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SD Codefree meter

Yorksman

Yorksman

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,445
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
I was going to order one of these because of the cheap strips but some of the reviews on this site are terrible. Is this just the result of a few people venting or is it generally perceived to be an inaccurate meter?
 
I spent some weeks testing it against another make of meter and some control solution. It reads high. In the lower ranges it reads about 1mmol/l high and in the high ranges about 4 or 5 mmol/l high.

That doesn't mean it's a bad meter. My own sugar levels never get into double figures these days so I use it and knock one point off.

It is cheap to run and that makes it attractive to me and others.
 
Hi,Yorksman :)

I use the codefree simply due to cost. Never had any problems.

Basically all types of meters tend to differ in accuracy.

It is not the rolls royce of meters, yet ideal for simple control requirements.

I would use the codefree until you get wise to using bg meters, then upgrade if necessary.

Good Luck,

Roy. :)
 
I just looked up my post where I had tested it against a control solution and copied it.

"As promised, here are the scores on the doors for the SD Codefree meter. I tested it using Abbott control fluid since I know their concentration, have not found anyone selling control fluid for the Codefree and because their method of self testing the meter consists of a dummy strip which just makes the screen say OK.

0.05% fluid equates to 2.8mmol/L. Actual readings (3 of) were 3.2, 3.6, 3.5

0.3% fluid equates to 16.7mmol/L Actual readings (2 of) were 21.1, 21.1

My method of knocking 1 off the score still seems about right for the lower readings"
 
Thanks for the replies. I use an accu chek mobile at the moment but the cassettes are too expensive and ebay is unreliable, hence my interest in Codefree. I suppose since, all I do, is see the effect that certain foods have on me, it is not that important what the readings are and just a case of seeing how much they rise by. But, it's a psychological thing. I have got used to seeing 5s and 6s and sometimes even 4s and I'll be gutted to see a return to 7s and 8s, even if I know they are high.

But the cost of strips makes the codefree very tempting.
 
I would go for it if I were you. I actually love my Codefree, although I have a freestyle optium as well, on prescription.

I always take 1mmol off my readings. That seems to be really accurate for me, as tested against my Freestyle. Don't know about higher readings, cos I tend to be between 5 and 7.

The reason I love it is 1) cheap strips which mean I test without fretting about it 2) that the strips come in a pot rather than my Freestyle ones that are wrapped in foil. Takes me ages to get the foil off? 3) compared to my freestyle it seems to need a really small amount of blood. That is good for me, because I find getting blood out hard. I've even been caught out a few times when I've gone back to the Freestyle, thinking that the drop of blood is big enough and then it isn't.

I've found the lancer that comes with it absolutely useless though. Don't know if it is a flaw or I've just got a dodgy one. Don't really care cos my doctor prescribes me the single use ones.


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I have 2 Accu Check Mobiles (issued by my DSN) but I also have a codefree from before. One Accu check reads slightly higher than the other and the higher one tends to agree most of the time with the Codefree.
It therefore depends which meter you compare it to. My previous Freestyle Lite and Bayer Contour meters read lower than them all most of the time.
I have had varying readings at the same time from the same finger using the Accuchecks too (varying from about 5.5 to 9.0 if I recall correctly) so no meter is accurate. I sometimes get quite low ones from my Accuchecks if the sample size seems small (sometimes in the 3's) which when retested straight away turn into 5's which is a bit of a pain for me as my figures are analysed for DVLA so I can keep my coach / lorry licences! :(

HTH
Angie
 
I think I will go for a Codefree and the Accuchek less often. Mostly, I seem to use the thing just to see pre and post meal differences so its the relative difference that is important. Anyway, it's a good idea to have a spare and using an accu-chek just to see which bread is better than another bread is an expensive way to learn.
 
Yorksman said:
I think I will go for a Codefree and the Accuchek less often. Mostly, I seem to use the thing just to see pre and post meal differences so its the relative difference that is important. Anyway, it's a good idea to have a spare and using an accu-chek just to see which bread is better than another bread is an expensive way to learn.
Click to expand...

Quite agree, that was my reasoning too. And don't worry about higher readings, you soon get used to them. A 5 is as exciting as a 4!


Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
There is another meter that uses cheap tests strips which are around £8-50 per 50 test strips and thats the supercheck2. A good advantage of this meter it talks to you (voice can be switched off).
 
Why is everyone talking about expensive test strips etc, IF you are diabetic you get your prescriptions free of charge, EVERYTHING, NOT JUST MEDS FOR DIABETES i even get my meters free of charge, at the moment i am using the bayer contour usb machine, again FREE OF CHARGE

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
I am type 2 and I, and everyone I know who is type 2, do not get a meter or test strips free. Our nurses say we dont need them, so we have to buy them, and the strips, ourselves.

I have been using my SD Codefree for a year, and I love it. I can keep track of how different foods and meals affect me. As i only use the one meter, if it reads higher than other brands it doesnt matter. It tells me how my blood levels are going consistently for me, as i am not changing between meter readings.

I have now got my HbA1c down to 5.7 through diet only using my meter.
 
I am type 2, never said for a never, never said for a prescription since being diagnosed in 2003, well i did say for the very first prescription i had, cut managed to claim it back from the government once i got my prescription exemption card

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
 
you are lucky. Where I live, its unheard of to get a free meter and strips if you are type 2.

It varies from area to area :(
 
No. Us type 2's apparently dont need them, as we will all die from the unstoppable, progressive Diabeetus and we can do nothing to halt its progress.

Despite me funding my own strips, reducing my HbA1c to normal levels, and proving that watching my carbs works

(and I have lost 3 stones)

nope, nothing to do with my efforts and testing to see how foods affect me....its just co-incidence. Or mis-diagnosis in the first place

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
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