen LX Plus 2nd and as a backup Aviva Accu Chek and SD Codefree last call.
Type 2 - 10th May 2012 Very low carb/high fat diet only Supplements: Bitter Melon, Multivitamin, Gynmae HbA1c: Aug 12 5.5%, May 12 11.1% Cholesterol: Aug 12 3.5, May 12 4.5
I have the Accu-Check Aviva which is the one I started with. As the strips were expensive I bought a Codefree a few days ago and have been using that and was wondering why my levels have suddenly shot up by a whole 2 points every day-
I was down to the 6s but now with the Codefree I'm up in the 8s every day. It really is a big difference isn't it? And I haven't been eating any more carbs than I was before. I must admit I'm put off by the Codefree higher readings, my heart does a little 'huumph' when I see anything 8 or above. So it makes me wonder whether the cheaper strips are actually of any benefit. But then again it could be the expensive strips that aren't doing the job. How can we tell the accuracy of a strip?
T2 - Diagnosed 8 August 2012 Metformin SR 1g per day - Multivits - VitD3 - Olive Leaf Extract - Omega 3,6,9 LCHF diet - Eat to my meter - 3 Month HBA1C = 5.7
It suggests that the biggest contributor to inaccuracy is the strip and explains why.
It is better to have an open mind than one closed by belief. Anon. A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Winston Churchill. Type 2 Diet controlled. Last HBA1c 5.2. Following low GI diet.
Thanks everyone, its soo confusing! The contour seems to come up lower on a google search, but i also have the XT contour which seems slightly higher, similar to the Onetouch VerioIQ. I tested on all three within a minute or so, just seems a big difference between 4.9 and 7.4
Mummy with Type 1 Diabetes. Originally diagnosed with gestational diabetes in first pregnancy, blood tests done in my second pregnancy (2012) officially Type 1. Expecting baby number 3! A1C - December 2012 - 5.8%
Comparing meters is the quick way to madness! You need to stick with one, accept the readings aren't correct but are consistently incorrect, and use the meter to spot DIFFERENCES that tell you when you've eaten something you shouldn't, or eaten too much of it.
Type 2, diagnosed Nov 2010. HbA1c then 8.2%. Mar 2011, HbA1c 5.9%.Dec. 2011 5.9%. May 2012 5.7%
150-180grams carbs per day + exercise (mainly golf!). 2x500mg Metformin SR per day. Support testing for T2s http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/
Grazer wrote:Comparing meters is the quick way to madness! You need to stick with one, accept the readings aren't correct but are consistently incorrect, and use the meter to spot DIFFERENCES that tell you when you've eaten something you shouldn't, or eaten too much of it.
Yep. I'm sticking with the Codefree cos the strips are cheaper. It's the differences between readings on the SAME meter that show us what's made us spike.
T2 - Diagnosed 8 August 2012 Metformin SR 1g per day - Multivits - VitD3 - Olive Leaf Extract - Omega 3,6,9 LCHF diet - Eat to my meter - 3 Month HBA1C = 5.7
Fab article, thanks! i think i will stick to one then, that makes sense, even though they are abit inaccurate at least they aren't like they used to be in the 80's (found out they were like a colour coded brick from the book "think like a pancreas" now i'm glad i don't have to carry one of those things round with me!
Mummy with Type 1 Diabetes. Originally diagnosed with gestational diabetes in first pregnancy, blood tests done in my second pregnancy (2012) officially Type 1. Expecting baby number 3! A1C - December 2012 - 5.8%
Revieved my new freestyle insulinX today, must say i like it! So it seems bayer contour are lowest, bayer XT slightly higher, freestyle insulinX slightly higher, and Onetouch verioIQ highest! Think i will ask my doc to change strips to the freestyle..
Mummy with Type 1 Diabetes. Originally diagnosed with gestational diabetes in first pregnancy, blood tests done in my second pregnancy (2012) officially Type 1. Expecting baby number 3! A1C - December 2012 - 5.8%
I don't know if my choice is strange or not, but I have tried loads of different meters and lancing machines. The best choice that I can find is to use the ACCU-CHEK Multiclix for stabbing myself and a BAYER test meter - the BREEZE 2 METER for the results. This allows me to use a lancer and a tester - both with MULTI USE. Lancer has six needles on each insert Meter has ten biosensor strips on each insert I like it because there is less handling involved - less chance for contamination.
Must admit I don't pay for mine - in UK both the machines, needles and strips are free if you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Must admit I don't pay for mine - in UK both the machines, needles and strips are free if you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Ssooty53, You may wish to revise this statement as machines, needles and strips are most certainly not free to an awful lot of Type 2 Diabetics in the UK. Please follow the link in my signature if you are in any doubt.
Diagnosed T2 05/03/2012 Metformin 2000gms + LCHF diet HbA1c 6 23/03/12, 5.2 04/09/12 Eat to your meter.Give yourself control of your Diabetes.
In my opinion i prefer FREESTYLE LITE strips! In both Lite and insulinX, they are the most accureted of all. I´ve tried to compare them in more than 20 tests, in the same moment and in the same finger samples. It uses only 0,3uL of blood sample so...it`s very easy to make some fast tests in the same blood sample! I´ve noticed that in recent Internacional Diabetes Reviews freestyle Lite strips appears to be the best in comparison with Accu-chek aviva, bayer countour XT and One touch verio. The technology in the strip is the most important thing in order to compare meters.
ssooty53 wrote:Must admit I don't pay for mine - in UK both the machines, needles and strips are free if you have Type 2 Diabetes.
Sorry, but not correct at all! Only free if you are on insulin, or certain other meds that can cause hypos, which you are. Most people on diet only, or metformin, have to pay for their own. Even many on gliclazide don't get strips, it's down to the GP. That's why we had our e-petition for "free strips for type 2s", http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/ You're one of the lucky ones!
Type 2, diagnosed Nov 2010. HbA1c then 8.2%. Mar 2011, HbA1c 5.9%.Dec. 2011 5.9%. May 2012 5.7%
150-180grams carbs per day + exercise (mainly golf!). 2x500mg Metformin SR per day. Support testing for T2s http://www.diabetes.co.uk/petition/
Like Grace I had same experience in reverse with the SD Code Free - just posted this on a similar thread (sorry don't know how to link to it so have cut and pasted) :
I bought a code free monitor while the docs sorted out what they were going to do - took them a couple of months to give me a free Ultra One monitor and free strips on prescription. I thought there wouldn't be much difference but found the SD code free kept giving higher readings than the Ultra one. I queried the Ultra assuming it was wrong with the manufacturer. Have compared readings for four weeks and the same difference at all times. I have tested the Ultra one and all passed muster so now going to check what might be awry with the code free one. Will update when I have tested it.
And one query - why do I get the strips on prescription but no mention of the lances? Aren't we supposed to use a new lance every strip or is that wrong?
i think i will stick to one then, that makes sense, even though they are abit inaccurate at least they aren't like they used to be in the 80's (found out they were like a colour coded brick from the book "think like a pancreas" now i'm glad i don't have to carry one of those things round with me! 
Give yourself control of your Diabetes. 