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Inaccurate monitor- SD code free

D

Diana99

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi, I am a lurker on here, been reading the forum since I was diagnosed.
I have been type 2 since last yr, diagnosed in October, likely diabetic for much longer! HbA1c 58 at diagnosis, and 51 3 weeks later. Not getting rechecked until March at diabetic clinic, but as I have been managing my diet really well, I think it should be going in the right direction. (Lost 3 stone and still losing)
However, I am concerned about my meter. I have an SD code free meter, but I think the readings are inaccurate.

For instance, I checked yesterday evening at about 6, (at work) and it was 6.8 - I couldn't relate that to anything I had eaten, as had a low carb lunch at 1pm. I work in a hospital so checked on the hospital, (calibrated daily ) machine. It was 4.9
I checked again this morning about 10am- my monitor reading was 7.2, (skipped breakfast- and at 8am just before I left for work sugar level was 7.0) hospital monitor 5.9.
I have just re checked my own, and got 5.7
I have checked this a few times, and each time, the reading is about 1-2 mmols/l out.
I know that there is a degree of variability, but one day (about 6am,) I got readings of 8.2, 7.7 and 6.2 respectively within minutes!

Anyone else have this issue and if so, what meter is likely to be more accurate.
 
Hi. All meters should meet +/-15% of the true answer so any meter should meet that spec. I find readings do vary even between a few minutes for various reasons so it's possible your meter is OK?
 
Greetings @Diana99
Your natural rhythms through out the day will cause highs and lows, then add to that mood/stress points the daily cycle can really swing, especially if you are a recent low carber. It takes time to settle down.
The main thing with testing is to be consistent when you do it and mainly before and after eating, which will be a major driver towards changes in BG. Some of the numbers may seem "unexpected", it happens. The important thing is the trends, hopefully down and to look out for foods that spike.
Seem to be doing pretty well to me
Good luck
:)
 
I've just started on an accu chek guide, so can't really comment on it.

I have had the freestyle freedom lite for the last 6 years. On my 3rd one in 6 years, last two simply stopped working. Put a strip in and they just wouldn't turn on. Took them in to the diabetic consult who couldn't get them to work either. That and a history of wild fluctuations in readings like what you have mentioned, 1 to 2 mmol differences, sometimes higher. So not impressed with those, hoping for better luck on the new one mentioned.

So can't really say which I think is best, but certainly wouldn't recommend the freestyle lites if you get offered one.
 
Check your batch number, there is a known problem with the batch ending in 75.
 
I fell out of love with my Code Free recently. I was wasting too many strips rechecking unexpected results. There have without doubt been batches that read higher but I believe odd strips within batches are inaccurate too. My own belief is that the strips are made to a budget and don’t seem as robust, they only have a life of six months from opening. I have now changed to a meter with more expensive strips which have a life of 18 months from opening so perhaps more robust. Since changing I haven’t felt the need to check a single result in six weeks.
 
I had 2 boxes of code free strips that wouldn't record at all out of batch of 5 boxes I contacted the company and they sent 2 more boxes and these have been fine
Carol
 
Diana99 said:
Hi, I am a lurker on here, been reading the forum since I was diagnosed.
I have been type 2 since last yr, diagnosed in October, likely diabetic for much longer! HbA1c 58 at diagnosis, and 51 3 weeks later. Not getting rechecked until March at diabetic clinic, but as I have been managing my diet really well, I think it should be going in the right direction. (Lost 3 stone and still losing)
However, I am concerned about my meter. I have an SD code free meter, but I think the readings are inaccurate.

For instance, I checked yesterday evening at about 6, (at work) and it was 6.8 - I couldn't relate that to anything I had eaten, as had a low carb lunch at 1pm. I work in a hospital so checked on the hospital, (calibrated daily ) machine. It was 4.9
I checked again this morning about 10am- my monitor reading was 7.2, (skipped breakfast- and at 8am just before I left for work sugar level was 7.0) hospital monitor 5.9.
I have just re checked my own, and got 5.7
I have checked this a few times, and each time, the reading is about 1-2 mmols/l out.
I know that there is a degree of variability, but one day (about 6am,) I got readings of 8.2, 7.7 and 6.2 respectively within minutes!

Anyone else have this issue and if so, what meter is likely to be more accurate.
Click to expand...
Check and see if your batch number is S0318075 a lot of us have found this particular batch is reading higher sporadically. Home_health are aware so will likely replace if you contact them. Mention the forum as @Rachox and myself ave both been engaging with them about this I've just volunteered to test another batch of strips for them to see if they are doing the same thing.
 
Diana99 said:
Inaccurate monitor- SD code free
Click to expand...

Not the greatest marketing tagline, but accurate none the less.

All meters are relatively cheap machines, and the strips themselves even cheaper.

The SD Codefree is one of the cheapest.

In the end you get what you pay for, but in reality you cannot really expect a home meter to be particularly accurate.

If the brand new meter and perfect strips sent away to be tested for accuracy are able to be +/- 15%, what chances of the meter you end up buying and using for a number of months, and the strips you probably store in the wrong conditions ever matching even that benchmark?
 
Thanks all. (have been at work)
I normally test before breakfast, 2 hrs after and in the evenings. Don't always get a chance during the day.
Not having much of a rise, 1-2 depending on what I eat. But more discrepancies with the code free.
Interesting about the batch number- i just looked and it does end in 75, and my old container was in the desk drawer- similar batch.
I suppose testing will be more useful once my HbA1c is back to normal, (if i can actually get it there), to see if I can introduce anything carby like porridge etc without massive spikes. At the moment, I am concentrating on eating low carb, high fat and moderate protein. Something is happening, and numbers hopefully will show this.

As for the comment on home meters not being accurate, I think the ones the NHS use, and my hospital use are also used for patients at home. (We use the freestyle optium neo) Seem to be pretty accurate!! Also obviously dearer. So yes, probably quality not so good in the cheapies!
 
Hello @Dianna99, I bought myself the SD Codefree Biosensor kit from Amazon UK. My numbers seem good though like almost everyone just starting out, I did waste some test strips and lancets trying to do it right. Having just seen your post, and the mention from responders about their being a known problem with some batches, I just checked all the batch numbers on my boxes and they end in 99. I had a very weird day yesterday, woke up feeling really unwell and felt 'off' all day though I couldn't have said why. Also my numbers were up slightly though I couldn't identify the reason.. Been fine today and numbers looking familiar again, that is to say about the same as I've been recording the past few days. Just to make sure though, I've ordered some control solutions to test things out and make sure nothing is amiss and the monitor is working correctly...

@Rachox, I have remission envy! Thanks for posting that link for @Dianna99 - I had a look at it too and it is very helpful. Do you mind my asking which monitor you switched to?
 
The monitors do tend to be inaccurate, but how you use them is a variable as well.

Not washing/rinsing hands before testing can have a big effect
Squeezing too hard and too close to the puncture site can effect readings, as fluids are forced into the sample you are testing.

The results will also always be different from ones taken at exactly the same time from a veinous blood sample (where a nurse draws blood from a vein) compared to the capillary test we do with our meters.

The key thing with our testing, apart from avoiding high spikes, is to be consistent in how you test, and to look for comparative results improving as you move forwards, rather than just absolute numbers. Each time you tweek your diet/exercise regime, look for improvements.
 
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