Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

[sophia]

Sorry to be dramatic, but I feel a bit worried. The past few days Sophia has had good readings, but late last night and today they have been low. Such as 80 and 83. We go to the vet Wednesday.

Is it possible my meter is not working? When I put the strip in it says 13. I tried to research this online and found nothing.

Thank you for any advice or insight.

[peeweek9]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

I'm not an expert, but here is what I would do....

Double check the coding on the bottle to see that it matches the coding when the strip is inserted.

Then, I would run a 'test' with the test solution that came with your kit/bottle.

Change the battery in the meter?

Hope this helps.

[sophia]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

Thank you. I changed the battery today and I sadly just used my last strip on her. The new won't arrive for a few days. I've never had trouble with the meter, but these numbers have me confused and worried. The 13 when I insert a strip do not match the code for dogs which is 6.

I'm not an expert, but here is what I would do....

Double check the coding on the bottle to see that it matches the coding when the strip is inserted.

Then, I would run a 'test' with the test solution that came with your kit/bottle.

Change the battery in the meter?

Hope this helps.

[peeweek9]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

Thank you. I changed the battery today and I sadly just used my last strip on her. The new won't arrive for a few days. I've never had trouble with the meter, but these numbers have me confused and worried. The 13 when I insert a strip do not match the code for dogs which is 6.

The meter should read '13' only if that was the code for the last bottle used. When the new strips come in, check the code on the bottle and change the meter to that code (for that bottle). Double check when inserting a new strip (you know how the numbers sort of go through a set-up). Then, do a 'test' with the test solution. Do you still have some test solution?

When you go to the vet on Wednesday, bring your AT2. Does your vet use the AT2? That would be a good opportunity to check your meter with his/hers. Just make sure your meter is set to their coding as well (many vets use the AT2).

It can be very confusing. I would think the battery would last a very, very long time so it was a long shot that it was a battery issue. It sounds like a coding error. But, it could also have been a bad (or outdated) strip?

Let us know.

Eileen

[sophia]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

Wow do I feel stupid. They aren't matching up and that's my problem. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention.

I'll have to look and find if I have the test solution. I don't store the meter in the little packet it came with.

I wish I could take it to the vet. This clinic wasn't even aware they had a meter for animals

I order the strips from American Diabetes Wholesale. I've been using it for about a year.

I'm curious to see how she reads at the vet.

The meter should read '13' only if that was the code for the last bottle used. When the new strips come in, check the code on the bottle and change the meter to that code (for that bottle). Double check when inserting a new strip (you know how the numbers sort of go through a set-up). Then, do a 'test' with the test solution. Do you still have some test solution?

When you go to the vet on Wednesday, bring your AT2. Does your vet use the AT2? That would be a good opportunity to check your meter with his/hers. Just make sure your meter is set to their coding as well (many vets use the AT2).

It can be very confusing. I would think the battery would last a very, very long time so it was a long shot that it was a battery issue. It sounds like a coding error. But, it could also have been a bad (or outdated) strip?

Let us know.

Eileen

[peeweek9]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

Never feel stupid! That is why this site is so great....we all look out for one another and no one here passes judgement....ever.

There is a cd that came with my meter that explains how to use the meter and there is a portion that goes over using the test strips. If you don't have it, it is likely on their site or you tube.

If you don't mind me asking....you stated your vet wasn't sure they had a meter for animals. Did I read that right? What do they use to test on site? My vet used the strips and many do, but some may use another method for clinic use.

Every bottle comes with its own code and so you can't mix strips....finish the bottle, open a new one and recode if necessary. All my bottles happened to be coded 36 or 37.... Can't remember for sure but others will chime in. Once, when learning to draw blood, i asked the vet to let me try testing Scooter in front of them, but the tech said to use my own strips with my meter as his were coded differently. That is the ONLY reason I knew the codes could be different.

Please let us know how things go....you are doing great....and remember, it is a big learning curve (no pun intended).

[CraigM]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

Sounds like your meter isn't coded to the vial of test strips. Do you remember how to change the meter to match the number on the vial of test strips?

It's pretty easy. Insert the test strip, compare the number that comes up on the display with the number for dogs on the vial. If the numbers don't match, press the button C to increase, button M to decrease (might have that backwards).

As mentioned, you need to compare the readings each time you use this meter because its possible to accidentally change the setting. Also, when you get new strips, there could be a different number on the vial. This is sort of old technology, many meters now set the code automatically, but not on the Alphatrak2.

Craig

[stylynjm]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

craig, there is a recall on lot #1358646 causing low readings!!!!

[sophia]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

New test strips arrived as did new control solution. New strips are reading correct at side of canister which says 6.

I still don't understand what reading I'm supposed to get with test solution.

Took Sophia to vet just to test and it was 180.

Thank you for telling me about recall. The new strips are not in that lot.

Well, peeweek9 after a year of thinking I knew what I was doing, I didn't. And you know this week at the vet I discussed more about home testing. I should have asked more what they use to test the dogs. They draw the blood and I'm sure have to test with their own strips in some way. A gentleman came into the clinic this week and wanted to learn how to test at home, but they told him it wasn't a good idea. The technician told me this. I was thinking of calling back and if he wanted to meet me at the clinic I could teach him. Well at least the bit that I do know. lol After this fiasco, I'm not sure I should. But I hate knowing someone locally wanted to learn and the clinic told him no.

[sophia]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

What meter do you use? Is there a more modern meter for canines? It's working now with new strips, but last time was the first time it did not really pick up number on vial. And I was remiss to pick up on them matching .

Sounds like your meter isn't coded to the vial of test strips. Do you remember how to change the meter to match the number on the vial of test strips?

It's pretty easy. Insert the test strip, compare the number that comes up on the display with the number for dogs on the vial. If the numbers don't match, press the button C to increase, button M to decrease (might have that backwards).

As mentioned, you need to compare the readings each time you use this meter because its possible to accidentally change the setting. Also, when you get new strips, there could be a different number on the vial. This is sort of old technology, many meters now set the code automatically, but not on the Alphatrak2.

Craig

[CraigM]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

What meter do you use? Is there a more modern meter for canines? It's working now with new strips, but last time was the first time it did not really pick up number on vial. And I was remiss to pick up on them matching .

I use a bunch of different meters for the fun of it. The AlphaTrak2 is the meter I use if I have concerns about the other meters.

You had asked about using test solution. Basically, use the test solution in the place of blood (squeeze the bottle gently to get a drop on the tip). Compare the meter reading to the control solution range printed on the strip vial (extremely small print). My vial states if the meter was set for dogs the reading should be between 111-205. This range probably changes with different vials on test strips.

The AlphaTrak requires manual setting of the "code" I've had AlphaTrak test strips with 5, 6 and 35 codes and have to use the buttons on the front of the meter to set the code for the vial of strips that is being used. Many human meters set the code for you, but not the AlphaTrak.

You are using the AlphaTrak2, purple in color, right?

Craig

[sophia]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

Yes, I have the purple AlphaTrak 2. Maybe my head wasn't in the right place, but before this previous batch of strips, I always made sure they matched or it matched right away. The new strips are matching and I check each time when inserting.

My local vet told me last year not to take her blood too often. I listened for a while, but now I'm back into taking it at least a few times a week. Well you have a great set up going. And you know when something is wrong and can test with another.

For the first time in months I took Sophia's curve today. It has me puzzled which then makes me think the meter isn't working. Her blood sugar is more normal after the insulin is wearing off. At least it seems that way to me:

1:30 AM - 385

7:20 AM - 252 (4 units with her breakfast)

9:00 AM - 320

11:00 AM - 237

1:00 PM - 230

3:00 PM 220

5.00 PM 162

(6:30 pm = feeding and 2 units)

7:00 PM 158

9:00 PM 191

11:00 PM 367

The meter is about a year old.

I use a bunch of different meters for the fun of it. The AlphaTrak2 is the meter I use if I have concerns about the other meters.

You had asked about using test solution. Basically, use the test solution in the place of blood (squeeze the bottle gently to get a drop on the tip). Compare the meter reading to the control solution range printed on the strip vial (extremely small print). My vial states if the meter was set for dogs the reading should be between 111-205. This range probably changes with different vials on test strips.

The AlphaTrak requires manual setting of the "code" I've had AlphaTrak test strips with 5, 6 and 35 codes and have to use the buttons on the front of the meter to set the code for the vial of strips that is being used. Many human meters set the code for you, but not the AlphaTrak.

You are using the AlphaTrak2, purple in color, right?

Craig

[amydunn19]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

I don' know that it is the meter - it may just be her. I know many people on here have dogs that once the insulin runs out, their dogs go high. My dog seems to be opposite to this. If I don't feed her a good snack at noon, she drops steadily through the day and may experience her low at the end of the day. She rarely is low in the morning but she can be low at noon and evenings on a regular basis without her extra meal.

I am curious though - I just noticed the difference in her dosage from morning to night. I am sure there is a reason for the difference. My dog is on different doses day and night but it is only a half unit difference. We do 2 1/2 in the morning and 3 at night. A two unit difference would be a huge one for my girl, who is 15 lbs. Do you think getting those doses closer together (in volume) might help? Like 3 units morning and 2 units night or another adjustment? I didn't go back and read your thread but that is the first thing that struck me so if you have already addressed this, my apologies.

[jesse girl]

Re: Worried my AlphaTrak 2 is not working and giving me low readings

the readings look consistent so i think your meter is working properly