I tried a couple of different BGMs when I was first diagnosed. I settled in on the Precision Xtra. Once we got my meds regulated (dropped the dosages twice to get there), my A1C got right in line between 6.1 and 6.5 every checkup. The doctor said that it was doing so well that he didn’t really think I needed to test daily unless I felt high or low. As a result, I began dealing with the strip expirations if I bought large boxes of strips.
I did have a few spells over the years where I needed to test frequently, but for the most part it has been a maintenance issue when I needed it.
As I have gotten older, I’ve begun to feel that I needed to test more regularly, but the results weren’t lining up with how I was feeling. Last checkup I had, I took my meter and did a comparison reading to the office unit. I was reading 165 (fasting without morning meds) while the office unit read below 140. I had switched from the Abbott-branded strips to the Reli-on brand because the pharmacy was out of the Abbott.
I guess my questions are:
has anyone else seen accuracy issues with the Precision Xtra?
do you think the Reli-on strips are only semi-compatible?
do the meters lose their accuracy over time, especially if left in a hot or cold car?
I’ve read the critical reviews of the Precision Neo (US Edition) and I know the Reli-on Ultima is not as feature-rich as the Precision Xtra.
It may not be ideal, but assuming the office unit was 100% perfect. The ISO standard for meters means your meter needs to read within 20% of your actual bg measurment when above 75 mg/dl, i.e. 112 - 168. Not exactly encouraging I know, but your unit is within the ISO standards for meters, see below:
Minimum Acceptable Meter Accuracy
When glucose range of blood sample is Lower than 75 mg/dl:
95 percent of the results must fall within +/- 15 mg/dl
When glucose range of blood sample is 75 mg/dl or Higher:
95 percent of the results must fall with +/- 20 percent
Generally for my own sanity, when we try a new meter we do three sequential measurements, ideally at least 2 from the same stick, and see what the sequential measurements are. If they vary considerably from each other, we try a different vial. If they still vary considerably, we change meters. What “considerably” means differs for each person. We like the sequential measurements to be within +/- 10 points.
I can’t give you feedback on the meter brands you are considering. Check your meters against a lab blood draw for glucose. I usually do two finger-sticks (wash and dry hands!) at the same time as the blood draw and record them in my phone. I then compare my finger-sticks against the lab. I’ve been getting pretty tight correspondence with the lab, within 10%.
I hope you find a suitable meter system. I read some good reviews of some of the less expensive strips. Even though I use a continuous glucose monitor, I still like to do finger-sticks more than the average person.
I use One Touch strips and three months is like $35. I have Aetna. Its pretty good. All my scripts add up to $224 per month. I am grateful that it is not more difficult for me.
