Questions about coding on AlphaTrak strips

[silkiegal]

After reading my home test numbers to my vet from my Relion meter, she said they are still way too high, and off. At 7 units and 17 lbs, Silkie should be doing better and be at the theraputic level. Anyway, she wants me to get the Alpha Trak, if I am home testing. she said it is the one she uses at the vet, and most vets use. The "standard" for vets.

So, Where is the cheapest place to buy? and strips? can I use cheaper strips?

Thanks!
Silkiegal

[CraigM]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Several of us are using FreeStyle LITE (note LITE) strips in our AlphaTraks. You might want to use both Alphatrak and FreeStyle LITE strips for a few tests to confirm the readings are close. I order my FreeStyle LITE strips from Amazon.com, but I'm sure there are other places to get a good price.

Once you get your meter, give a post and tell us what "code" number is on your package of Alphatrak strips. There seems to be a different "code" for dogs in the past month or so.

[HarrysMom]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Craig,
My AlphTrak strips have been coming with "6" code, not "7."

Yunhee

[Bichonluver3]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Mine read 6 also. Look on the side of the container. That is the number you use as your code.

[pat3332]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

This has turned into the AlphaTrak can of worms.

I have the AlphaTrak and mine has always been within 10 of my vet's blood analyzer and within 1-2 of his AlphaTrak, so I consider mine pretty accurate. Others have AlphaTrak's that apparently aren't that accurate. I think it's like any other meter, no two brands and models of meters are going to read the same. My AlphaTrak even reads differently if I use two different test strips to test the same site within 30 seconds.

Best place to get it? I got mine from my vet and he got it for me and let me have it at his cost, so you might check with your vet first. Other than that, I would do an internet search. The best price I've seen on the internet is at ADW. http://www.americandiabeteswholesale...=143&fltrdesc= Someone else may know of a place with better prices. The one for 216.00, sounds expensive, but it comes with an extra 50 test strips, so it's really not bad. The one for 165.00 comes with 50 test strips and is close to what I paid the vet for mine. ADW is where I get my test strips.

The AlphaTrak and FreeStyle Lite are both made my Abbott and you can use the FreeStyle Lite test strips with the AlphaTrak. They are much less expensive and some people get very good results with them, even though they haven't worked that well for me. That doesn't mean they won't work for you. I checked at Sam's and the FSL test strips there were about 55.00, which is more than I pay for the AlphaTrak strips I get at ADW. The FSL strips through ADW are about 27.00 however, so it may be worth trying them and comparing them to the results you get with the AlphaTrak test strips. They may work fine for you.

The AlphaTrak is a very nice meter for dogs, but the meter and test strips are much more expensive than a lot of the human meters you can get.

Hope that helps a little. I'm not sure why your vet is insisting on the AlphaTrak, but if she wants to sell it to you, compare prices first.

Pat

[pat3332]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

This is getting a little confusing. I have 4 containers of AlphaTrak test strips and they all are coded Dog 7, Cat 11. Where are you getting your test strips from? It's too late now, but I may try to call Abbott tomorrow if I have time before work.

Wanted to add that the expiration dates on mine are 03/2012.

Pat

[HarrysMom]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

I buy online (mostly Amazon) - I have some coded 7 and others 6. Weird. In general, I got more erratic readings from ones coded 7 than 6.

Yunhee

[CraigM]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

OK, so looks like "new" AlphaTrak strips are coming coded 6 instead of 7. Think they had been coded 7 for several years.

Have either of you run comparisons between the AlphaTrak (AT) and FreeStyle LITE (FSL) strips? My tests have only been with the old (code 7) AT strips. I have the meter set to 7 for both the old AT strip, and the FSL strips. The test that needs to be run is the new AT "6" strip against the FSL strips with the meter set to both 6 and 7. I'm thinking the meter needs to be set to 7 when using FSL strips, but not sure.

Another interesting test would be to use FSL control test solution and FSL strips with the AlphaTrak meter set to 6 and 7.

I think I'll call my vet in the morning and see if he has the new AT strips. I'll also hunt around for FSL control test solution and do some testing.

Poor Annie, time for her to become a test subject. She likes the attention (sure )

[eileen]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

If ordering thru americandiabeteswholesale use code ADWF575 for free shipping with an order of $75.00 or more OR code ADW0550 for $5.00 off any order over $50.00.

[silkiegal]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Hi Pat,

Thanks for all that info. My vet is not insisting on buying the AT, she is suggesting it to save me $$$. If I go to the vet to do a curve or BG, it costs $$. And she uses the same AT!!! She says that is what they use. So she is trying to help. I found the meter and 50 strips for $143.98 delivered at ADW. Thanks!

Hope that helps a little. I'm not sure why your vet is insisting on the AlphaTrak, but if she wants to sell it to you, compare prices first.

Pat

[HarrysMom]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

A question on AlphTrak strips.
I just started a new batch - ran the test solution, and it tested at 185 (the high limit for dogs). What does this mean? Does this mean that this batch will run high?

Yunhee

[peggy0]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

As long as it tests within the range, the actual bg reading of the dog will be 'accurate'. Its just letting you know that the meter is acting as planned.

[abbeyroad]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Thought I might as well jump into the AlphaTrak debate. I purchased mine about 4 weeks ago from Amazon. the test strips that came with it were coded 6. I am brand new to all of this but I was wasting so many strips. I could NOT get them to read on the meter. I had more than an adequate size sample. I called Abbott labs and spoke with a veterinarian. He was terrific. Long store short, he told me how to "clean" my meter. If a small particle of blood, or dirt or anything could get in the machine it will make it difficult to read. he also said that even a tiny shaving of something in the factory could cause problems. Anyway, i believe I had a bad batch of strips. Abbott sent me a brand new vial of 50 gratis. I have not wasted one of them. They are also CODED 6. I also just purchased from American Diabetes and with a coupon, etc. I got 2 boxes for around 95.00 including shipping so less than 50.00 a box.

I tried the freestyle lites in my Alpha Trac set to 6 and they read about 100 points lower. I have not yet tried them with the Alpha Trak set at 7 because Abbey is a nightmare to test. I am lucky to get the one test I need before she starts flying around.

I do trust the Alpha Trak, atleast the customer support is unbelievable. The vet at Abbott has taken so much time with me about diabetes in general.
The support alone specific to dogs is worth the price I believe.

Good luck with your unit.
Mary Jo

[pat3332]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Hi Mary Jo,

Thanks for the information. Would you mind sharing the information about how to "clean" your meter? It might be useful to know.

Craig, you sound like you enjoy experimenting with this stuff as much as I do. Fortunately Bailey doesn't mind being my guinea pig as long as he gets a little piece of jerky or chicken for putting up with it.

I'm glad you all brought this up or I might have missed it if I get some test strips coded 6.

Thanks

Pat

[pat3332]

Re: Buying Alpha Track..need advice before!

Hi Silkiegal,

Sorry I misunderstood that part about your vet.

You got a pretty good deal on your AlphaTrak, That's about what I paid. ADW also has the best prices on the AlphaTrak test strips that I've found.

Eileen, I didn't know about those codes. Are those same codes good all of the time, or do they change? That would save me $5.00 on each purchase. I usually get the 100 test strips for about $100.00 so I get the free shipping anyway.

Thanks

Pat