alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

[maggiegirl]

I have been using the alpha trak since Maggie was diagnosed with diabetes in September.
After reading here about the pet test meters and how good they were and the lower
Cost I sent for one and compared the results. They were not even close so I had pet test
Send me a replacement figuring I got a bad one. Still not even close so I sent it back again. Fast forward and still hearing how many people have switched so I ordered one again. Differences are as follows

. Alpha trak. PetTest
1/7. 11:06p. 398. 399
1/8. 10:35a. 125. 138
10:40p. 194. 214
1/9. 10:30a. 173. 238 *
10:22p. 216. 240
1/10. 11:16a. 209. 209
11:01p. 263. 182*
Are these numbers close enough to be safe to switch to PetTest? A couple of tests are
Quite different and seem like a big enough difference to cause a problem. This meter
Is much better than the others so maybe they weren't good.
I really would appreciate some input because the pet test strips are much more
Affordable but I don't want to put my girl at risk for a few dollars.
Thanks anyone who can give me some help here before I decide to order more strips for the PetTest. Please, if you have compared these help me out.

[tonyr]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

Hi maggiegirl,
Seeing you have both meters I have a interesting proposition for you to try.
You have probably read some posts concerning using Freestyle Lite strips in your AlphaTrack .
The way this is done is you use your Alphatrack set as normal for its strips on the Test solution that comes with the meter.
After that you reset the meter to say code 36 and using a Lite strip redo the same test with the Test solution.
You can also try setting the code to 5 or 6 and repeat again with the Lite strip and Test solution.
Whichever Number with the Lite strip comes closest to your AlphaTrack and its own strip reading then use that number for comparing all 3 situations in a new comparison.

I know its a bit of a faffle changing codes and swithing meters but it would be interesting to see the results.
We can buy the Lite strips dirt cheap here in the U.K on Ebay but that may not be the same where you are.
What do you think ?.
I would do it but we do not have the Pet Test here in the U.K so I cannot try this out.
The most meaningful test would cover your dogs blood at it's Highest, Lowest and Midrange.

[MomofGus]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

Hello. I am one of those who have converted over to the Pettest meter, mostly due to cost of the Alphatrak strips. I have been using it since August as my main meter. My comparisons were similar to yours and in my mind, close enough for monitoring my boys BG levels. I only use the Alphatrak now if I get an unusual high or low number that I feel could be wrong, or as a periodic spot check. I keep a spreadsheet of his readings, and color code it so that it's easy to see the pattern.

I generally test my dog 3 times a day because it was taking so long to be regulated and I just felt it was important. The Alphatrak strips were certainly adding up in costs when testing as often. We are to the point now that based on his morning reading whether I would test mid-day or not. I know his pattern now on high's and lows. I don't feel as bad testing since I've cut the costs in half (or more) with the Advocate Pettest.

I do not regret switching to the Pettest meter at all. The cost savings has really helped with the expense. I ordered a spare meter to have on hand in case the one I have goes bad.

[jesse girl]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

I would say the numbers are good to go and quite consistent . We dont know how exact the alpha trak meter is as with all handhelds. they are not exact and trying to get your mind there may drive you a bit batty

I have used a human meter for almost 7 years no conversions or play around with the numbers. did a comparison with a lab analyzer in the beginning with another human meter and compared it to that human meter and other human meters including the one touch ultra and relion meters and for me its reads consistent and numbers make sense

Are they exact ? i cant say but i do know she has not had a hypo event ( knock on wood ) and does not show any symptoms of high sugar .

another aspect is if numbers go below a 100 early in a diagnosis and maybe below 80 with some time in the meter tells you to boost that sugar up and get ahead of the game before symptoms show of low sugar

this is what meters do tells you patterns and trends . let you know if things are to low or quite high but stay away from thinking these numbers are absolute .if the numbers makes sense and seem consistent select a meter and stick with it . If it seems to go out of whack with some strange numbers compare it with another or a vet analyzer . i have used the same human meter for the last 6 years but i have done a recent comparison with the one touch ultra which compared well with 50 strips

[maggiegirl]

Re: alpha trak versus pet test (advocate)meters please advise

Thanks for your input on these two meters. I think they are pretty good numbers and I am going to order the pet test strips and switch and check if a number seems too high or too low. We are not doing too bad most of the time but every once in a while you get the big change. This morning after 264 alpha trak, 182 pet test last night came a low 89.
I ran out of pet test strips last night so couldn't compare both for the low number. I
Think I want to do that. I think I will check out the other strips with the alpha trak as well.
Thank you for the help, I am still learning about this. I do a summary each day and keep track of date, reading, (color coded for low or high), how many units each day, difference
From prior reading and meal given( also coded by number). I am looking for patterns but
Every now and then the big surprise. Also reading everything I can to see if I can tweak the diet. Home cooked; not commercial.
. Thanks again.

[tonyr]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

There are 4 boxes of 50 Freestyle Lite strips right now on ebay.co.uk for £42 plus £3 postage, so 200 strips for £45 to buy now.
Now the cheapest I can buy the AlphaTrack strips are for £40 for 50, so quite a difference for me here in Cornwall.
So let me know what are the same strip prices are for you, that would also have to include the Pet Test ones as well for a full comparison for your costs
I think i read somewhere that the Pet Test have recently gone up in price?, maybe not the bargain they once was.

[MomofGus]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

I think i read somewhere that the Pet Test have recently gone up in price?, maybe not the bargain they once was.

Yes, on Amazon in the U.S, they have gone up from $18 to $23.95 for 50 strips. But that is still less than half the price of Alphatrak strips - $55.95. The price changes regularly. It was $23.95 2 weeks ago, then I checked after I had ordered and they were listed as $18 again, and now showing $23.95. So, now I order in larger quantities instead of just a box at a time.

[tonyr]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

Yes, on Amazon in the U.S, they have gone up from $18 to $23.95 for 50 strips. But that is still less than half the price of Alphatrak strips - $55.95. The price changes regularly. It was $23.95 2 weeks ago, then I checked after I had ordered and they were listed as $18 again, and now showing $23.95. So, now I order in larger quantities instead of just a box at a time.

Hi MomofGus,
How do the Pet Test strips compare to the Lite strips in price where you are,
as I have said they are dirt cheap here and I find them No Different to the AlpaTrack strips in the AlphaTrack meter, providing you bother to find the correct code to use first.
If you buy them in bulk you you will only have to do this once for each batch number.
I have paid as low as £3.50 for 50 strips delivered once.

[MomofGus]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

Hi MomofGus,
How do the Pet Test strips compare to the Lite strips in price where you are,
as I have said they are dirt cheap here and I find them No Different to the AlpaTrack strips in the AlphaTrack meter, providing you bother to find the correct code to use first.
If you buy them in bulk you you will only have to do this once for each batch number.
I have paid as low as £3.50 for 50 strips delivered once.

Hi, TonyR - in looking on Amazon just now, I see the Freestyle Lite for $30 for 50 and on up (100 for $63). And, looks like the lower costs come from another country, such as India. I would be afraid of quality.

[tonyr]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

Hi, TonyR - in looking on Amazon just now, I see the Freestyle Lite for $30 for 50 and on up (100 for $63). And, looks like the lower costs come from another country, such as India. I would be afraid of quality.

Hi,
I would look on your ebay and not Amazon for best prices.
As they are not a High Tech item I would not worry about where they are made, they will be identical.
i have bought some strips made in Ireland eek and they worked.
You might have a greater demand than here in the U.K, we are all too poor and starving to get Diabetes hence they give them away.

[tonyr]

Re: alpha trak versus perfect meters please advise

Here is 12 boxes (600) strips for $214.93 + shipping $11.31 on ebay USA.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Freestyle-Li...wAAOSw8gVX8rTZ