Meter Variences

[Guest guest]

I recently received a free meter and decided to give it a try. My

first morning reading was 107, which is high for me. So I then tested

we my usual meter and tested at 89, typical. I've test with both

several times now and there's always a difference of 15 – 20 between

them. Is it normal for meters to read that differently? I've always

considered my old meter accurate since I've tested before and after

lab tests and have been within 2 of those readings.

Also, if I decide to go with this new meter, do I need a new scrip

from the doctor or do I just have to ask the pharmacist for different

strips?

Thanks

Jan

[Guest guest]

>

> I recently received a free meter and decided to give it a try. My

> first morning reading was 107, which is high for me. So I then tested

> we my usual meter and tested at 89, typical. Also, if I decide to go with

> this new meter, do I need a new scrip

> from the doctor or do I just have to ask the pharmacist for different

> strips?

Yes, it's normal. Home blood glucose testing is not absolute and perfect.

Meters do have variances, and even test strips can have variances with the

same meter. Depending on the sample site (and method of collecting the

sample.. i.e., too much squeezing brings cellular fluids in to the sample)

you can have different reading with the same meter and same lot of strips.

The main answer is consistency. Use the same meter, test in the same manner

and compare how your overall test results (over the course of a month or so)

match with your doctors testing... does your A1C reflect what your test

results are.

As far as changing strips... it depends on your pharmacy (I think more so

than the insurance)... I've had a pharmacy change their records to allow

different strips than they had on file... and I've had them refuse (probably

depends on the person you are dealing with more than the pharmacy). If you

have problems talk to the pharmacist rather than the tech that usually

enters the prescriptions and refill requests.

Mike

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your thoughts on this Mike. I guess somehow I keep thinking

'why would I want to use a meter that gives me higher readings'. That

would be like putting a brick on the scale before I weigh myself. I

think it will upset me even if I know why it's higher. Just an

emotional thing.

Jan

>

>

> Yes, it's normal. Home blood glucose testing is not absolute and

perfect.

> Meters do have variances, and even test strips can have variances

with the

> same meter. Depending on the sample site (and method of collecting the

> sample.. i.e., too much squeezing brings cellular fluids in to the

sample)

> you can have different reading with the same meter and same lot of

strips.

>

> The main answer is consistency. Use the same meter, test in the

same manner

> and compare how your overall test results (over the course of a

month or so)

> match with your doctors testing... does your A1C reflect what your test

> results are.

>

>

> Mike

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Thanks for your thoughts on this Mike. I guess somehow I keep thinking

> 'why would I want to use a meter that gives me higher readings'. That

> would be like putting a brick on the scale before I weigh myself. I

> think it will upset me even if I know why it's higher. Just an

> emotional thing.

> Jan

I see what you are saying. How does your current meter compare to your

readings from the doctors office? Does your average reading at home match

up with what your A1C is telling you?

Maybe it's just a guy thing. For me... the numbers are just numbers. There

is nothing there to be upset about and there is nothing emotional tied to

them for me. They are what they are. Simply a reference to know what

direction you are going. Simply a snapshot in time.

I had similar discussions with people at weight watchers when I was doing

that. All of the women would take off their shoes, sweaters and even

jewelry before they got on the scale.... I just stepped on with my shoes and

wallet etc... if I always weigh with my shoes on, I know how much I lost

between weigh in's. I didn't have the emotional connection to the numbers

that most of the women had. The people who did weigh in's (primarily women)

would be (what I considered) too 'comforting' if I had a 1 lb gain in a

week. I'd just shrug it off and point out my record that showed usually if

I had a 1 lb gain the next week I usually lost twice what I had been, and

that even with a 1 lb gain, my 'trend' was going down... not up. I saw many

women there who were devistated if they gained a pound... some who just

quit, some who would be in tears.

Remember your readings are nothing but numbers. They have no bearing on

your worth or your success. They are simply tools to let you know where you

are at and to point you to the direction you need to go.

Mike

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/30/2006 1:02:07 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

schappaugh@... writes:

Maybe it's just a guy thing. For me... the numbers are just numbers. There

is nothing there to be upset about and there is nothing emotional tied to

them for me. They are what they are. Simply a reference to know what

direction you are going. Simply a snapshot in time.

Hi Mike,

Nope, it is not just a " guy " thing. LOL. Numbers are just numbers for me

also. Meters are not perfect, strips are not perfect and I'm certainly not

perfect. I expect to get high readings occasionally since people without

diabetes can get high readings. As long as my monthly averages are below 6,

I'm

satisfied.

hugs

Eunice

[Guest guest]

Have a question on the WW thing. I did WW a couple of years ago, and am doing

basically the same things that I did before with mediocre results. I know that

the only thing that has changed is my tolerance to carbs, so, what changes did

you make to the WW points system to accomodate the diabetes meal plan? Looking

forward to as much info and advice on this as I can get.

Janet

Re: Re: Meter Variences

>

> Thanks for your thoughts on this Mike. I guess somehow I keep thinking

> 'why would I want to use a meter that gives me higher readings'. That

> would be like putting a brick on the scale before I weigh myself. I

> think it will upset me even if I know why it's higher. Just an

> emotional thing.

> Jan

I see what you are saying. How does your current meter compare to your

readings from the doctors office? Does your average reading at home match

up with what your A1C is telling you?

Maybe it's just a guy thing. For me... the numbers are just numbers. There

is nothing there to be upset about and there is nothing emotional tied to

them for me. They are what they are. Simply a reference to know what

direction you are going. Simply a snapshot in time.

I had similar discussions with people at weight watchers when I was doing

that. All of the women would take off their shoes, sweaters and even

jewelry before they got on the scale.... I just stepped on with my shoes and

wallet etc... if I always weigh with my shoes on, I know how much I lost

between weigh in's. I didn't have the emotional connection to the numbers

that most of the women had. The people who did weigh in's (primarily women)

would be (what I considered) too 'comforting' if I had a 1 lb gain in a

week. I'd just shrug it off and point out my record that showed usually if

I had a 1 lb gain the next week I usually lost twice what I had been, and

that even with a 1 lb gain, my 'trend' was going down... not up. I saw many

women there who were devistated if they gained a pound... some who just

quit, some who would be in tears.

Remember your readings are nothing but numbers. They have no bearing on

your worth or your success. They are simply tools to let you know where you

are at and to point you to the direction you need to go.

Mike

[Guest guest]

-My first meter seemed to be closer to the lab tests. The new meter

seems high. But the new meter is smaller, tests faster, and requires

just a tiny amount of blood. It would be nice to switch to a meter

with these features. And yes, shoes come off before I weigh in.

Jan

> I see what you are saying. How does your current meter compare to your

> readings from the doctors office? Does your average reading at home

match

> up with what your A1C is telling you?

>

[Guest guest]

I have the same problem with a new meter I just got. I am so frustrated I am

thinking about changing again!

[Guest guest]

>

> Have a question on the WW thing. I did WW a couple of years ago, and am

> doing basically the same things that I did before with mediocre results. I

> know that the only thing that has changed is my tolerance to carbs, so, what

> changes did you make to the WW points system to accomodate the diabetes meal

> plan? Looking forward to as much info and advice on this as I can get.

Janet,

Remember, WW points are based upon a formula (use your point slider) of fat,

fiber and calories. Carbs are NOT one of the things taken into

consideration (because carbs are part of the total calories).

There is NOTHING in WW processes that tell you that you have to eat carbs.

So, figure out what carbs you will be eating, calculate their points, and

make the rest of your points come from protein choices, like lean beef,

turkey, etc. and the 'free' veggies (broccoli, cauliflour, cabbage,

lettuce... you remember the drill).

You can easily merge a low carb diet into the WW point process. Also, look

for WW meals that are low carb (there are some good ones) as well as *some*

of the South Beach frozen dinners (they tend to be a little higher in

calories/fat.

Mike