Sorry! Typo:
Correction:
Code 25 - 113 mg/dl
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
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.
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
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
Guy, I looked for that answer, and I haven't been able to find any definite value yet. I'll keep digging.
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
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.