How to know which is right

[woollygal]

So I have two machines, a nexus mini and a true metrix

I have been getting different results from both, sometimes they are re spot on, sometimes a small difference but given normal errors is fine, the sometimes they are hugely different,
My nexus has told me I’m a 4 before then the true tells me I’m a 7.
I’ve used control solution on both just to make sure and both are within the levels.
So given both seem ok how on earth do I know which is right,

I feel like I’m a 4 (as in I get the freezing cold, muddled head etc) so I’m happy with the nexus, but if I went by the true sometimes i wouldn’t be that low.
Especially as I’m driving I don’t like being in the 4s just because I tend to feel quite rotten.

but how on earth do I deal with the machines telling me different things. If I go only with true I’d never be in the 4s and I’d never know.

 

[Andydragon]

So I have two machines, a nexus mini and a true metrix

I have been getting different results from both, sometimes they are re spot on, sometimes a small difference but given normal errors is fine, the sometimes they are hugely different,
My nexus has told me I’m a 4 before then the true tells me I’m a 7.
I’ve used control solution on both just to make sure and both are within the levels.
So given both seem ok how on earth do I know which is right,

I feel like I’m a 4 (as in I get the freezing cold, muddled head etc) so I’m happy with the nexus, but if I went by the true sometimes i wouldn’t be that low.
Especially as I’m driving I don’t like being in the 4s just because I tend to feel quite rotten.

but how on earth do I deal with the machines telling me different things. If I go only with true I’d never be in the 4s and I’d never know.

Okay, so meters are inaccurate. They usually have an error range of +/- 15% which means that comparing 2 meters are never going to match

really, using one meter and comparing against itself for trends and impact of carbs for food etc. is the best way to go I’m afraid

 

[woollygal]

Okay, so meters are inaccurate. They usually have an error range of +/- 15% which means that comparing 2 meters are never going to match

really, using one meter and comparing against itself for trends and impact of carbs for food etc. is the best way to go I’m afraid

I agree.
I’m not comparing it’s just I don’t know how to trust one (the new one, the true] if it’s gigivng such different numbers.

 

[ziggy_w]

Hi @woollygal,

Very interesting question. The way I approached this is to take my meter to my GP's practice and I then took a meter reading right after bloods were taken for labs. This allowed my to compare my meter's readings to official blood tests. Turns out my meter was pretty accurate. Two times it was head-on and one time my meter read about 7 mg/dl (0.4 mmol) higher.

I guess basically you have to choices -- both have advantages and disadvantages. Either go for a meter with better accuracy and more expensive strips or go for the meter, where strips are less expensive, but the accuacy might not be quite as good. In the end, it probably depends on individual needs and preferences.

 

[woollygal]

Hi @woollygal,

Very interesting question. The way I approached this is to take my meter to my GP's practice and I then took a meter reading right after bloods were taken for labs. This allowed my to compare my meter's readings to official blood tests. Turns out my meter was pretty accurate. Two times it was head-on and one time my meter read about 7 mg/dl (0.4 mmol) higher.

I guess basically you have to choices -- both have advantages and disadvantages. Either go for a meter with better accuracy and more expensive strips or go for the meter, where strips are less expensive, but the accuacy might not be quite as good. In the end, it probably depends on individual needs and preferences.

Thanks.
Cost isn’t issue as I get prescribed.