What's the point of control solution?

What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
of sticks?

I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
none in stock. They're ordering some.

Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?
--
BessieBee

"OK, so what's the speed of dark?"
Steven Wright

BessieBee wrote:
> What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
> implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
> of sticks?
>
> I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
> of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
> story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
> prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
> Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
> when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
> sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
> solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
> none in stock. They're ordering some.
>
> Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?
=============================
The control solution will verify that your
meter is accurate with the current strips
you are using.

I'm not making a recommendation but
personally...I wouldn't use the control solution
unless I was getting uncommon readings just
after beginning on a new box of sticks.

--

John Inzer

"John Inzer" <oobie@doobie.xyz> wrote in message
news:6cydnXU54qToiS3bnZ2dnUVZ_hynnZ2d@comcast.com. ..

> =============================
> The control solution will verify that your
> meter is accurate with the current strips
> you are using.
>
> I'm not making a recommendation but
> personally...I wouldn't use the control solution
> unless I was getting uncommon readings just
> after beginning on a new box of sticks.

I rarely ever use mine. Certainly not when opening a new box. I only use
it if I'm getting wacky readings that I can't otherwise explain.

Julie Bove wrote:
> I rarely ever use mine. Certainly not when opening a new box. I
> only use it if I'm getting wacky readings that I can't otherwise
> explain.
===============================
Absolutely! That's what I was trying to say.

--

John Inzer

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:55:09 GMT, BessieBee
<BessieBee@I_dont_smoke_anymore.com> wrote:

>What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
>implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
>of sticks?
>
>I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
>of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
>story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
>prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
>Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
>when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
>sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
>solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
>none in stock. They're ordering some.
>
>Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?

Do what you wish. I've used control solution 3 times in well
over 100 boxes of strips. Each time the meter passed, but
the range of tolerance on the test was so wide I felt it was
a waste of time.

The one time I had a bad bunch of strips (on accuracy) the
difference was so obvious there was little need to use
solution.


Cheers, Alan, T2, Australia.
d&e, metformin 1500mg, ezetrol 10mg
Everything in Moderation - Except Laughter.
--
http://loraltraveloz.blogspot.com/
latest: Mossman Gorge in the Daintree Rainforest
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/
latest: Self-Testing and Type 2 Management

BessieBee <BessieBee@I_dont_smoke_anymore.com> wrote:

>What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
>implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
>of sticks?

Alan is absolutely right.

As meters are very reliable, checking them with control solution on a
regular basis is a waste of money. Moreover the recommended tolerance
of the test readings exceeds the actual accuracy of the meters by a
wide margin. If you have a backup meter, and you should always have
one, at best from a different manufacturer, why not compare the
results of both when you get dubious readings. Only if there are
relevant discrepancies, which happens very rarely, you have to
investigate into the reasons, in that case maybe using the control
solution.

We use an OTU2/OTUS and, mainly for blood ketone tests, a Precision
Xtra. The differences between those two systems are marginal.

Kind regards

Michael

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:55:09 +0000, BessieBee wrote:

> What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
> implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
> of sticks?

The point of the control solution is to check to see if your meter is
operating within specs. Generally, it is invoked when you call the mfr to
complain about your meter. They will tell you to ruin a test strip with
control solution and report the results. If the numbers are between the
limits printed on the solution, then the meter is functioning perfectly.
Please note that if you do the math - the numbers printed are generally
about +-15% from the midpoint. The implications of not checking with the
solution when opening a new box is that you have just saved one test strip.

>
> I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
> of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
> story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
> prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
> Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
> when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
> sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
> solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
> none in stock. They're ordering some.
>
> Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?

No. I've not done that in two years.

John Inzer wrote in message ...
>Julie Bove wrote:
>> I rarely ever use mine. Certainly not when opening a new box. I
>> only use it if I'm getting wacky readings that I can't otherwise
>> explain.
>===============================
>Absolutely! That's what I was trying to say.
>
>--
>
>John Inzer

Me too.

Cheri

BessieBee, I dont use the control solution very often, but when my
numbers dont see right, either too low or too high, I will use the
control solution to see if it shows that they are in the right range.

They want everyone to test every new box they use. I only use it when I
get a new batch with the same coding number.

Loretta

BessieBee wrote:
> What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
> implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
> of sticks?
>
> I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
> of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
> story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
> prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
> Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
> when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
> sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
> solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
> none in stock. They're ordering some.
>
> Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?
> --
> BessieBee
>
> "OK, so what's the speed of dark?"
> Steven Wright
I've never tested a new box of strips just cause. I've only used my
control solution twice. Both times were when I first got my meter, and
despite at least two FBG's over 125, was not officially a diabetic yet.
I used it when I first tested over 300, because I was shocked to be that
high. (this was when the NP I was seeing at the endo had told me eat
what I usually do, not worry about carbs, so we could see how my body
responded to my diet. This was also after I had eaten some quite yummy
watermelon, and in the first three days of testing. After I called and
told her of my numbers, she said I'd better start watching carbs etc.,
except for the three days prior to the OGTT where I had to eat 160-200gm
carbs..) The other time was before this, when I tested at 57. I had
had a decent breakfast, and should not have been low. It very much
surprised me, and I tested with the control solution to make sure my
meter was working. I was new to all this. Both times, my meter read
126, smack dab in the middle of the allowance! (the first couple of
weeks I was testing, my BG was doing funny things. I only went below
sixty that one time,but I was sometimes in the high sixties upon waking.
I was on no meds (not an official diabetic yet) so that surprised me. I
went as high as 317 once, spent a lot of time in the 180-200 range, and
spent a lot of time in the 70-100 range as well. It totally confused me!

Emily

Emily

Loretta Eisenberg <sassybklynlady@webtv.net> wrote:
: BessieBee, I dont use the control solution very often, but when my
: numbers dont see right, either too low or too high, I will use the
: control solution to see if it shows that they are in the right range.

: They want everyone to test every new box they use. I only use it when I
: get a new batch with the same coding number.

: Loretta

And doesn't that help increase sales? I guess they figured we would never
find out.

Wendy

On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:55:09 GMT, BessieBee
<BessieBee@I_dont_smoke_anymore.com> wrote:

>What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
>implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
>of sticks?
>
>I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
>of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
>story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
>prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
>Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
>when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
>sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
>solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
>none in stock. They're ordering some.
>
>Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?

Not an answer (I agree with the others: I rarely use the stuff), but
doesn't it have a limited life? AIUI it's a solution of glucose, and
as such is prone to degradation by yeasts and bacteria, so should be
stored in the fridge and replaced after a certain time. What that time
is, I've no idea, but a guess would be a couple of months at most.

Or does it have a preservative included?


--
Chris

E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net

That would be for people living in a CONDOMinium, wouldn't it ?


"Chris Hogg" <me@privacy.net> a écrit ...
> On Wed, 01 Aug 2007 04:55:09 GMT, BessieBee
> <BessieBee@I_dont_smoke_anymore.com> wrote:
>
>>What's the point of control solution for a meter? What are the
>>implications of not checking with the solution when opening a new box
>>of sticks?
>>
>>I used an Ascensia Contour for awhile and it doesn't require any type
>>of code testing. I'm now using a Freestyle Flash and it does. Long
>>story, but I just got a month's supply of sticks through a
>>prescription and found that the control solution I had for the
>>Freestyle was way out of date. (I'd gotten the meter a long time ago
>>when it was free after in-store rebate. I'd long since used the 10
>>sticks that came with it) According to my pharmacy the control
>>solution is not covered by insurance (sticks, etc. are) and they had
>>none in stock. They're ordering some.
>>
>>Do I really need to check the meter every time I open a box of sticks?
>
> Not an answer (I agree with the others: I rarely use the stuff), but
> doesn't it have a limited life? AIUI it's a solution of glucose, and
> as such is prone to degradation by yeasts and bacteria, so should be
> stored in the fridge and replaced after a certain time. What that time
> is, I've no idea, but a guess would be a couple of months at most.
>
> Or does it have a preservative included?
>
>
> --
> Chris
>
> E-mail: christopher[dot]hogg[at]virgin[dot]net

" Frank t2" <a@b.c> wrote:

>"Chris Hogg" <me@privacy.net> a écrit ...

>> Or does it have a preservative included?

>That would be for people living in a CONDOMinium, wouldn't it ?

.... but we USAnians would like 'conservative' to be the apt term.

Charly