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For Info New Codefree Strips Reading High

Aaaarrrgghh!! Another variable to add to the list of factors affecting my BGs! Same batch here although I haven't noticed a step change in the pattern. Will keep an eye out, especially when I change from one lot no. to another - but still 4 new canisters of this batch to go yet.
 
Loobles said:
From my nursing days....I remember the control solutions you get to check your meter are supposed to give a reading within a specified range. the range is printed on the strip tub. You can test for high, low and moderate readings, all of which must agree with the ranges specified on the strip tub. Does that make sense? Or have I misunderstood your question completely? I assumed that's what the control range meant...unless it's changed in recent years?
Click to expand...

Thanks Loobles, I agree with your explanation (although I have never done the high/low/medium readings part to be honest).

What I don't understand in @jack412 's post is his assessment regarding the accuracy, and the comment about highs and low outwith the 5.5-8 range.

Perhaps I'm being dim, but a few more words might help me understand what jack is saying.
 
Maybe I have it wrong too, we are talking about a change in the numbers on the tub... From 4.5-8 to 5.5-8?
This is the control solution range, when you put a drop of solution on the strip... It will read between these numbers.
Sd codefree uses only one solution to test the batch control number

Because the 5.5-8 is less of a spread, this batch of strips are more accurate, as the test is within a tighter range

Are we on the same page or have I got it wrong?
@Loobles, codefree don't have the usual 2 bottle test, they have a single bottle test.
I remember reading a discussion about it
 
jack412 said:
Maybe I have it wrong too, we are talking about a change in the numbers on the tub... From 4.5-8 to 5.5-8?
This is the control solution range, when you put a drop of solution on the strip... It will read between these numbers.
Sd codefree uses only one solution to test the batch control number

Because the 5.5-8 is less of a spread, this batch of strips are more accurate, as the test is within a tighter range

Are we on the same page or have I got it wrong?
@Loobles, codefree don't have the usual 2 bottle test, they have a single bottle test.
I remember reading a discussion about it
Click to expand...
I don't know because I've only just started using Codefree and haven't used the control solution. In fact, I haven't used control solutions for years (not since I left nursing about 14 years ago!). I was talking more generically about how the control check usually works (or used to work). In the days I last did them, we used to have 2 or 3 solutions - high and low as a minimum, but would have thought it depends on the meter. Somebody should be able to confirm about Codefree control solutions - as you say, I believe I've only seen 1 solution in their catalogue, so maybe there is only 1.
 
I got some Codefree solution thinking it would provide an accurate calibration for the meter. It doesn't, all it confirms is that it is within the range quoted on the tubs. I had an email conversation with the makers who said they can't be more specific about a control solution that is split into small bottles - so I wouldn't waste your money @Loobles

I'd be more interested if anyone had a recipe for making an accurate control solution at home.
 
The calculation would be theoretically possible if you could calculate the volumes etc with a very high degree of accuracy. It's a long time since I did molar calculations though - and I wasn't terribly good at them to start with!
 
M
Loobles said:
I don't know because I've only just started using Codefree and haven't used the control solution. In fact, I haven't used control solutions for years (not since I left nursing about 14 years ago!). I was talking more generically about how the control check usually works (or used to work). In the days I last did them, we used to have 2 or 3 solutions - high and low as a minimum, but would have thought it depends on the meter. Somebody should be able to confirm about Codefree control solutions - as you say, I believe I've only seen 1 solution in their catalogue, so maybe there is only 1.
Click to expand...
my accuchek has 2 sets of control numbers on the tub
1.7-3.3 and 14.1-19.1

This would be what you are more use to and uses 2 control solutions to check.
Look on your codefree tub to confirm you have one range
 
sanguine said:
I got some Codefree solution thinking it would provide an accurate calibration for the meter. It doesn't, all it confirms is that it is within the range quoted on the tubs. I had an email conversation with the makers who said they can't be more specific about a control solution that is split into small bottles - so I wouldn't waste your money @Loobles

I'd be more interested if anyone had a recipe for making an accurate control solution at home.
Click to expand...
The solution would be accurate and would be in the middle of the Control Range
Have a look at the info sheet that comes with the strips, it may give the accuracy eg
60% within 5% error
80% within 10% error
100% within 20% error and the stated control range
 
Last edited by a moderator:
jack412 said:
Maybe I have it wrong too, we are talking about a change in the numbers on the tub... From 4.5-8 to 5.5-8?
This is the control solution range, when you put a drop of solution on the strip... It will read between these numbers.
Sd codefree uses only one solution to test the batch control number

Because the 5.5-8 is less of a spread, this batch of strips are more accurate, as the test is within a tighter range

Are we on the same page or have I got it wrong?
@Loobles, codefree don't have the usual 2 bottle test, they have a single bottle test.
I remember reading a discussion about it
Click to expand...

Personally, I am talking about a change in my expected results from finger prick testing, irrespective of changes to the control ranges, which if I'm honest I tend to disregard, unless I am using the control test fluid. I know some manufacturers suggest using that with each new tube, but for me, watching trends, that seems somewhat OTT.

I had noted, and voiced a rise in my readings, yesterday on the fasting test thread, which is/was raising my averages, but to be honest, I hadn't made the connection to a new pot of strips that @Andrew Colvin did. Once pointed out, that probably explained what has been going on. I'll be keeping a close eye on it for a while though. I thought I might be losing some control, and really hope I'm not, but matters were a little clouded for me, because I have changed my location, a few days before I started my new pot of strips. Timing is everything sometimes!
 
i changed pots about 3 weeks ago, total panic numbers up, my husband pointed out the only change was the strips, sent for more and the solution, husband not happy being an engineer thinks the tolerance is to much, as it says if it is between the 5.5 and 8 it's ok, so yo can be 5.5 and it read 8, that was what i understood from it
 
Jill the tt said:
i changed pots about 3 weeks ago, total panic numbers up, my husband pointed out the only change was the strips, sent for more and the solution, husband not happy being an engineer thinks the tolerance is to much, as it says if it is between the 5.5 and 8 it's ok, so yo can be 5.5 and it read 8, that was what i understood from it
Click to expand...

I believe the current UK tolerances are +/-20%. As I understand it, there is a change in the pipeline to reduce these tolerances to (if I recall) +/-15%, but some manufacturers are struggling to meet the new proposed limits.
 
i think if we haven't changed anything food etc then not to panic, heat ,lack of sleep, being under the weather is out of our control, i was convinced i would be put on meds last week not told i'd dropped to pre diabetic numbers
 
jack412 said:
The solution would be accurate and would be in the middle of the Control Range
Have a look at the info sheet that comes with the strips, it may give the accuracy eg
60% within 5% error
80% within 10% error
100% within 20% error and the stated control range
Click to expand...

I did all that Jack and the solution appeared to be around 6.2. But how does that help? It's only of real use if they said the value of the solution was, say, 6.5 - then I would know I had to compensate somehow.
 
I get you, you want the average of the meter and a pack of strips and say it comes out at 6.6 and the true reading of the solution is 6 which is 10% less.. So you would adjust your monthly average down by 10%
sanguine said:
I did all that Jack and the solution appeared to be around 6.2. But how does that help? It's only of real use if they said the value of the solution was, say, 6.5 - then I would know I had to compensate somehow.
Click to expand...
 
Guys - I contacted Home Health today and had a long discussion with a guy called Mark.

In essence, provided the variance doesn't exceed the +/-20% and that strips have been tested against the appropriate control solution, the manufacturers will not be particularly interested, as those are the recognised tolerances within which the industry and market works.

Mark confirmed they do actually undertake tests on each delivery of strips they take, in order to ensure there has been no catastrophic event during the delivery process. I really wish I had asked him how many strips they sell a month, but it sounded like it is quite a few!!!

I have agreed to email him a summary of my (our) concerns relating to this batch of strips, the batch number and details of the comparative tests I have done with strips from another Codefree batch (that came with my replacement/spare meter, a few days ago). I'll update here if there is anything further to report.
 
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