Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

[eileen]

With the new Alpha Trak 2 meter on the market I was curious as to if the 'older' Alpha Trak will work with the newer Alpha Trak 2 test strips and visa versa, so I called Dr. Evans at Abbott this morning.


His information is as follows;

The 'old' Alpha Trak meter WILL accept the new style test strips.
The new Alpha Trak 2 will NOT accept the old style test strips.
The old style strips will at some point be impossible to purchase as supplies
dwindle down.

When using the older version of the Alpha Trak with the newer style test strips the
code for both dogs and cats will be code 7...but, a bit of accuracy can be lost.

The newer test strips have the feature of turning the meter on and off when
inserted.
With the little prickly points on the wick they will prick the blood drop to
take the blood into the strip more easily.

[CraigM]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

When using the older version of the Alpha Trak with the newer style test strips the
code for both dogs and cats will be code 7...but, a bit of accuracy can be lost.

The newer test strips have the feature of turning the meter on and off when
inserted.
With the little prickly points on the wick they will prick the blood drop to
take the blood into the strip more easily.

VERY interesting! Thanks for sharing.

I wonder if this is also the reason I see a slight difference in using the old / new FreeStyle Lite strips?

[eileen]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

I see a problem may be that with the older Alpha Trak test strips becoming unavailable over time and with the newer style Alpha Trak 2 test strips 'working' with the older version yet with a possibility of inaccuracy there will be no correct Alpha Trak test strips to do comparisons with if a questionable reading should arise with using the Freestyle Lite test strips with the older version Alpha Trak.

...taking a breath, that was a mouthful ;-)

[CraigM]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

I'm actually thinking about buying a new AlphaTrak. We've had four years use out of this meter that was given to us. Who knows how many little changes have been made over the years? Besides, the old box is getting tatty!

[jesse girl]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

yikes my original vet did not know anything about vetsilin at the time of the crises i had more info then them i wonder if the information is getting to all owners of alpha tracks and most important vets

i guess if your doing a curve at the vet it is something that needs to be addressed

good catch eileen

[CraigM]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Abbott also updated the AlphaTrak web site. The AlphaTrak-2 looks like the FreeStyle Lite meter now.

http://www.alphatrakmeter.com/index.html

[Kat Negron]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Ugh! And I JUST bought the ORIGINAL Alpha Trak from American Diabetes Wholesale! I guess the other question will be will the freestyle lite strips work in the new Alpha Trak.

I think my head just exploded a little...

I mean how inaccurate are they talking about using the new strips in the old meter? I literally bought this at the end of February after struggling with the price. Ugh!

[eileen]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Ugh! And I JUST bought the ORIGINAL Alpha Trak from American Diabetes Wholesale! I guess the other question will be will the freestyle lite strips work in the new Alpha Trak.

I think my head just exploded a little...

I mean how inaccurate are they talking about using the new strips in the old meter? I literally bought this at the end of February after struggling with the price. Ugh!

Kat, I asked Dr. Evans with Abbott this same question, his response was that altho the possibility is there it shouldn't be too far off, if it is at all.
He said the readings should still fall within the accepted guidelines.
He and I discussed how we watch trends and not so much the individual readings.

Hope this helps ease your mind, altho, I can certainly understand being upset if I had just laid out that money and a newer version soon appeared.

[CraigM]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Ugh! And I JUST bought the ORIGINAL Alpha Trak from American Diabetes Wholesale! I guess the other question will be will the freestyle lite strips work in the new Alpha Trak.

I think my head just exploded a little...

I mean how inaccurate are they talking about using the new strips in the old meter? I literally bought this at the end of February after struggling with the price. Ugh!

Think I'd phone Abbott. Who knows, they might replace your meter free. Don't think I'd mention the freestyle lite strips

[Kat Negron]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Well, I ended up sending a note to Abbott and to American Diabetes Wholesale, and within minutes I got an email back from American Diabetes Wholesale and they are going to give me a really big discount on buying a new one (I think they mentioned getting the kit), which is SO awesome. The representative I spoke with is Mike and he was SUPER friendly and understanding. I also let him know about the issues of the inaccuracies of the new strips in the old meter, which he hadn't heard but was glad to find out. I feel SO much better now!

Now, we'll see if Abbott ever writes back.

And sorry I've been so quiet on here! Not much to report (which is a good thing). Gigi has been hanging out between 150-250 for weeks now, which has made me a happy camper. She has days where she goes even lower (100) and so I'm basically holding steady at the dose we're at. Her skin infection has even completely healed!

[MaryLea]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Good to hear the report on your baby AND about the meter and strips. Good job!

Mary

[Kat Negron]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

Thanks Mary! And I'll be keeping the old Alpha Trak for backup...juuuuuust in case.

[eileen]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

For anyone interested, ADW (American Diabetes Wholesale) still has boxes of the 'old' style Alpha Trak test strips.
At some point in time they will no longer be available, be sure to check expiry dates if ordering a few.

http://search.americandiabeteswholes...s=alpha%20trak

[Kat Negron]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

And I ordered the Alpha Trak 2 at discount and some extra strips. So, I'll be pioneering the correlations between the new Alpha Trak meter and the Freestyle Lite strips and reporting my findings. Let the head exploding commence (once the new meter shows up)!

[eileen]

Re: Alpha Trak Meters, Both Older Style and the Alpha Trak 2

And I ordered the Alpha Trak 2 at discount and some extra strips. So, I'll be pioneering the correlations between the new Alpha Trak meter and the Freestyle Lite strips and reporting my findings. Let the head exploding commence (once the new meter shows up)!

If you have the older style Alpha Trak it would also be very informative to others to do some comparisons using that meter with the newer AT2 strips.

Will be watching for your reports with all.