Complete is the right word for this meter!
Written: Feb 07 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: large display, AAA batteries, 1,000 memory, insulin pump memory option, takes less blood
Cons: expensive for people without insurance, batteries die fast, only for finger tests.
The Bottom Line: The Accu-Chek Complete meter is like a "mini-computer" for blood sugar tests.
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| grayjessie's Full Review: Accu-Chek Complete |
Anyone who works for businesses that switch their insurance policies knows this routine all too well. I had been using the One Touch Profile meter for 4 years, and then my Dad's insurance changed their policy. The new policy didn't cover LifeScan meters, only Accu-Chek brand meters. So, I got switched to the Accu-Chek Complete meter. From what the insurance company told my parents, it was just like the One Touch Profile, but with more thrills.
As Mom and I were programming the Accu-Chek Complete meter, we noticed some really neat features that were not on my previous meter:
1. curved test strips that take a small drop of blood
2. 1,000 meter memory
3. carb counting recording section
4. even markings (fasting, illness, snack, ect.)
5. "Tip of the Day" at every blood sugar test
6. check battery section
7. insulin, insulin pump, and medication recording section
8. backlit display
9. code chip makes coding the meter very easy
I noticed that test with the Accu-Chek Complete meter was very easy to do. All I had to do was put the test strip in the meter, poke my finger with the lancing device (you get a SoftClix lancing device with the meter), and then touch the blood drop to the edge of the test strip. The blood is drawn into the strip until there is no more yellow showing on the strip. If I didn't get enough the first time, I could apply a second drop within 15 seconds to fill the rest of the strip (the meter beeps after 15 seconds to alert you not to apply any more blood). After approx. 30 seconds, I'd get my test results. During the test, a "Tip of the Day" runs across the bottom of the screen. The tips say stuff like "exercise makes you more fit" and "check your feet daily".
If you'd like, you can add an event marker after your test by pressing the button below the word "event". There are events like "fasting, before exercise, illness, feel hypo., and invallid test". You can add up to 4 event markers for each test. One good thing about the event markers is that if someone else uses your meter, you can put the "invallid test" event marker on the test after its done and it will not show up in the meter's memory/averages. This helps to avoid confusion later on.
As for the memory section of the Accu-Chek Complete meter, its very unique. You have a memory space for blood sugar tests, events, exercise, carbs., and insulin/medication info. All the areas are seperate, so they are neater and easier to look up for later reference. You also can look at different averages, trends and a graph for your blood sugar levels. I espeically loved the graph, because it shows how high and low I was over the past couple of days, without me having to browse through the glucose test memory space.
Finally, there is also a section to record results of urine ketone tests and A1c results.
There was only two problems I encountered when I used the Accu-Chek Complete meter. First, the batteries died faster, despite not using the backlight on the meter. With my other 2 previous meters, the batteries lasted for a couple of months. But, the batteries died within a month on the Accu-Chek Complete meter. This didn't bother me much until I started college and had to carry around a box of batteries everyday. Second, the Accu-Chek Complete isn't approved for use on alternative sites (arms, legs, base of thumb, ect.), so I had to use my fingers for blood tests all the time. This got annoying and sore after a while. After 4 and 1/2 years of using the Accu-Chek Complete, I switched over to the MediSense Sof-Tact meter, so I could test on my arms.
There is nothing wrong at all with the Accu-Chek Complete meter. Its an excellent meter that would be great for any diabetic (especially Type 1's). If your doctor recommends testing on your fingers and you want to actively manage your diabetes easily, then the Accu-Chek Complete meter is the best meter for that! I recommend it to any diabetic!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
grayjessie
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Reviews written: 56
Trusted by: 2 members
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