CodeFree Test Strips

[sterling]

For several days my blood glucoes has been metered as twice as high as normal. But I have been feeling very well.

All measured by SD CodeFree.

I have been very worried and have Googled extensively to discover a medical problem.

Today, I got a reading of 14.5 on one hand and 13.6 on the other.

I then thought for the first time, this is impossible.

I then opened a new batch of strips and tested again: right hand 7.3, left hand 7.7.

Now that strikes me as very odd. When I divide my red results below by two then there is something like consistency with my normal results. I will be making further tests later.

The red results are from the questionable batch.

BB = before breakfast
+2
BL = before lunch
+2
BD = before dinner
+2
BT = bed time

 

[sterling]

Update:

I have just been to the local pharmacist.

At just under breakfast plus two hours:

CodeFree bad batch reads 14.8 (test 1) and 15.2 (test 2). Pharmacy Accu-Chek reads 6.6.

 

[catza]

I am currently working my way through a higher reading batch of SD Codefree of strips ... S0312006.

Got some new ones delivered yesterday abut unfortunately it's the same batch number so I shall have to just continue using the readings to assess how much food items impact on my +2 readings rather than take the readings as a true reflection of my BG levels. I am aiming to get rid of spikes so am reconciled to having higher figures marring my lovely chart.

I have done comparisons with my back up meter, a Caresens N, which used to read very close to earlier batches of the Codefree strips and found that the Codefree strips are adding approximately 12/15%.

I understand that all meters/strips are only accurate to, I believe, +/-15% so I guess sticking with the cheapest still makes sense as only the HbA1C test gives a truly accurate reading.

 

[iHs]

I'm also using the same batch number as yourself Catza and so far the results are approx 0.4 lower than Aviva strips.

I think to be fair, the SD will probably give ok results upto a reading of 8mmol but if bg registers higher than that, then double check with an alternative meter especially if you are using insulin.


ALSO, I'M REALLY SORRY EVERYONE FOR RECOMMENDING THIS METER. I THOUGHT I WAS SAVING PEOPLE SOME MONEY AND ANXIETY................ IT SEEMED TO HAVE GOOD REVIEWS ON AMAZON SO I THOUGHT IT MUST BE OK.

SORRY !!

 

[lucylocket61]

I am using batch number SO311173 and getting reading in the 5 -6 after meals. I received a free Contour meter last week, so I may bite the bullet and use that one and just do fewer tests.

Is there any reviews on the contour?

My doctor gave me a Glucomen meter and 50 strips a month for 3 months, but now the free test strips have been stopped as my HbA1c has gone to normal levels.

 

[hanadr]

There have been problems with accuracy of Codefree strips. Is there a leaflet with your strips which give info on accuracy testing. My Freestyle Lite shows accuracy of 98% .
Hana

 

[cuillie]

Yes I'm with Hana on this one Freestyle lite meter is excellent and Abbott who manufacture it has a very good customer service. If you have to buy your own test strips, some GPs won't give them, you can buy them straight from Abbott for £15, £27.50 in pharmacy.

If you are new to this I would suggest you test often, and need an accurate meter.

 

[catza]

Nothing as simple as a single figure Hana.

Accuracy Over 4.2mmol/L then the stats show ...
within +-/ 5% = 39%
within +/- 10% = 66%
within +/- 15% = 88%
within +/- 20% = 98%

Accuracy Under 4.2 the readings are shown to be.
within +/- 0.28mmol/L = 73%
within +/- 0.56mmol/L = 92%
within +/- 0.83mmol/L = 100%

These figures are said to be obtained from a trial of 200 patients. With comparisons of blood glucose results between the SD Codefree and aYSI Model 2300 STAT Plus analyser laboratory instrument.

I have previously posted the SD Codefree test results provided to me by the manufacturer via the UK Supplier and those tests showed the SD Codefree to be very accurate when compared to other meters but unfortunately they did not use this batch of strips in their comparison test. I would try contacting the supplier again but I think I would just get the same stock answer. Maybe if more people complain quoting the batch number and giving the very high discrepancy readings they may take more notice.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=28473&start=45#p281833

 

[BioHaZarD]

I just tested both my Aviva and codefree as I am swapping to my Aviva for a week giving my codefree a break for a week, 5.9 for Codefree and 5.7 for Aviva., same finger, same blood.

 

[angieG]

I am having problems with high levels at the moment :thumbdown: and have just had my meds increased as a consequence so I know I shoudn't be at these levels, but with regards to meter readings I have just done my 2 hour after evening meal test using 3 meters as I thought the first might be wrong (wishful thinking!) and got....

13.6 with my Codefree
13.7 with my Bayer Contour
12.8 with my Freestyle Lite

so not too much of a variation considering the level of the reading.

Regards
Angie

 

[catza]

Not a happy way to find the Codefree was fairly accurate.

Hopefully your increased meds will help sort out your BG levels.

 

[angieG]

I hope so Catza but not holding out much hope. I've already had 2 increases in the past few months!
My hb1ac has gone from 5;6 last Aug to 8.1 last week, this has also sent my chlorestrol high.
Think I'm maybe going to join the lada gang here if it doesn't change soon!
Regards
Angie

 

[sterling]

The retailer responded politely and informatively.

He puts this down to (1) possible exposure to heat or humidity, or (2) broken tub, or (3) age.

I am happy to accept this since only one tub appears to be problematic.

 

[catza]

The retailer responded politely and informatively.

He puts this down to (1) possible exposure to heat or humidity, or (2) broken tub, or (3) age.

I am happy to accept this since only one tub appears to be problematic.

Hopefully your next tub will show an improvement in your test results. The variations you have been getting are way above what I have experienced. Fingers crossed for you.

 

[hanadr]

I sent back the codefree that I'd bought. It gave high readings. I'm sticking with mt Freestyle Lite. a while back i had a bit of trouble with the FL I'd had for a couple of years. Abbott diabetes Care had sent the replacement meter and strips by next morning after I phoned them. No trouble since. It's Abbott's customer service which is so fantastic.
Hana

 

[corneliusw]

Update:

I have just been to the local pharmacist.

At just under breakfast plus two hours:

CodeFree bad batch reads 14.8 (test 1) and 15.2 (test 2). Pharmacy Accu-Chek reads 6.6.

I have been using Code free for 2 years now and I find no problems with the test strips I have. My doctors gave me Nexus Gluco RX meter and
this is the most inaccurate lot of test strips I have ever used. from the same finger prick I get readings of 13.5, then the same blood on another
test strip reads10.7, I then use my code free and it was 9.3 and on my one touch ultra it reads 9.5 so code free is not bad after all. I buy my own strips because I cant trust the one I had from my doctor. Like everything else mass produce there is no quality control.
CW May 9th 2014

 

[Brunneria]

I have tried the Gluco RX too and found it incredibly inaccurate. I stopped using the Gluco within a week it was so useless, and turned to the Freestyle Lite (ouch to the cost of the strips!)

When I got the Codefree I tested alongside my Freestyle Lite.
They were never closer than 0.2, when in the 5 and 6 range. As the numbers got higher, the differences got greater until the Freestyle would be in the high 9s, and the Codefree anywhere from 10 to 12

I've decided to keep using the Codefree, because I'm spending my own money, and it's much cheaper than the Freestyle, but any reading over 9 (which, thankfully are rare), I will be treating as VERY approximate.

Since my goal is to keep my BG as low as possible AND because I am not on insulin, the accuracy of my readings is far less important than consistency, and it find the consistency acceptable, for the price.

 

[Spiker]

ALSO, I'M REALLY SORRY EVERYONE FOR RECOMMENDING THIS METER. I THOUGHT I WAS SAVING PEOPLE SOME MONEY AND ANXIETY................ IT SEEMED TO HAVE GOOD REVIEWS ON AMAZON SO I THOUGHT IT MUST BE OK.

Sally I think your recommendation was great. This really does just seem to be a bad batch of strips on what is a pretty good meter and fantastic value for money. You have helped people hugely in pointing them towards affordable regular testing. Nothing to apologise for.