Active Low-Carber Forums
Atkins diet and low carb discussion provided free for information only, not as medical advice.
Home Plans Tips Recipes Tools Stories Studies Products
Active Low-Carber Forums
A sugar-free zone


Welcome to the Active Low-Carber Forums.
Support for Atkins diet, Protein Power, Neanderthin (Paleo Diet), CAD/CALP, Dr. Bernstein Diabetes Solution and any other healthy low-carb diet or plan, all are welcome in our lowcarb community. Forget starvation and fad diets -- join the healthy eating crowd! You may register by clicking here, it's free!

Go Back   Active Low-Carber Forums > Main Low-Carb Diets Forums & Support > Low Carb Health & Technical Forums > Dr.Bernstein & Diabetes
User Name
Password
FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read Search Gallery My P.L.A.N. Survey


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   ^
Old Mon, Jan-12-15, 23:28
Whited Whited is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 299
 
Plan: Very Low Carb
Stats: 312/235/185 Male 66 inches
BF:
Progress: 61%
Location: Missouri
Default Accuracy of BG meters

Hi. I'm a relatively newly diagnosed diabetic (I'm introduced myself in some other forums) and have been on a LC diet since mid November. Here's my question for some of you type 2 diabetics. What's going on with my meter???

I checked this evening before bed and it was 135 -- way above what it normally is (about 100 this time of night) -- I rewashed my hands and tested several more times and it went from 124 to 109 then to 93 then 102 -- what the heck???

I have a wal-mart reli-on meter -- are these things affected by cold? I had taken it with me (I teach a night class), it was inside the building but it was in the seat as I drove back and it was really cold in my car. Or are these that inaccurate? I have read that the post pradial 2 hour tesing is the most accurate (even more that Ha1cs) for measuring BG but are these readings reliable?
Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 00:02
gonwtwindo's Avatar
gonwtwindo gonwtwindo is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,671
 
Plan: General Low Carb
Stats: 164/162.6/151 Female 5'3"
BF:Sure is
Progress: 11%
Location: SoCal
Default

Afaik all meters are affected by cold temperatures. Look at your meter's manual...it should say at which temperatures it operates accurately. Or at least, it should give a range of "ok" temperatures.
Reply With Quote
  #3   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 06:22
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

Although there are many rave reviews about how cheap and yet reliable the Walmart brand is, I found the numbers bounced around for me too. I gave up on it when I bought a combo ketone and blood meter, since I wanted to test for ketosis. (From ADW)
From the same on-line site, I just ordered one of the just glucose meter kits from True, with 100 strips, haven't received it yet. ADW often has a good featured/intro deal even less than Walmart. CoachJeff mentioned another True brand meter on the thread..Eat to your Meter.

Last edited by JEY100 : Tue, Jan-13-15 at 07:14.
Reply With Quote
  #4   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 09:10
Whited Whited is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 299
 
Plan: Very Low Carb
Stats: 312/235/185 Male 66 inches
BF:
Progress: 61%
Location: Missouri
Default

Thanks all -- The manual didn't say anything about temperature so I called the company help line and they said cold might affect it. I'm hoping that's what it was. I think I'll search for the top rated (for accuracy) meters as long as the testing strips aren't too expensive.

Dennis
Reply With Quote
  #5   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 09:22
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

I bought the TrueBalance Meter combo for $19.49, 100 strips. From another thread, Jeff found a TrueResult on Amazon, a kit with lancet (which I didnt need).
Reply With Quote
  #6   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 09:27
Liz53's Avatar
Liz53 Liz53 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,140
 
Plan: Mostly Fung/IDM
Stats: 165/138.4/135 Female 63
BF:???/better/???
Progress: 89%
Location: Washington state
Default

When I first began testing my blood sugars, I was reading Dr Bernstein's book. He said in it for anyone reading to call his office for his current recommendation for the most accurate meter. I called his office, Dr Bernstein answered the phone, and he recommended the Accu-Check Aviva. The strips are very expensive though. I've also tried the Accu-chek Compact and it seems reliable and somewhat less expensive (though still expensive in my book).

I'm currently using Nova Max ($20 per 50 strips) but am getting more errant readings than I'd like, raising the true cost per strip. (If I see a wonky reading, I retake and it could be 25 points different). Next time I order I plan to get the meter and strips that Coach Jeff recommends: http://www.amazon.com/Diabetes-Test...test+strips+100
The strips themselves are apparently the highest rated on Amazon.
Reply With Quote
  #7   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 18:05
Whited Whited is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 299
 
Plan: Very Low Carb
Stats: 312/235/185 Male 66 inches
BF:
Progress: 61%
Location: Missouri
Default

I checked Consumer Reports and the "Accu-Check Aviva" was the top rated of the group. The Wal-mart "Reli-on" that I have was also listed as excellent on accuracy (although one reviewer just said the test strips were recently changed and less quality -- hence less accurate -- he said he tested three boxes of strips and found the readings way too high -- but whether to know if he's right?)

A consideration is also the cost of strips -- I don't have insurance (I'm on a medical sharing program but it doesn't pay for any doctor visits or medicines). So I might have to stay with the wal-mart brand and hope for the best -- but I'm still researching.
Reply With Quote
  #8   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 18:49
gonwtwindo's Avatar
gonwtwindo gonwtwindo is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,671
 
Plan: General Low Carb
Stats: 164/162.6/151 Female 5'3"
BF:Sure is
Progress: 11%
Location: SoCal
Default

I wonder if you contact the Accu-check people and ask if they have a discount program for those on low income...maybe they will? Some pharmaceutical companies do!
Reply With Quote
  #9   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 20:23
Whited Whited is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 299
 
Plan: Very Low Carb
Stats: 312/235/185 Male 66 inches
BF:
Progress: 61%
Location: Missouri
Default

Good suggestion -- I do remember that someone told me that many drug companies have these programs. I'm not really poor and I don't want to take advantage but budgets are tight.

I am a teacher who just retired last year and I still work two jobs (teaching college classes) but there isn't a lot left over. Some professional career path huh? And to think I dropped out in the middle of law school to become a teacher. My wife is semi-disabled (in pain most days) and can't work any more and even if she could have she was homeschooling my autistic son for years. He is very intelligent (high functioning) and able (age 18) but no one will hire him when they hear that autistic label -- not even at Mcdonalds. So my small earnings and modest retirement have to go a LONG way.

However, we do get by just fine and I'm very thankful for the sharing program. It would be cool if I didn't have to pay 100% for doctors and medicines though.

Last edited by Whited : Tue, Jan-13-15 at 20:33.
Reply With Quote
  #10   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 22:37
gonwtwindo's Avatar
gonwtwindo gonwtwindo is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,671
 
Plan: General Low Carb
Stats: 164/162.6/151 Female 5'3"
BF:Sure is
Progress: 11%
Location: SoCal
Default

Aw, Whited, I feel for ya. Back when my marriage broke up, and I went back to work after 16 years at home...I was making minimum wage. I soon had 3-4 jobs at a time but still had no insurance and barely made rent.

Desperate for affordable care, I went to a little Mexican clinica in a neighboring town. I called all of them until I found the cheapest. I took myself and my kids there for a couple of years and got really good quality medical care. Everybody spoke fluent English. They changed me about 1/3 for lab test and shots, and an office visit was $45 instead of $180. This guy cured us of a horrible bronchitis and treated a son's really bad sunburn. I trusted him 100%, and if I am ever without medical care I'll do the same thing again. Maybe that would work for you guys.
Reply With Quote
  #11   ^
Old Tue, Jan-13-15, 22:42
gonwtwindo's Avatar
gonwtwindo gonwtwindo is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,671
 
Plan: General Low Carb
Stats: 164/162.6/151 Female 5'3"
BF:Sure is
Progress: 11%
Location: SoCal
Default

Whited, I see you are new and don't have a journal. Here's a link to where you can start one:

Click here to go to the journal forum then click "New Thread" (upper left) to start your own.
Reply With Quote
  #12   ^
Old Wed, Jan-14-15, 05:59
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

One point on insurance, if you did use your doctor order and buy strips at a pharmacy, the services that track prescriptions will have a record of it, and report it, when you do apply for insurance. Maybe under the new rules it won't effect your premium, but prescription history use to. For someone just starting with a new brand, the Intro Packages found through the on-line diabetes sellers can be less than buying all the pieces separately at Walmart. The Relion Prime strips look like heavy paper, where some brands have a metal contact point to meter. No idea if that makes any difference.
Reply With Quote
  #13   ^
Old Wed, Jan-14-15, 07:45
Whited Whited is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 299
 
Plan: Very Low Carb
Stats: 312/235/185 Male 66 inches
BF:
Progress: 61%
Location: Missouri
Default

Thanks Gone with the Window, Liz, and Janet. Unfortunatley I live in Missouri so not so close to Mexico.

Janet -- The doctor I went to wouldn't write me an order for a meter or strips if you can believe that. She said she doesn't approve of patients testing their BG with a meter. Of course she is also the one who said it was pretty much impossible to control diabetes with diet and excercise and that I would need to be on drugs for the rest of my life. Probably a good guess that she's not a big fan of Richard Bernstein.

I did find a Dr. in our capital, Jefferson City, who deals soley in supplements and natural methods in treating diabetes BUT he costs $260 a visit and it takes 6 months to get in to see him -- so he's out. Of course I can
buy these strips on my own but I sure would like to get the most accurate I can find. For example, this morning my BG was 108 and I took it again (different finger) and it was 90.

Last edited by Whited : Wed, Jan-14-15 at 09:45.
Reply With Quote
  #14   ^
Old Wed, Jan-14-15, 08:24
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

Whhaa?? Not giving a meter to a diagnosed diabetic? Was she afraid if you used one and followed the recommeded ADA diet, you would see what a massive failure that is? You could send her this new Review of LC for diabetes, but why let science get in the way of of Big Pharma profits? http://www.nutritionjrnl.com/articl...0332-3/abstract

Have you read Diabetes Warrior? http://www.diabetes-warrior.net sounds like you need to become one yourself.

Anyway IRW , I just wrote a friend ways to find a LC doctor. No guarentee about diabetes, or that LC is even their preferred diet treatment, but these lists might help your search of another doctor.

*************

There are a number of resources to help you find medical care supportive of a reduced carbohydrate way of eating. Some lists include not only medical doctors, but chiropractors, naturopaths, nutritionists, RDs, etc. Some are for general practitioners, some for Obesity specialists. With any recommendation, check the website/reviews or phone the office directly to learn more about the doctor’s philosophy on diet.

Find a Low Carb Doctor (Jimmy Moore’s site): http://lowcarbdoctors.blogspot.com

Primal Docs: http://primaldocs.com

Paleo Physicians Network: http://paleophysiciansnetwork.com

American Society of Bariatric Physicians: http://www.asbp.org
Click Find a Clinician. Not to be confused with Bariatric Surgeons. Members may use other non-surgical plans, not necessarily a LC diet.

Institute for Functional Medicine: https://www.functionalmedicine.org
Click Find a Practitioner. Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership. Diet may not be LC.

General article how to determine if any on the above lists are good for you:
http://greatist.com/grow/how-to-choose-the-right-doctor

Last edited by JEY100 : Wed, Jan-14-15 at 11:53.
Reply With Quote
  #15   ^
Old Wed, Jan-14-15, 08:29
Liz53's Avatar
Liz53 Liz53 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 6,140
 
Plan: Mostly Fung/IDM
Stats: 165/138.4/135 Female 63
BF:???/better/???
Progress: 89%
Location: Washington state
Default

Whited, your doctor sounds ridiculous and antiquated. She doesn't consider her patients able to attend to their own health? I've had 3 doctors over the past 5 years (one went into VIP practice, and then I moved) and they all were supportive of me checking blood glucose. I'm not diabetic, but have some signs of pre-diabetes and they are all for catching it now, rather than letting it progress. If you end up sticking with her, I'd bring your results in to the next meeting and show her that you are willing to do what it takes to stay off of meds and that LC can help the situation.

My current doctor even asked if I wanted a prescription for the supplies, but I declined not wanting it on my medical history (for the reasons that Janet cites).

Are the Walmart strips cheaper than the strips that Coach Jeff(and I) linked to? The starter kit is $35 (kind of high) but the refills are <$18 for 100 strips from Amazon. That's usually where they hit you up, but that's a great price!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 19:35.


Copyright © 2000-2024 Active Low-Carber Forums @ forum.lowcarber.org
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.