I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

[belladie]

I have a schnoodle 3 weeks into a diabetic diagnosis. I purchased a Relion Confirm today & wanted to know if there is some formula to translate these human numbers to dogs. I saw somewhere that you should divide by a factor of .66, and the factor goes up as the human number does. I can't remember where I saw it. Someplace else just said to add 40. My vet is totally opposed to me testing at home, but I need to feel as though I'm doing something while we are getting her regulated. She was well over 400 when she was diagnosed. I realize it won't be as accurate as at the vets, but at least I can build a chart & monitor it. I only see the vet every 2 weeks.

[stylynjm]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

Welcome,
I also use the confirm, but have an alphatrak to use as comparison. Craig is our meter expert. He does use a conversion factor, but I found it not to be the same at 100 as it was at 300.. Sissy gets some crazy numbers!!!. I'm sure others will chime in. Good luck with your Bella. Lots of help and experience here

[CraigM]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

Wish people would stop calling me a meter expert! I'm just an enthusiast that makes meters a hobby!

I looked back in my log book and see that I did a series of comparisons between the Relion Confirm and AlphaTrak2 last June. In those tests it appears I would divide the Confirm reading by .66 to get a number close to what the AlphaTrak2 would yield. I feel the .66 conversion factor is "close enough" for my needs, but of course, there could be small differences between various boxes of test strips. The .66 conversion isn't always exact, but I think much closer to "true" than just taking the reading off the Confirm display. My thoughts, others may think differently.

Craig

[belladie]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

I don't need an "expert", I just need an approximation. Do most vets dislike us monitoring our own pets numbers? I have less trouble with my human doctor than the vet. I understand it takes awhile to get insulin & feeding regime balanced, I just want to keep an eye on progress (or lack thereof).

[drmvz]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

I have used alpha trak 2, freestyle lite and relion prime. I have compared them all many times. To make it easy... if the 2 human meters that I used read 50-100 I would add 50, 100-150 add 75 and anything over 150 add 100. all the vets I know do not recommend/advise home testing. I just think they don't want to take the time to educate the client and want the $$ for doing the curves in office.

[amydunn19]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

My vet always said he didn't ever think anyone would be willing to test at home and at diagnosis, most people are so overwhelmed with the routine and shots, adding in testing might be too much. I think they probably also worry that someone who may not completely understand the food/insulin relationship might get carried away and increase too much. I am certain there are also vets who want the money for curves but it seems many vets don't even do curves anymore.

[belladie]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

I would test if it was me or my human child, nothing is too much trouble for our dog-babies. I can learn: I am an intelligent human being, and I am willing to make the effort. After all, doctors readily admit they are "practicing"; and we still trust them. Blood sugar/insulin balance varies thoughout the day, much like blood pressure does. It's important to learn their personal curve. This is just another part of the deal I made with them when I adopted them. It's the least I can do as they give so much more. I don't expect to panic by a few high numbers, but I want the knowledge so I can better care for her. This is still new to me as far as a pet is concerned. We have diabetes in the family so I'm use to the shots & testing of humans.

[CarolW]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

Welcome to the forum, Belladie; you have an advantage, having knowledge of human diabetes, though canine diabetes isn't handled quite the same way!

I used a OneTouch Ultra, then a OneTouch Ultra2 meter with Kumbi, and just didn't bother converting any numbers. I didn't seem to need to. My vets include one who is a board-certified specialist in internal medicine; how handy for me! I'd merely consult with my vets; shipping them Kumbi's un-converted numbers by email.

That worked really well, and Kumbi stayed stable for some time, till the so-far undiagnosed cancer started to de-stabilize things.

The OneTouch meters had what I believe was a well-deserved reputation for consistency and reliability. I guess the main concern is to identify how low you want to permit blood glucose to go, maximum, to avoid hypos. My vets prefer to avoid hypos at all costs, and I must say, I agreed with them.

[Auddog]

Re: I want to convert "human" numbers to Bella numbers

Hi there,
I've read this thread a few times and each time I do, I think, "maybe Bazz and I should go get one and do a comparison between that and our alpha track 2 to see what kind of conversion number we get..."

Bazzle and I use the one touch ultra mini, and we use our AT2 to see how accurate it is . We've done quite a few same blood drop comparisons between the two (98), and by using a spreadsheet I was able to look at the average multiplier I would use to get a more true reading. About half way through putting together our spreadsheet I noticed what Sissy's mom mentioned, that the OTUM was more accurate in some ranges of numbers than others. So I put in some more formulas to find what my multiplier would be based on a particular range (this is probably overkill, since using the overall average multiplier had worked just fine ).

I remember when I first joined the forum, someone mentioned to me that it would be worth my while to invest in an AT2 and do my own side by side comparisons. I would like to encourage you to do the same, especially since our favorite saying on the forum is, "every dog/situation is different and what works for one of us may not work for another" I think if you could do your own comparisons, you would find how accurate your Confirm is specifically for Bella.

If you are interested, you can get the AT2 from American Diabetes Wholesale:

http://www.americandiabeteswholesale...t_2752_109.htm

If you put in the promotion code ALPHA2 it should drop the price down from $152.00 to $59.99 (retailmenot.com still has this code listed so it should work).
I found your other thread, and gave it a quick read through too. How is Bella's appetite?

I hope everything is going well for you and Bella,
Audrey & Bazzle