Diabetes Talking

Question:

   Whether the Profile gives results for ‘whole blood’ or ‘plasma’ is    dependent on the type of strips that Lifescan provides in the place    you live – in Canada the strips result in BG levels as if determined    from plasma rather than whole blood and it has been rumored that the    strips sold in the US will also be the same as in Canada and the    results will be equivalent to testing plasma (as the new Medisense    strips are now in the US). One thing about both Medisense and LIfescan is that when they sell you Plasma Calibrated strips THEY TELL YOU ABOUT IT, Including information on what it means (Lifescan has it on their web page I’m told (And found) and Medisense has it on a yellow card in the box of strips, I have the card here) Bayer, tells you it’s plasma calibrated, But unlike Lifescan and Medisense do not give a clue as to what that means. "Nothing adds excitement like something that is none of your business" Include this in your CONFIG.SYS file:  BUGS=OFF Net-Tamer V 1.08X – Registered

Response:

Hi Eric my daughter uses the FastTake we were long time users of Profile both great, but the FastTake is easier to use LESS blood and FAST results. On my web site I have a product section with info on both products and comments from user’s of both meters. http://people.ne.mediaone.net/dclc – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I am trying to decide which meter to buy and it seems like the One Touch Profile and the FastTake are both excellent choices. Can someone give me some comments on these meters ? I have read that some meters can display either mg/dL or mmol/L, and I am more familiar with mg/dL. Can these meters display this unit ? How about approximate pricing for both units and costs of supplies ? Best Regards, Eric Ho

– Diabetes Knowledge Web Site http://people.ne.mediaone.net/dclc

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Eric my daughter uses the FastTake we were long time users of Profile both great, but the FastTake is easier to use LESS blood and FAST results. On my web site I have a product section with info on both products and comments from user’s of both meters. http://people.ne.mediaone.net/dclc Hi, I am trying to decide which meter to buy and it seems like the One Touch Profile and the FastTake are both excellent choices. Can someone give me some comments on these meters ? I have read that some meters can display either mg/dL or mmol/L, and I am more familiar with mg/dL. Can these meters display this unit ? How about approximate pricing for both units and costs of supplies ? Best Regards, Eric Ho — Diabetes Knowledge Web Site http://people.ne.mediaone.net/dclc

Kind of wonder about my FastTake now..fairly new at it, but 1st reading tonight got "LO" on the meter, which means BG below 20 (hey I feel a bit tired but not **that** tired).  Next reading was 71 (better..), and for the 3rd reading, 90. Hmmmm.  All within 10 minutes of each other.  Although the drop of blood for the third was bigger.  Would that make a difference?  Also my hands were a bit cold, so after the 1st try I used some warm water to warm them up, per the meter’s manual. glen

Response:

look in the advertisement pages of the ADA Forecast monthly magazine.  prices are good.  most meters can be had for free or for as little as 20 dollars if you do not have a trade in.

Response:

Kind of wonder about my FastTake now..fairly new at it, but 1st reading tonight got "LO" on the meter, which means BG below 20 (hey I feel a bit tired but not **that** tired).  Next reading was 71 (better..), and for the 3rd reading, 90. Hmmmm.  All within 10 minutes of each other.  Although the drop of blood for the third was bigger.  Would that make a difference?  Also my hands were a bit cold, so after the 1st try I used some warm water to warm them up, per the meter’s manual.

I have had a couple of readings on the Fast Take and the Complete that were inaccurately low from a too small blood drop.  The 71 and 90 are within the accuracy of most meters.  I occassionally do back to back tests from separate "pokes".  Except for the not enough blood problem, the two results have been close. Joanne A Very Happy Pumper for 7 1/2 Weeks!

Response:

I compared my Sure Step to my Elite and Accu-Check Advantage and all 3 meters were within 8 mg/dl also checked the Elite to the FastTake and they were both within 5 mg/dl of each other Arnold http://www.healthchecksystems.com/success.htm

Response:

<<Kind of wonder about my FastTake now..fairly new at it, but 1st reading tonight got "LO" on the meter, which means BG below 20 (hey I feel a bit tired but not **that** tired).  Next reading was 71 (better..), and for the 3rd reading, 90.  Hmmmm.  All within 10 minutes of each other.  Although the drop of blood for the third was bigger.  Would that make a difference?  Also my hands were a bit cold, so after the 1st try I used some warm water to warm them up, per the meter’s manual. I got a reading like that (a 40) once on my Fasttake when I used basically a teensy shmear of blood (wiped my finger on the stick by mistake).  The Fasttake does take a tiny drop of blood, but it does have its limits I guess. Wendy

Response:

Today when I went to see my doctor, I did a side by side comparison test with too consecutive drops of blood. My SureStep gave 147 mg/dl, but my doctor’s SureStep gave 130 mg/dl. I know they are within the specifications, but …. Best Regards, Eric Ho

: I compared my Sure Step to my Elite and Accu-Check Advantage and all 3 : meters were within 8 mg/dl also checked the Elite to the FastTake and : they were both within 5 mg/dl of each other : Arnold : http://www.healthchecksystems.com/success.htm

Response:

Well more confusion today, when I went to the doctor.  Took the FastTake with me.  He was enthusiastic about doing the comparison with the blood draw they were going to do, but.. First reading off of FastTake, after 12 hr fast was 125, second reading was 137.  The reading off same blood, with their One Touch came in at about 70, which is what I would guess is closer to reality (I felt pretty good at the time).  So we’ll wait for the official lab results.   glen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have had a couple of readings on the Fast Take and the Complete that were inaccurately low from a too small blood drop.  The 71 and 90 are within the accuracy of most meters.  I occassionally do back to back tests from separate "pokes".  Except for the not enough blood problem, the two results have been close. Joanne A Very Happy Pumper for 7 1/2 Weeks!

Response:

Thanks Wendy..but what’s CVS?? Is there a web address?

I’m not Wendy, but…CVS is a Northeastern US drugstore chain. AF

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<<Thanks Wendy..but what’s CVS?? Sorry — it’s a drugstore chain in the New England area.   No website that I know of. Wendy

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CVS has recently purchase most all of the local Revco Drug stores in Southeast Georgia,  and have quite a few stores here.. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – (Gdmoffitt) writes: Thanks Wendy..but what’s CVS?? Is there a web address? I’m not Wendy, but…CVS is a Northeastern US drugstore chain. AF

Response:

Can someone give me some mail order sources ? I am in Hong Kong and they only carry the Sure Step and the One Touch II, but I want to get the Profile, and they are selling the Sure Step for about US$180 ! Best Regards, Eric Ho

: Eric, that’s what these message boards are for..thanks for asking because I am : also looking for a meter and so it was helpful reading Lis’s reply (thanks : Lis!).    I did some shopping at the local Fred Meyer which has a pharmacy and : here are the prices of the meters they carry.  Can anyone 1) give me a web : address to somewhere online where I can comparison shop, and 2) tell me if : these prices are reasonable?: : Sure Step   60.95 : Precision QID  67.89 : Onetouch Basic   48.99 : Onetouch Profile   104.95 : Exactech RSG  31.95 : Glucometer Elite  59.95 : AccuChek Advantage  55.95 : AccuChek Instant  36.95 : I realize some of these may come with a rebate but the Pharmacy was closed at : the time last night, so I’m not sure what they might be. : thanks! : Glen Moffitt

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I am kind of confused now. When people talk about BG values, which value are they referring to ? For example, some people say they have a target fasting BG of 90, do they mean "plasma value" or "whole blood value" ? Also, when you say whether it gives "plasma" value or "whole blood" values depends on the strips, can we tell from the coding (0-16 I think) or some numbers on the vial ? Best Regards, Eric Ho

: : Sorry, I actually meant "the Profile is whole blood calibrated" which : is what I am accustomed to. : : Thanks very much for the comments. : : Whether the Profile gives results for ‘whole blood’ or ‘plasma’ is : dependent on the type of strips that Lifescan provides in the place : you live – in Canada the strips result in BG levels as if determined : from plasma rather than whole blood and it has been rumored that the : strips sold in the US will also be the same as in Canada and the : results will be equivalent to testing plasma (as the new Medisense : strips are now in the US).

Response:

Can anyone 1) give me a web address to somewhere online where I can comparison shop

Hello. You can se a very nice comparison between meters on a website with URL: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0i_000.htm Take a look there! //Jenny

Response:

All these are very ambiguous sometimes.  Very often, posters often say bg of 90 or something like that and assumed that we understand.  As for the meters, the strips are calibrated to plasma value out of US ( ie rest of the world ) and whole blood in US.  The strips looks different too.  The ones that are plasma calibrated has pictures of 2 hands stretching out an index finger on it, while the whole blood version does not have any (at least this is what I saw from samples).  The coding has nothing to do with the calibration type of the strips ( ie plasma or whole blood ), but has to do with the variation of the strips reactivity for different lot.  The numbers is to calibrate the meter to the reactivity of the strips which varies with the lot number of the strips.  Generally, when you read journals, the values are invariably plasma values, from newsgroup, it depends on what meter are they using.  Since you are in Hongkong, the strips for one-touch would be plasma calibrated.  I noticed that generally, the trend is to be plasma calibrated, although you can just add 12% to the reading of the meter if it is whole blood calibrated.  Note that the meter does not measure plasma values, it just measure whole blood values and then add 12 % to make it plasma values. YL – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am kind of confused now. When people talk about BG values, which value are they referring to ? For example, some people say they have a target fasting BG of 90, do they mean "plasma value" or "whole blood value" ? Also, when you say whether it gives "plasma" value or "whole blood" values depends on the strips, can we tell from the coding (0-16 I think) or some numbers on the vial ? Best Regards, Eric Ho : : Sorry, I actually meant "the Profile is whole blood calibrated" which : is what I am accustomed to. : : Thanks very much for the comments. : : Whether the Profile gives results for ‘whole blood’ or ‘plasma’ is : dependent on the type of strips that Lifescan provides in the place : you live – in Canada the strips result in BG levels as if determined : from plasma rather than whole blood and it has been rumored that the : strips sold in the US will also be the same as in Canada and the : results will be equivalent to testing plasma (as the new Medisense : strips are now in the US).

Response:

YL, Thanks very much for the detail explanation. Does it mean that if I buy a Profile in the US (or anywhere in the world), then if I want to read whole blood value, I should buy the strips in the US, and buy them in Hong Kong (or anywhere outside the US) for plasma values ? Another question : How come some manufacturers have different models and                    some of the models give plasma values and other models                    give whole blood values ? For example, the One Touch family of Lifescan gives whole blood values, but the FastTake and SureStep give plasma values (I think in the US too). I think this will only further confuse the users. When doctors talk about BG values, are they talking about plasma values ? I have just been given a SureStep and accidentally that is the one my doctor’s clinic uses, so I will stick to it to make sure my doctor and I speak the same "language" Anyone knows if the SureStep is an accurate/good meter ? It is VERY easy to use (for a beginner like me) but it doesn’t have any fancy features like the Profile. I will probably get a Profile later for home use and leave the SureStep at work so that I don’t have to carry the meter around everyday. Best Regards, Eric Ho : All these are very ambiguous sometimes.  Very often, posters often say bg of : 90 or something like that and assumed that we understand.  As for the : meters, the strips are calibrated to plasma value out of US ( ie rest of the : world ) and whole blood in US.  The strips looks different too.  The ones : that are plasma calibrated has pictures of 2 hands stretching out an index : finger on it, while the whole blood version does not have any (at least this : is what I saw from samples).  The coding has nothing to do with the : calibration type of the strips ( ie plasma or whole blood ), but has to do : with the variation of the strips reactivity for different lot.  The numbers : is to calibrate the meter to the reactivity of the strips which varies with : the lot number of the strips.  Generally, when you read journals, the values : are invariably plasma values, from newsgroup, it depends on what meter are : they using.  Since you are in Hongkong, the strips for one-touch would be : plasma calibrated.  I noticed that generally, the trend is to be plasma : calibrated, although you can just add 12% to the reading of the meter if it : is whole blood calibrated.  Note that the meter does not measure plasma : values, it just measure whole blood values and then add 12 % to make it : plasma values. : YL

: I am kind of confused now. : When people talk about BG values, which value are they referring : to ? : For example, some people say they have a target fasting BG of 90, : do they mean "plasma value" or "whole blood value" ? : : Also, when you say whether it gives "plasma" value or "whole blood" : values depends on the strips, can we tell from the coding (0-16 I : think) or some numbers on the vial ? : : Best Regards, : Eric Ho :

: : : : : Sorry, I actually meant "the Profile is whole blood calibrated" which : : is what I am accustomed to. : : : : Thanks very much for the comments. : : : : : Whether the Profile gives results for ‘whole blood’ or ‘plasma’ is : : dependent on the type of strips that Lifescan provides in the place : : you live – in Canada the strips result in BG levels as if determined : : from plasma rather than whole blood and it has been rumored that the : : strips sold in the US will also be the same as in Canada and the : : results will be equivalent to testing plasma (as the new Medisense : : strips are now in the US).

Response:

Eric, that’s what these message boards are for..thanks for asking because I am also looking for a meter and so it was helpful reading Lis’s reply (thanks Lis!).    I did some shopping at the local Fred Meyer which has a pharmacy and here are the prices of the meters they carry.  Can anyone 1) give me a web address to somewhere online where I can comparison shop, and 2) tell me if these prices are reasonable?: Sure Step   60.95 Precision QID  67.89 Onetouch Basic   48.99 Onetouch Profile   104.95 Exactech RSG  31.95 Glucometer Elite  59.95 AccuChek Advantage  55.95 AccuChek Instant  36.95 I realize some of these may come with a rebate but the Pharmacy was closed at the time last night, so I’m not sure what they might be. thanks! Glen Moffitt

Response:

I like the Fast Take.   It measures in mg/dl.   My pharmacist recommended it. At CVS, it cost $64.99, but you get a $20 mail-in rebate and, if you send them your old meter, you get an additional $40.00 rebate, so the meter ends up costing you four bucks — and it comes with 25 strips!  Not a bad deal.   Wendy

Response:

Lis, : I will probably go for the Profile because I am more accustomed : to mg/dL. : The FastTake will also read in mg/dL.  Both meters can easily switch from : one to the other. Sorry, I actually meant "the Profile is whole blood calibrated" which is what I am accustomed to. Thanks very much for the comments. Best Regards, Eric Ho

Response:

Thanks Wendy..but what’s CVS?? Is there a web address? glenI like the Fast Take.   It measures in mg/dl.   My pharmacist recommended it. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -At CVS, it cost $64.99, but you get a $20 mail-in rebate and, if you send them your old meter, you get an additional $40.00 rebate, so the meter ends up costing you four bucks — and it comes with 25 strips!  Not a bad deal.   Wendy

Response:

Lis, Thanks for the comments. Is the Profile that much bigger than the FastTake ? I know dimensions for both, how about when they are in their carrying cases ?

The FastTake looks like a stopwatch.  IT easily fits in the pam of your hand.  It comes with a soft carrying case that holds the meter, vial of strips, lancing device and some lancets.  There’s even a belt loop on it. The Profile comes in a case that has more room for supplies.  It’s not huge, but definitely bigger than the FastTake.  I don’t use the case that came with it, I keep all of my stuff (insulin pens, lancets, meter, glucose tabs etc) in a carrying case called Dia-Pak.  I found it awkward to have pens in their individual cases, meter in its own case, glucose tabs in a separate container etc.  I’m Type I and have a lot of junk to haul around, Type II’s might not need anything other than the case that comes with the meter. I will probably go for the Profile because I am more accustomed to mg/dL.

The FastTake will also read in mg/dL.  Both meters can easily switch from one to the other. Sorry for asking so many questions, but this is something I will be using for MANY years

You should definitely ask & try to find out what will be the best meter for you.  As I said before, I like the Profile because of all the info it stores.  I don’t have to remember to write down the reading immediately, or how much insulin I took.  I can enter it into the meter and them transfer it to a log book once a day.  I don’t have the software that Lifescan makes for the Profile yet but I may get it eventually and just download the meter directly to my computer. Liz

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Hi, I am trying to decide which meter to buy and it seems like the One Touch Profile and the FastTake are both excellent choices. Can someone give me some comments on these meters ? I have read that some meters can display either mg/dL or mmol/L, and I am more familiar with mg/dL. Can these meters display this unit ? How about approximate pricing for both units and costs of supplies ? Best Regards, Eric Ho

Response:

Hi, I am trying to decide which meter to buy and it seems like the One Touch Profile and the FastTake are both excellent choices. Can someone give me some comments on these meters ?

I have both of these meters but use the Profile as my main meter.  The FastTake has several advantages over the Profile: smaller size & easier to carry around, shorter test time (15 seconds vs. 45 seconds) and it requires a very small blood sample.  It will record the last 150 (I think) test results & give a 14 day average.  The Profile requires a relatively large drop of blood for the test and it does take 45 seconds for the test.  But it holds something like 250 readings and you can assign notes to each one, such as fasting, after dinner, pre-exercise etc.  You can also enter insulin dosing information into the Profile.  You can get a 14 day average, and maybe even a 30 day.  You can get averages for readings assigned to each even, such as an average of all your fasting readings.  Lifescan makes a cable for the Profile so you can download the info to a computer.  They say they’re working on one for the FastTake but that will probably be awhile. The FastTake is calibrated to read like lab tests (serum) and the Profile isn’t.  Lifescan says that the FastTake should therefpre read somewhat higher than the Profile but I haven’t found that to be true in my case.  The FastTake consistantly reads lower and since I’m used to the Profile I’ve decided to stick with it. I have read that some meters can display either mg/dL or mmol/L, and I am more familiar with mg/dL. Can these meters display this unit ?

Both meters can be set to display either unit. How about approximate pricing for both units and costs of supplies ?

I live in the USA and didn’t have to pay for either meter.  Several years ago Lifescan sent me a coupon asking if I wanted a free Profile, so I sent it in.  A few months ago I called them asking about the FastTake and they offered to send one of those to me for free, too.  I’ve seen the Profile priced around US$100 and the FastTake around US$65.  Test strip prices for the FastTake seem to be a little higher than for the Profile but not by much. Liz

Response:

Lis, Thanks for the comments. Is the Profile that much bigger than the FastTake ? I know dimensions for both, how about when they are in their carrying cases ? I will probably go for the Profile because I am more accustomed to mg/dL. Sorry for asking so many questions, but this is something I will be using for MANY years Best Regards, Eric Ho

: Hi, : : I am trying to decide which meter to buy and it seems like : the One Touch Profile and the FastTake are both excellent : choices. : Can someone give me some comments on these meters ? : I have both of these meters but use the Profile as my main meter.  The : FastTake has several advantages over the Profile: smaller size & easier to : carry around, shorter test time (15 seconds vs. 45 seconds) and it requires : a very small blood sample.  It will record the last 150 (I think) test : results & give a 14 day average.  The Profile requires a relatively large : drop of blood for the test and it does take 45 seconds for the test.  But it : holds something like 250 readings and you can assign notes to each one, such : as fasting, after dinner, pre-exercise etc.  You can also enter insulin : dosing information into the Profile.  You can get a 14 day average, and : maybe even a 30 day.  You can get averages for readings assigned to each : even, such as an average of all your fasting readings.  Lifescan makes a : cable for the Profile so you can download the info to a computer.  They say : they’re working on one for the FastTake but that will probably be awhile. : The FastTake is calibrated to read like lab tests (serum) and the Profile : isn’t.  Lifescan says that the FastTake should therefpre read somewhat : higher than the Profile but I haven’t found that to be true in my case.  The : FastTake consistantly reads lower and since I’m used to the Profile I’ve : decided to stick with it. : I have read that some meters can display either mg/dL or mmol/L, : and I am more familiar with mg/dL. Can these meters display : this unit ? : Both meters can be set to display either unit. : How about approximate pricing for both units and costs of : supplies ? : I live in the USA and didn’t have to pay for either meter.  Several years : ago Lifescan sent me a coupon asking if I wanted a free Profile, so I sent : it in.  A few months ago I called them asking about the FastTake and they : offered to send one of those to me for free, too.  I’ve seen the Profile : priced around US$100 and the FastTake around US$65.  Test strip prices for : the FastTake seem to be a little higher than for the Profile but not by : much. : Liz

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