I got a new Freestyle Lite meter. So far I am not impressed.
My old meter was tested at the pharmacy when I was always getting normal readings just to make sure it was accurate. I tested it a second time with the nutritionist and it was within a couple of points.
My old meter gave me a reading of 6.8 (122) today. The new Freestyle gave a reading of 8.4. (151)
Doesn’t this seem like an awfully large discrepancy? The old one has the proper new chip in it, and the Freestyle supposedly does not have to be coded.
The only way to know for sure is to test right in the lab, when you’re getting your blood drawn. You can take both meters, and test, at the lab. My Breeze2, and the Lite… only differ from each other by 2 or 3 points, usually. If I use a One Touch, though, it’s a huge difference… I’ve also heard people having problems with Accucheck meters, though I’ve never used one myself.
Yeah, mine was this accurate, too, compared to labwork.
I have one too. I’mnot overly impressed but isnt’ wasnt’ too far off themark when I did my labwork
Mine was only off by 1 point from the labwork…
My Bayer Breeze was 93
My labwork was 94
And My Freestyle Lite was 95.
(oh, and my sample was right from my finger)
We use two freestyle lites and no issues…use the vial of solution to test again
I’ve been using Freestyle products for years since they came out, due to them being one of the few blood meters that use a small droplet of blood, plus I can refill up on the strip if the droplet of blood isn’t big enough along with no coding of the test strips. One of my issues with other BG meters, strips would be wasted due to not enough GOBS of blood, and that is $1CDN into the garbage - adds up in $$'s and frustration of having to prick another spot on my porking fingertips 
So far, in answer to your accuracy question - I have no issues with the Freestyle Lite I use. Each time I’ve gone to have my A1C done (every 6 months) - I take my BG reading at the same time as the vampire needle - and there’s not much discrepancy.
I use a Freestyle Lite and these meters do read higher than other brands. It’s not a problem as long as the meter itself consistently reads higher, which mine does. Values of 6.8 and 8.4 technically fall into the +/- 20% acceptable range for meter accuracy, which is meant for readings on the same meter, so isn’t at all bad when it’s two separate meters being compared.
I guess I will have to test both at the same time in the hospital then. Thanks.
Now I see why so many people complain about the +/- 20% this is just insane when a person’s life literally depends on accurate readings.
My old meter was tested within the last month. It’s the only one I have used since I was diagnosed about 5 weeks ago.
Yes both batches of strips were fresh. The old meter’s strips expire in Apr 2011, and the new meter’s strips expire in July 2011.
Nothing on my hands, I always wash before I take readings and take care to rinse thoroughly so no soap is left.
Both tests were done at the same time on the same finger.
I am assuming I have no bloodwork coming up as nobody has ever said anything about having to have it done at all…
It does sound like they have good customer support though.
I don’t like having to hold the strip in the blood sample until it beeps. With the Nano I was using you just have to touch the strip to the drop and it instantly wicks it in.
Those sound very accurate, but one of mine is waaaay off. I am more curious now which one it is since I have seen people who use the Freestyle and those who use the Accu-Chek and most of them seem happy with the accuracy. With a 30 point discrepancy, one of them is sure not very accurate.
I don’t have any control solution myself, but I will take both meters to the pharmacy today and see if they will test both of my meters.
Hmm, to me it seemed like the Nano used less blood. Maybe it’s because I make a bigger drop to be sure that the Freestyle strip itself does not touch my skin while I am holding it in the drop (according to the instructions).
The Nano pulls it right up so I don’t have to worry about a twitch or something while I am trying to hold it still.
I totally agree about hating when I have to waste those bloody things (no pun intended) at that cost.
I do like the lancet with the Freestyle better. The drums in the Nano I like because I don’t have to change the things every time, but the Freestyle lancet seems to use a bigger needle and I get the blood drop a LOT easier than with the Nano.