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Codefree

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lavender100
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Lavender100

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I've seen numerous threads on the Internet reporting that the codefree reads higher. The general consensus seems to be that it reads about 1mmol higher. I have 2 questions:
1. for those who use it, what are your thoughts on its accuracy?
2. say it does read higher, does this just mean it reads higher than other meters or does it mean your actual blood sugar level is lower (and that this would be reflected in an accurate lab blood test)?
 
It's hard to say...

I have owned and used the Glucomen LX PLUS meter, Dario Smart Meter and Accu-chek mobile meter. All meters have consistently displayed different results when testing my BG at the same time. Some always higher, some always lower. Equally, you'll find that any one meter will not give the same readings when conducting back to back tests.

As you can see from the new ISO standards, BG readings over 5.6mmol/l must be accurate to within +/-15% of actual BG at least 95% of the time. As you can see from the table, for a reading of 10mmol/l - that can either be an 8.5 or an 11.8! That is the standard that has been set and as my example shows, it results in a fair difference between the two readings...

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose-meters/blood-glucose-meter-accuracy.html

The important thing is to use one meter and adhere to its values. I wouldn't be overly concerned if the Codefree reads around 1mmol/l higher, or if it even does read consistently higher.

Meter accuracy would be more of a concern for an insulin dependent diabetic on the premise that the slightest miscalculation of insulin dose could result in a hypo vs a nice tight reading. If you're not using insulin then I'd just work on trying to keep those numbers as low as possible:)

Did you get an official diagnosis in the end @Lavender100, I think I remember you mentioning that your Dr had you pegged as a LADA/T1.5 - although insulin was never prescribed?
 
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I agree with the above. For those of us not on insulin or insulin promoting drugs such as Gliclozide the actual numbers aren't too important. We are just looking at trends and by how much meals cause us to rise. Just look to see how many mmol/L's the rise is and try to keep these as low as you can. The actual level is far less important. I have a Code free and also an AccuChek Mobile that I keep as a spare and on the whole, when I do comparison tests, there is very little difference when I average a series of results.
 
You can take your meter with you and do a test right when they draw bloods for a fasting BG. Compare the results to see how accurate your meter is to the lab. If your meter reads a bit high just be aware of that and carry on. Remember though that HbA1c is a different number and measuring method and can't be compared to a finger prick test.
 
I have used the codefree for just over 2 years. I did use the contour meter for awhile, when I used both together for a few days, I found the codefree showed lower numbers. I have since thrown the contour meter away.
I know no meter is accurate but the way I look at it, it's to guide me to see how foods react and can eliminate foods that spike me
 
I carried out tests with the SD and an Abbott Freestyle. The Abbott was accurate according to the control fluid where the SD did read about 1mmol/l higher in the low range and up to 5mmol/l in the higher range.

I have one concern where meters that read high are concerned. It could, for example, read 5 when the truth is 4 which bodes ill should you be guarding against hypo's. Other than that, using them for relative before and after readings is useful.
 
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