Anyone see significant test result differences when using the Ping meter remote vs. another meter?
In preparation for my pump start, I have switched from an Accu-Chek Compact Plus to the Ping meter, and the Ping consistently reads about 20 - 30 points higher that the A-C when I do back to back tests with both.
I know it’s expected that no two meters will read exacly the same, but this seems a bit beyond the norm.
I’m not sure which is more accurate. I guess I’ll ask my CDE about this at training next week.
I saw variations between the Ping meter and the freestyle meter built into my Deltec Cozmo that were similar to yours. Sometimes the Ping read 10 or 20 points higher, sometimes 10 or 20 lower. I wouldn’t worry about it. I’ve been pumping for 4 years now, and never had two meters read exactly the same.
Yep, me too. Differences between Cozmo (Freestyle) and One Touch Ping.
No real change in overall averages though.
I wouldnt worry about it, it shouldnt be off that much unless the meter is bad.
This is an interesting topic, as I’ve had similar experiences. I cross referenced the ping with the one touch mini and have had results more than 20 points different. Usually only when BG is in the higher range does this happen, but meters are not at all that accurate. I recall a recent read in the NYTimes that the FDA was demanding more accuracy in these devices, since this variance is unnacceptable. I wish I could reference the article. It usually is something we can deal with efffectively, but it would be better to not accidently have hypos dut to overbolusing, and accepting that as “part of the disease,” as it were. Its both frustrating and luaghable at the same time, the amount of money that is being made on a technonlogy that is not as accurate as it needs to be.
Given that, my Ping has always tested to within 5-10 units of my blood draws,albeit when Im normal, so I go back to the point about it being higher variance when sugars are 200 or more, in my experience, But still, WTF!!!
I have been using OneTouch meters for almost 3 years now and the Ping meter in particular for 1.5 years. I find that I get readings that are 20 to 30 points off when my BG is above 180. When I am below that number, the readings will be within a few points of one another. If I am over 180 and I get 2 different readings, I just average them and correct based on the average number. That works for me. My a1c versus my Ping meter is so close that I don’t worry too much about it anymore.
Part of the issue with any meter on the market goes back to the FDA standards. The meters don’t have to be as accurate as we really need. Some folks have switched to WaveSense meters because they have a higher standard of accuracy. That is one of their selling points. For me I like the bolus capability of the Ping so I will stick with that for now.
Suzanne, I am considering the Ping when I start the pump next month. Question? How often do you use the remote meter to bolus? Do you find it to be a good feature?
Another thing that people my not think of is the age of each meter. Like anything else any meter’s readings may slowly degrade after long use. Which way it changes, up or down, depends on just what changed and is likely different for each brand and model. Of course there’s also effects of how many times it’s been used and the normal fvariables of dirt or other contamination in the strip slot, etc, etc, ad nauseum…
A difference of 20% is unfortunately standard for these tests. The trouble is that having two test results gives you no way to know which is correct. It’s like the man with two watches; he never knows what time it is.
I’ve also noticed variations on the meter itself. Last night, I checked my BG and the meter read 176. Just for kicks, I checked it again using the same finger of the opposite hand, and the result was 199. To me, that’s a big difference. What if the 23 point difference was between 95 and 67? Or 140 and 117? It might mean a bolus or not, or a snack or not. I hope the developers are working to make the meter readings more accurate.
LaLa-I am astounded at this suggestion and I agree with you-for me I drop really low quickly and if the meter is off imagine what I am doing to myself. I have dropped regularly into the 50’s which for me is severe shock. I put a lot of trust in the meters. It never occurred to me to check the two meters simultaneously. I used an accu-check meter a few years ago as a part of a study at my Dr.'s office and results were very different. I decided to stick with the one-touch as I felt more comfortable.
