Difference in meter readings

use up the test strips knowing that there is a difference
are the test strips in date?? and not expired??

once you use up the test strips, call the 800 number on the
back of your Ultra and get a trade in for the Medisense

i don't know if Medisense has got better over the years, but
i walked away from their highly inaccurate meters 16 yrs ago

kate
--
Join us in the Diabetic-Talk Chatroom on UnderNet
/server irc.undernet.org --- /join #Diabetic-Talk More
info: diabetic-talk.orgdiabetic-talk.orgOpen ↗

"Patch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:EsBEc.29455$rh.22790@okepread02...

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is

a

Quoted message said:

Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips & lancets. I
thought it

would

Quoted message said:

be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a
test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be the
same, but 30 points is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch? Do
they use the same method of blood testing? (whole blood or
glucose) The instruction sheet

that

Quoted message said:

came with the meter is pretty skimpy.

Thanks

Patch <[email hidden]> quoth:

Quoted message said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is a Medisense 3, along with about
300 test strips & lancets. I thought it would be nice to
keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a test & then
decided to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My
One-Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be
the same, but 30 points is quite a bit. Can anyone
explain the higher reading on the One-Touch? Do they use
the same method of blood testing? (whole blood or
glucose) The instruction sheet that came with the meter
is pretty skimpy.

How hold is the Medisense? It may be reporting the results
in terms of whole blood glucose instead of plasma glucose.
See: joslin.harvard.edumeteOpen ↗
rs02.shtml

Priscilla
--
"Come to Planet Earth! Watch people with brains not use
them! Several shows daily! Free admittance!" Keera Ann Fox
in alt.support.menopause

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is a Medisense 3, along with about
300 test strips & lancets. I thought it would be nice to
keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a test & then
decided to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My
One-Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be
the same, but 30 points is quite a bit. Can anyone
explain the higher reading on the One-Touch? Do they use
the same method of blood testing? (whole blood or
glucose) The instruction sheet that came with the meter
is pretty skimpy.

Thanks

trade the medisense in on an Ultra or UltraSmart. It's more
accurate than the Medisense. they suck!

dave

Bay Area Dave said:

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is a Medisense 3, along with about
300 test strips & lancets. I thought it would be nice to
keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a test & then
decided to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My
One-Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be
the same, but 30 points is quite a bit. Can anyone
explain the higher reading on the One-Touch? Do they use
the same method of blood testing? (whole blood or
glucose) The instruction sheet that came with the meter
is pretty skimpy.

Thanks

trade the medisense in on an Ultra or UltraSmart. It's more
accurate than the Medisense. they suck!

dave

Dave I am using the Accu- chek compact more and more. The
blood pickup system of the Ultra is hard to beat. Their
strip containers suck.

The Ultra's blood pickup is superior and is less likely to
pickup contaminated blood..

I am surprised at the consistency of the reading
comparison of the two meters. Very close over a wide range
of blood sugars.

If I had good eye sight and hands I would probably stay with
the Ultra. Most new meters seem to be better as far as meter
consistency.

Now if we could get a price war going. No chance with
medical items. Guy

"Bay Area Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter

is a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips & lancets.
I thought it

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a
test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
Touch was 30

points

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

higher. I knew they wouldn't be the same, but 30 points
is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch? Do
they use the same method of blood testing? (whole blood
or glucose) The instruction sheet

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

came with the meter is pretty skimpy.

Thanks

trade the medisense in on an Ultra or UltraSmart. It's
more accurate than the Medisense. they suck!

dave

I found out that the One-Touch reads plasma & the Medisense
reads whole blood, hence the difference.

Bay Area Dave said:

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips & lancets.
I thought it

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a
test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be the
same, but 30 points is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch?

My One touch ultra also gives 30 point higher readings than
my Freestyle so I quit using it. I know my freestyle is
correct by my HBA1C results of 4.7. My one touch kept
telling me I was out of control; newer strips didn't help. I
think they put out some bad apples now and then, probably
just a fluke. I do like the much smaller blood drop I can
use with the freestyle, and I take it from my shoulders,
though I have to slap or pinch or rub them to get a drop. I
found that forearm testing made hickeys all over, but
shoulders don't do it near as bad and if they do, it doesn't
show. For a hypo always go for the hands for accuracy. Ann

Patch said:

"Bay Area Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter

is a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips & lancets.
I thought it

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a
test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
Touch was 30

points

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

higher. I knew they wouldn't be the same, but 30 points
is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch? Do
they use the same method of blood testing? (whole blood
or glucose) The instruction sheet

that

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

came with the meter is pretty skimpy.

Thanks

trade the medisense in on an Ultra or UltraSmart. It's
more accurate than the Medisense. they suck!

dave

I found out that the One-Touch reads plasma & the
Medisense reads whole blood, hence the difference.

the older Lifescan's also were calibrated to whole blood;
about 12% lower than the new ones like the Ultra. I prefer
the newer calibrated ones.

dave

Ann said:

Bay Area Dave said:

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips & lancets.
I thought it

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a
test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be the
same, but 30 points is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch?

My One touch ultra also gives 30 point higher readings
than my Freestyle so I quit using it. I know my freestyle
is correct by my HBA1C results of 4.7. My one touch kept
telling me I was out of control; newer strips didn't help.
I think they put out some bad apples now and then,
probably just a fluke. I do like the much smaller blood
drop I can use with the freestyle, and I take it from my
shoulders, though I have to slap or pinch or rub them to
get a drop. I found that forearm testing made hickeys all
over, but shoulders don't do it near as bad and if they
do, it doesn't show. For a hypo always go for the hands
for accuracy. Ann

your experience with those 2 meters run contrary to the
typical issue of the Freestyle meters reading inaccurately
HIGH. The newer Lifescan meters such as Ultra, UltraSmart,
the slightly older FastTake and SureStep, correlate very
well with lab results. Apparently YOUR mileage suffered
drastically! 🙂

dave

dave

"Ann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Bay Area Dave said:

Patch said:

Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
supplies. The meter is

a

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips &
lancets. I thought it

would

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as
a test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be the
same, but 30 points is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch?

My One touch ultra also gives 30 point higher readings
than my Freestyle so I quit using it. I know my freestyle
is correct by my HBA1C results of 4.7. My one touch kept
telling me I was out of control; newer strips didn't help.
I think they put out some bad apples now and then,
probably just a fluke. I do like the much smaller blood
drop I can use with the freestyle, and I take it from my
shoulders, though I have to slap or pinch or rub them to
get a drop. I found that forearm testing made hickeys all
over, but shoulders don't do it near as bad and if they
do, it doesn't show. For a hypo always go for the hands
for accuracy. Ann

My office-mate steared me away from the One Touch Ultra for
the same reasons, and I went with the slightly larger
Freestyle because of the screensize! But when I opened the
box, the 10 "free" strips that came in my box were one day
out of date (the test solution was fine), so I called the
company, and they immediately rushed me new ones. I imagine
most people like the really tiny one, if they can see it!
Thanks for the hint about shoulders. I'll definitely try it.

--pinecone

"Bay Area Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

the older Lifescan's also were calibrated to whole blood;
about 12% lower than the new ones like the Ultra. I prefer
the newer calibrated ones.

Dave's post is critically important! Some meters show
glucose refered to WHOLE BLOOD, some to PLASMA. The
difference is ~15%.

On the same sample, a meter that reflects milligrams of
glucose per deciliter of WHOLE BLOOD might read 100, while
another meter that references bg to PLASMA might read 115.
Both are correct. At these levels, the difference isn't
important. However, the difference between 200 and 230 is
very important, etc.

Regrettably, the meter itself doesn't say which sort it is
- you have to read the instructions, or call the 800
number and ask!

Henry

pinecone said:

"Ann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Bay Area Dave said:

Patch wrote:

>Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
>supplies. The meter is

a

Quoted message said:

>Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips & lancets.
>I thought it

would

Quoted message said:

>be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as a
>test & then

decided

Quoted message said:

>to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
>Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be the
>same, but 30 points is quite a bit.

Can

Quoted message said:

>anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch?

My One touch ultra also gives 30 point higher readings
than my Freestyle so I quit using it. I know my freestyle
is correct by my HBA1C results of 4.7. My one touch kept
telling me I was out of control; newer strips didn't help.
I think they put out some bad apples now and then,
probably just a fluke. I do like the much smaller blood
drop I can use with the freestyle, and I take it from my
shoulders, though I have to slap or pinch or rub them to
get a drop. I found that forearm testing made hickeys all
over, but shoulders don't do it near as bad and if they
do, it doesn't show. For a hypo always go for the hands
for accuracy. Ann

My office-mate steared me away from the One Touch Ultra
for the same reasons, and I went with the slightly larger
Freestyle because of the screensize! But when I opened the
box, the 10 "free" strips that came in my box were one day
out of date (the test solution was fine), so I called the
company, and they immediately rushed me new ones. I
imagine most people like the really tiny one, if they can
see it! Thanks for the hint about shoulders. I'll
definitely try it.

--pinecone

I pity you for your ignorance. The LifeScan meters are used
by all those who have tried them "all". Hope you don't screw
up your control by using a flaky meter. I had a Medisense
meter for ONE day that darn near did me in with an
erroneously high reading; I took insulin to reduce the false
high bg. MAJOR HYPO!

Lifescan meters nowadays read approx 12% higher than the
older meters in order to more closely match lab results. IN
actuality, they PERFORM ADMIRABLY in matching lab numbers.

Your post is the sort of thing that gets me upset at the mis-
information on the 'net AND in your case from a well
meaning, but ill-informed co-worker.

You'll never know you are getting consistently lower
readings if you get used to matching up your physical
symptoms to those of an incorrectly calibrated meter. GOOD
LUCK. sigh...

dave

Bay Area Dave <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

pinecone said:

"Ann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 21:22:50 GMT, Bay Area Dave
<[email hidden]> wrote:

>Patch wrote:
>
>
>>Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
>>supplies. The meter is

a

>>Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips &
>>lancets. I thought it

would

>>be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as
>>a test & then

decided

>>to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
>>Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be
>>the same, but 30 points is quite a bit.

Can

>>anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch?

My One touch ultra also gives 30 point higher readings
than my Freestyle so I quit using it. I know my
freestyle is correct by my HBA1C results of 4.7. My one
touch kept telling me I was out of control; newer strips
didn't help. I think they put out some bad apples now
and then, probably just a fluke. I do like the much
smaller blood drop I can use with the freestyle, and I
take it from my shoulders, though I have to slap or
pinch or rub them to get a drop. I found that forearm
testing made hickeys all over, but shoulders don't do it
near as bad and if they do, it doesn't show. For a hypo
always go for the hands for accuracy. Ann

My office-mate steared me away from the One Touch Ultra
for the same reasons, and I went with the slightly
larger Freestyle because of the screensize! But when I
opened the box, the 10 "free" strips that came in my box
were one day out of date (the test solution was fine),
so I called the company, and they immediately rushed me
new ones. I imagine most people like the really tiny
one, if they can see it! Thanks for the hint about
shoulders. I'll definitely try it.

--pinecone

I pity you for your ignorance. The LifeScan meters are
used by all those who have tried them "all". Hope you
don't screw up your control by using a flaky meter. I had
a Medisense meter for ONE day that darn near did me in
with an erroneously high reading; I took insulin to reduce
the false high bg. MAJOR HYPO!

Lifescan meters nowadays read approx 12% higher than the
older meters in order to more closely match lab results.
IN actuality, they PERFORM ADMIRABLY in matching lab
numbers.

Your post is the sort of thing that gets me upset at the
mis-information on the 'net AND in your case from a well
meaning, but ill-informed co-worker.

You'll never know you are getting consistently lower
readings if you get used to matching up your physical
symptoms to those of an incorrectly calibrated meter. GOOD
LUCK. sigh...

dave

Yes, I'm a newbie and just learning from talking to
others. Since all manufacturers apparently say to use
control solution and then retest when one has a very high
or low reading, I suspect all brands can potentially
produce a false reading (for various reasons). We do have
2 examples of people who switched after trying it. Since
my Freestyle and my Accu-Chek read almost identically, and
my doctor and diabetes educator are familiar with the Accu-
Chek, I feel very comfortable with both of mine. If you
want to share statistics, that would help newbies like me
a lot more than pity!

--pinecone

In article said:

If you want to share statistics, that would help newbies
like me a lot more than pity!

Not statistics, but FYI the only time Consumer Reports
tested meters, they ranked the One Touch Ultra as number one
followed by the Accu-Chek Advantage and Freestyle. They were
primarily interested in consistency and accuracy. The added
advantage for me of the Ultra (or UltraSmart which is the
same meter with additional features) is the small amount of
blood required and quick response time.

--
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...
where there is hatred, let me sow love.

remove "spamtrap" for e-mail

pinecone said:

Bay Area Dave <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

pinecone said:

"Ann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

>On Wed, 30 Jun 2004 21:22:50 GMT, Bay Area Dave
><[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>
>
>>Patch wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>Yesterday, I was given my late Mother's BG testing
>>>supplies. The meter is
>
>a
>
>
>>>Medisense 3, along with about 300 test strips &
>>>lancets. I thought it
>
>would
>
>
>>>be nice to keep an extra meter a work, so I used it as
>>>a test & then
>
>decided
>
>
>>>to use my One-Touch Ultra to compare readings. My One-
>>>Touch was 30 points higher. I knew they wouldn't be
>>>the same, but 30 points is quite a bit.
>
>Can
>
>
>>>anyone explain the higher reading on the One-Touch?
>
>My One touch ultra also gives 30 point higher readings
>than my Freestyle so I quit using it. I know my
>freestyle is correct by my HBA1C results of 4.7. My one
>touch kept telling me I was out of control; newer strips
>didn't help. I think they put out some bad apples now
>and then, probably just a fluke. I do like the much
>smaller blood drop I can use with the freestyle, and I
>take it from my shoulders, though I have to slap or
>pinch or rub them to get a drop. I found that forearm
>testing made hickeys all over, but shoulders don't do it
>near as bad and if they do, it doesn't show. For a hypo
>always go for the hands for accuracy. Ann

My office-mate steared me away from the One Touch Ultra
for the same reasons, and I went with the slightly larger
Freestyle because of the screensize! But when I opened
the box, the 10 "free" strips that came in my box were
one day out of date (the test solution was fine), so I
called the company, and they immediately rushed me new
ones. I imagine most people like the really tiny one, if
they can see it! Thanks for the hint about shoulders.
I'll definitely try it.

--pinecone

I pity you for your ignorance. The LifeScan meters are
used by all those who have tried them "all". Hope you
don't screw up your control by using a flaky meter. I had
a Medisense meter for ONE day that darn near did me in
with an erroneously high reading; I took insulin to reduce
the false high bg. MAJOR HYPO!

Lifescan meters nowadays read approx 12% higher than the
older meters in order to more closely match lab results.
IN actuality, they PERFORM ADMIRABLY in matching lab
numbers.

Your post is the sort of thing that gets me upset at the
mis-information on the 'net AND in your case from a well
meaning, but ill-informed co-worker.

You'll never know you are getting consistently lower
readings if you get used to matching up your physical
symptoms to those of an incorrectly calibrated meter. GOOD
LUCK. sigh...

dave

Yes, I'm a newbie and just learning from talking to
others. Since all manufacturers apparently say to use
control solution and then retest when one has a very high
or low reading, I suspect all brands can potentially
produce a false reading (for various reasons). We do have
2 examples of people who switched after trying it. Since
my Freestyle and my Accu-Chek read almost identically, and
my doctor and diabetes educator are familiar with the Accu-
Chek, I feel very comfortable with both of mine. If you
want to share statistics, that would help newbies like me
a lot more than pity!

--pinecone

ok, here is a USEFUL suggestion: Google on meters and see
how many times DIFFERENT posters laud the Lifescan meters.
You'll find more folks urging others to get the Lifescan
(nowadays the Ultra or UltraSmart) than any other meter, by
a WIDE margin. I suggest you not be swayed by a FEW
comments, but go with the majority of long term diabetic's
opinion. In other words don't trust just MY word for it;
trust the collective wisdom of those who respond to requests
for opinions on the "best" meter.

dave

Andrea said:

In article
<[email hidden]>,

(pinecone) said:

If you want to share statistics, that would help newbies
like me a lot more than pity!

Not statistics, but FYI the only time Consumer Reports
tested meters, they ranked the One Touch Ultra as number
one followed by the Accu-Chek Advantage and Freestyle.
They were primarily interested in consistency and
accuracy. The added advantage for me of the Ultra (or
UltraSmart which is the same meter with additional
features) is the small amount of blood required and quick
response time.

--
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace... where there
is hatred, let me sow love.

remove "spamtrap" for e-mail

yes; a mere 5 seconds! I love it!

dave