Wrong Test Strips Code When Testing

[glevert]

My son is using the FreeStyle glucometer and test strips.
This morning I found out that he tested himself using the wrong code. THe glucometer was set at 25, but the strips were code 17.

What is the real difference? Is the result way off or is it giving me a minor differential? I understand that it needs to be the right code and 99% of the time it is but I am just curious to understand how much the code affects the results.

Thanks
Guy

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Hi, this is a great question.  Test strips may vary from batch to batch, some models require the user to enter in a code, but not all do.  The code means the meter will be calibrated to that batch of test strips.  Not having the right code will mean your result may be a little off, because of the calibration differences.  So that is the difference, just how the strip is calibrated against the meter.

[glevert]

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate it very much.

Part of my question was also of the nature of: "how much OFF will be the measurement if my code is not correct". That is to say, what is the actual variation - for example, if I would have had the right code (17) instead of 25, would my son's reading be much different? This morning he had a low at 2.9, would it have been lower, by how much, or higher, by how much.

Thanks again.
Guy

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

Guy, I looked for that answer, and I haven't been able to find any definite value yet.  I'll keep digging.

[glevert]

Thanks!
I called the company (http://www.abbottdiabetescare.ca/FreeStyleTechnology/index.aspx) support line and they could'nt help me either.
The person I talked to could only tell me that it makes a difference, but not of how much of a difference.

Here's a proposal... I am assuming that the reaction happening in the strips must be tested on batches produced at the manufacture. Based on the strips' conductivity I am guessing that the strips are given a code representative of their characteristics. Characteristics of test strips are probably different because of the micro-conditions they are produced in, including heat, viscosity, capillary action efficiency, quality of metals used, etc... I may sound smart but I don't really know what I am talking about! :)

Why are there different codes? Why not all have the same code for a specific brand?

Guy

[glevert]

Thanks!
I called the company (http://www.abbottdiabetescare.ca/FreeStyleTechnology/index.aspx) support line and they could'nt help me either.
The person I talked to could only tell me that it makes a difference, but not of how much of a difference.

Here's a proposal... I am assuming that the reaction happening in the strips must be tested on batches produced at the manufacture. Based on the strips' conductivity I am guessing that the strips are given a code representative of their characteristics. Characteristics of test strips are probably different because of the micro-conditions they are produced in, including heat, viscosity, capillary action efficiency, quality of metals used, etc... I may sound smart but I don't really know what I am talking about! :)

Why are there different codes? Why not all have the same code for a specific brand?

Guy

[JDRF-VOL-RL]

I've wondered the same thing.  We use the BD meter that talks to our daughter's MiniMed pump, and we've only used two codes now in almost a year.  The codes only recently changed, so it makes we wonder why the Ultra meters change codes with every box.  I don't get it, either, because you have to figure that their manufacturing process should be the same, regardless of the plant they are produced in.

[NoSugarTillBrooklyn]

Hi!

I think I have your answer:  I've got a moniter of my own, and I've always wondered the same thing.  Coincidentally (honest!) the strips I have right now are code 17, so I checked my sugar twice, one right after the other: the first time, setting the meter's code to 17, the second time setting the code to 25.

Results:
Code 17: 121 mg/dl
Code 25: 131 mg/dl

Take Care!
-Jill

[NoSugarTillBrooklyn]

Sorry!  Typo:

Correction:
Code 25 - 113 mg/dl