Meter Readings
I finally got my ReliOn meter over the weekend. It's Pink! I really like it, especially the lancing device; virtually painless. I've been testing with it alongside my Freestyle Lite and so far the ReliOn readings have been consistently 10-20 points higher. It's making me doubt the good readings that I've been getting with the Freestyle. Part of me is saying get over it because if I start getting better readings with the ReliOn, it means that my levels are in an even better place. But I still can't shake the feeling of disappointment in what I thought was actual progress. Am I being silly or making a mountain out of a mole hill? Has anyone else had similar feelings while in the process of switching meters? How did you get past it?
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Dr. Bernstein addressed meter reliability in his most recent webcast and, after testing various meters, he found the Freestyle Lite to give the most accurate readings to those whose blood glucose falls in the near normal range.
I don't trust my Relion meter. Sometimes it tests so wildly. I tested two fingers then my arm once and it was crazy. The first reading said 137 and I thought that was way to high so I tried the next finger it said 155 now I new that was crazy so I tried my arm which said 109. Ok that's where things usually are. I was used to the One Touch meter but couldn't afford the supplies any more. wish I could, I hate the Relion one. I don't trust it at all.
Well, I couldn't find the discussion that explained why this occurs using the same blood but I found an article on the internet that may explain it for you. However, the same answer that Al and James gave below still applies to your issue with your meter. Your 3 results are within that +/- 20% range of difference., so are to be expected.
Here's the link to the article, and also a quote from the first paragraph:
http://forecast.diabetes.org/magazine/feature...
"If you test your blood glucose four times in a row with the same meter, using test strips from the same batch, your blood glucose is likely to be slightly different each time. How can that be? Meters aren’t always consistent."
On a side note, I found a discussion, posted just a few months ago, where another member had problems with different readings when they were switching meters. It was funny (and a little sad) to read because, it would seem that I was well aware of this difference in readings happening with meters and was assuring them that it was normal. But I guess now that the shoe was on my foot, things looked a little crazier.
From what I've come to learn, all meters are like that. The ReliOn being my third, I've had the same thing happen with my One Touch and my Freestyle, as well. Even with using the same blood from the same finger. Not exactly sure why this happens but I do know that it's a fairly common event. I think there's a discussion where it was explained but I can't remember the name of it. But if I do come across it, I will post the link.
Good for you, that is a good meter and the price is right. I have 2 and when I don't trust a reading, I will immed. use the other one just to be sure. They are very reliable!!
Sandra
It's growing on me.
I found this discussion helpful (being newly diagnosed) thanks
Well then I feel better about posting it. Glad it helped you in some way.
Oooo, pink! I have a few, but use a blue one and green one, wish my brand would make it in red then I would be overjoyed.
The guys are right about using it as a guide and not an exact.
I know, Red, and for the most part , I do use it in that way.
Now I'm jealous. As much as I like pink, had I seen a green one I would have been all over that.
I got tired of the neon green, so I got a blue one. My others are grey or black, boring. I got to have bright colors!! I have the Onetouch meters and may get the purple one as well. I get them free so why not. I'm thinking of writing the company to see if there is a way to get a red one? I wish I could get the strips free:D
I use reliOn also, I love pink, that is cool!
I'm cracking up at these discussions about the color of your meters!! Very funny, ladies. Keep me chuckling!!
Yeah, it's always fun when a discussion takes an unexpected turn.
so we back on ReliOn colors or did we change again lol
Lol! These discussions are like New England weather…just wait a minute and it will change.
Boy, you could say that at any location in the u.s. And yes, we have changed subjects again! I see that happening a lot here!
Yeah, it's growing on me. Might have jumped the gun on this discussion though. After reviewing my food journal, I realized that this past weekend, I didn't eat like I normally do. And, even though I ate relatively on time, I possibly didn't eat enough. Seems weird but sometimes the lack of food sends my numbers up.
Could it have been a "liver dump"?
It is an emergency system to keep anyone from going too low (not just PWDs) but we tend to notice them since we are testing our BGs and others don't.
You know, I guess that's a possibility. Liver dumps don't only have to happen during the wee hours of the morning.
no they don't.
My ReliOn meter is in line with What my endo uses . both times i tested and was a few points up or down nothing close to 10 or more.
maybe cause mine is in blue lol
Not! Lol! Won't be able to compare mine til the end of the month but I'll probably be well over this by then.
I get it…it's like you weigh yourself at home and feel pretty proud of yourself…then 30 minutes later you are weighed at the Dr only to find their scale says you are 20 pounds heavier. You know you have not really gained 20 pounds in the last 30 minutes, but it is still disappointing! Now, if the Dr. scale read 20 pounds lighter, you would be in 7th heaven!
You know that James and Jigsaw are right…it is the trending that is the real guideline. Also the fact that it is pink…hello?, less painful, and less expensive. Another bonus is that with higher readings (even though it is just an arbitrary number, remember trending!) it may spur you on even more to get your readings down to where you would like them to be. And it's PINK!! I so want a pink meter.
LOL! That's exactly the feeling. And yes, I know that James and Jigsaw are right (sorry guys for not saying so sooner). I should be more concerned with how the numbers reflect my eating and exercise habits for the day, but heck if that little number doesn't make you feel good sometimes. Like little pats on the back for a job well done. FYI: It's more on the side of fuchsia than pink, but I've named her Pinky regardless.
I know what you mean about little pats on the back. That is how I feel. ;-)
Yay for the pink. I love pink!!
Sounds like Pinky is there to stay!!
:)
Since meters have a margin of error, they can only be a guideline, to help monitor and keep you on track. Some will read higher or lower than others. If you are watching what you eat, and taking positive steps, then you are heading in the right direction.
I tried testing my bg with my thumb one time earlier this week. Then I tested it with one of my regular fingers and the thumb results were much higher, like about 20 more. Does this mean we shouldn't use our thumb?
Not as a rule of thumb!
You probably have a very sweet thumb !
LOL! Very funny but not very helpful, dude!
There are a few possibilities. I find that if I stick different fingers, I also get different readings. Could be the meter since most of them have a +/- 20% error margin and will give two different readings as a result. Another possibility is, where has your thumb been? Was there possibly something on your thumb that effected the reading. If you have food in your mouth as an example, and touch your mouth, that could throw the reading off. Best thing to do is wash your hands before testing. If none of these answers are satisfactory, go back to my previous reply to you. (-;
ok smartass, which one would that be?!! and you have told me before about the +/- error margin. just forgot! and please don't start in again about forgetting!
My lips are sealed !!! My name is not smartass!
my pet name for you when you're being one! watch out for the one when i get angry with you! Oh look, another subject change! btw…how is it possible that you will be able to talk when your lips are sealed?!!
MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!
That's the daily goal, but when one reading says 120 and the other says 140+, it sort of deflates the happy balloon.
Then its 130! Your happy balloon is now half full!
Seriously, being as anal retentive as i am that would make me nuts and I'd be buying testing/calibration solution.
I didn't even know mine had a calibration solution until I joined here and nearly went total bonkers thinking my meter may have been off. Luckily it was close enough when I tested against the one at the pharmacy.
Oh believe me, I used the solution twice. Nothing wrong with the meter, as far as that goes. I guess I was just hoping that the switch would be easy. Meaning no visible change in my log. But nothing has been over 150 so I guess I'll just relax a bit and see what happens. Who knows, by next week, starting this discussion might just seem like a waste of time.
I love your attitude, lady! Wish we could meet in person.
Thank you Lacat. Maybe one day they'll organize a DC picnic or reunion type thing. That would be incredible. Problem is finding a venue big enough.
Yes that's very true. Because I'm on the east coast in SC. Maybe they could do it by region or something. How long has DC been online?
A woman with your strength will inflate that happy balloon right back up! Trust me———Dont worry!
ha ha! love this!
;)
I had access to two meters of the same make and model and even those meters differed with one another with the same drop of blood.
I recommend that folks stick with 1 meter and only use a different meter for emergency use. It is not the accuracy of the meter which is important it is the way one's Blood Glucose (BG) is trending — is it trending up or trending down — which is of ultimate concern. That is why one would be wise to stick with one meter and use that almost exclusively so that one's BG trends can be noted and tracked.
I do use one meter exclusively but just in the midst of deciding if I'm going to switch because it's more affordable and I can get as many strips as I need, without the restraints of my insurance company.
Oh lucky you! Good to know, I guess.