So I got my new Omnipod the other day- whoot whoot! But I can’t use it yet until I’ve had my training on it and that is next week (bummer). Anyway it came with a Freestyle Flash meter and I currently use a OneTouch Ultra 2 so I decided to test them side by side at different times to see if they were so different.
They couldn’t be more different! The OneTouch Ultra 2 is always lower than the Freestyle Flash usually by at least 20 points. I’ve had 20, 40, 60, and even 90 points of difference from the same blood sample! I wonder if anything besides the way the meters test or are built such as error on my part somehow accounts for the difference. I can’t imagine what since they were the same blood droplets. But it is REALLY FRUSTRATING when I don’t know if I should be giving myself some sugar or correcting myself and by how much since I don’t know which meter is correct! So far I’ve been averaging the results between the two meters since I’m not sure which is right. Not sure if I should be doing that but I figure the number is right somewhere in between. Any advice or thoughts?
Which number is more consistent with how you feel?
When you get your training, I would be sure to ask how they suggest calculating for the discrepancy.
It’s really hard to tell for me because I’m so new to Diabetes. While I can usually tell (not always though) if I’m feeling low, I can’t tell the difference between normal and high. I went to the Endo today, and she didn’t really help- I asked if I could do a lab test and compare but was basically told no and said use the OneTouch Ultra one since that is what I was using before and she likes that one better.
Are you sure your hands are clean when you’re testing? I know we’re all bad about that, but this study here reminded me how important a good wash was. I’ve been more diligent since I read the article in Sept. '08.
It’s more important that you treat consistently than it is that the numbers match.
Do you have a diabetes educator? They will often be more sensitive to these issues than an endo will be.
I usually wash my hands or use the alcohol wipes, but I never knew that food handling was an issue (usually worry about them being dirty!) and might have washed my hands before handling something but not after. However, would this affect one meter and not the other? Still so odd to me!
And yes, I’m meeting with my educator next week to go over my first pump so I can ask her then! Thanks 