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SD Code Free/Care Sens Dual Comparison?

Rachox said:
I don’t think I did, can’t find the email now My meter is eighteen months old now, how old was yours when they replaced it?
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It was 9 months old but had a heck of a lot of use in that 9 months!

I gave up on the Codefree in January 2017 and switched to using the Accu Chek Mobile. This was due to the inconsistencies in the Codefree. I have no real evidence that the Accu Chek reads any lower or higher on average, but it is consistent and gives me readings I expect with hardly any silly readings. I do know from threads on this forum going back to 2014 that the Codefree has a tendency to read high. That in itself isn't a problem for us non-insulin users, and can be advantageous. The problem is the inconsistency.
 

I’d be interested to know how MySugr works out the HbA1c, I suspect it’s simply an average of the numbers inputted (is that even a word?!) and doesn’t have the bias to the previous 3-4 weeks which a true HbA1c test has. If I’m right then MySugr will be accurate if you have stable sugars but will show a delayed result if not. I hope that explaination is understandable!
 
It’s the inconsistency that annoys me. When I started testing and wasn’t aware what the readings were likely to be I didn’t really notice. I think now I know what each test is likely to be it irritates me
 
I think you are correct. It is dependent on the data entered. I trialed diabetes:m for a few days and the estimated HbA1c was similar to mySugr. I have changed the time on my CodeFree, the date was correct.
 
xfieldok said:
I think you are correct. It is dependent on the data entered. I trialed diabetes:m for a few days and the estimated HbA1c was similar to mySugr. I have changed the time on my CodeFree, the date was correct.
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Did you change it when we changed from summer time to GMT? I forgot to do that with my Accu Chek until I realised it was an hour wrong.
 
Just for interest I am enclosing my average of averages (2018) graph of this years events, which clearly shows the difference I experience with my SD and Dual meters.

My GP has asked that I have a target average of 7 mmol/l in mind since previously I had been going below 6 and having small hypo's which he does not like to see me doing.
The graph is event driven, and it is clear that my bgl has increased since I reduced my Metformin. Recently I have been having bad choices for meals and a lot of stress which has also pushed me up. However, I am able to report that I am getting back into control and ignoring the carbophiles I live with. They can cook their own carbs if they want to.
 

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Thanks for posting that, it makes the point of the Code Free reading consistently higher.
 
Rachox said:
Thanks for posting that, it makes the point of the Code Free reading consistently higher.
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Just to reinforce it, I have this same tyoe of graph from 3 years ago when I was testing against my GP supplied XCEED, and last year whe I was running it against my GP supplied NEO. In each case the characeristic was similar with a very similar fixed differential between them.

So it is not the Dual being faulty. I now rely in that differential being there and make allowances for it. In effect, my HbA1c results tend to be close to the average of the two meters at the time of taking the sample, so neither is 100% correct. I tend to use the Dual for DVLA decisions, and also for basing medication decisions on since I get much better correlation between my hypo awareness starting. and the lower readings so I don't fool myself when taking corrective action.
 
After much humming and hawing, I bit the bullet and have put in an order for the caresens dual. I need a spare now the surgery have stopped my prescription for strips. They will phone me tomorrow for payment details. I will ask when the ketone strips are due in. They are something I would only use on occasion.
 
Although I do not use ketone strips myself (yet) I believe they have shorter shelf life than the bgl strips
 
Oldvatr said:
Although I do not use ketone strips myself (yet) I believe they have shorter shelf life than the bgl strips
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Thanks, I will ask tomorrow. I want to try extended fasting at some point.
 
Update on a previous posting of mine.

I have just started a new batch of codefree strips today, and because I am parallel testing I can immediarely see that the SD meter is now reading between 2 and 3 mmol.l higher than my Dual even at near hypo territory (4,3 mmol/l). This is after doing retests on both, so it is not misreads.

The new Lot no is: S0318054
 
Looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get some Dualsens strips for some comparison testing. At close to,double the price of the bulk buy Codefree strips, kinda sticks in the throat but need to be sure of what is going on.
 
Interesting. It could explain why mySugr gives me an estimated HbA1c number which has been 2 or 3 points above my lab HbA1c. I get my next result on the 16th. I will also run parallel testing for a time. I will also dig out the spreadsheet husband did for me which gives the plus or minus 15 percent error margins.

I don't mind if the CodeFree runs a little high, I just need to know for sure. I am unlikely to get hypos, my lowest ever reading was 3.9.
 
If my Codefree ever gives me a reading of 3.9 then I would myself be quite worried, since my SD is reading at least 1 mmol/l high, then that would make my reading 2.9 which is quite definitely in Hypoland. Even allowing for the +/- 0.8 mmol/l allowed variation in readings at that range that could still be a worrying 3.1 mmol/l even for a meter reading accurately. This was what drove me to parallel test so that I can make a valued judgement. So yes, knowing the characteristic of how your meter varies is necessary when getting readings below 5 mmol/l, especially if you drive like I do,

The other check I am able to do is to do a parallel test at the same time as the phlebotomist draws the blood for the lab test, and I get the lab measurement in my report so I can make a comparison. Not 100% accurate since lab is measuring venal blood, and meter is reading capilliary blood, but as it is a fasting test there is less chance of them being too different due to food digestion.
 
I would be slightly more concerned with a low reading after having read this thread. At the time, I felt fine and it was a fasting number that went up reasonably quickly. If it had happened this morning, I would have raided the fridge.
 
Goonergal said:
Looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get some Dualsens strips for some comparison testing. At close to,double the price of the bulk buy Codefree strips, kinda sticks in the throat but need to be sure of what is going on.
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I’m waiting for my Care Sens strips to arrive so I reserve judgement, but I’m hoping the larger cost is reflected in better quality strips meaning less rogue readings, requiring less (or no) retests and so mitigate part of the higher price.
 
Rachox said:
I’m waiting for my Care Sens strips to arrive so I reserve judgement, but I’m hoping the larger cost is reflected in better quality strips meaning less rogue readings, requiring less (or no) retests and so mitigate part of the higher price.
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Ordered mine this morning - two packs so I can test thoroughly for 2 weeks and then decide how to move forward. Don't mind if Codefree is consistently higher (although my HbA1c is always higher than my monthly average), it's the inconsistencies that are disturbing.

Not worried about hypos -they're such a remote possibility on no meds and even on very low readings I feel fine, for me it's about an early warning system if readings start on an upwards trend.
 
Ok, Spirit Health have just phoned.

I have ordered the meter, cable, 10 keystone strips and 200 blood glucose strips.

They have some ketone strips but are not advertising them at the moment. They said that the keystone strips have a shelf life around 12 months but I will check the box when it arrives.

She confirmed that I am registered diabetic so no VAT and said I could have the meter for free.
 
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