Glucose Readings -- Doing It the FreeStyle Way
Written: Oct 04 '03 (Updated Jun 07 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to use; virtually painless; memory holds 250 test results; comes with carrying case.
Cons: Monitor turns off after 2 minutes idle; test quickly. Expensive if not covered by insurance.
The Bottom Line: We would buy this monitor even if it wasn't covered by insurance.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Therasense Freestyle Blood Glucose Monitoring Syst... |
My father was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes a month ago. He had complete blood work done within the last six months, so it came as a shock that his glucose reading was over 350. According to healthcare professionals, the normal range is between 80-120. To complicate matters, my father suffers from high blood pressure and cholesterol. So it was imperative that we monitor my father’s glucose levels.
What the Doctor Recommended
The doctor prescribed that my father treat his diabetes with a combination of a controlled diet and medication in the form of a pill (Glucophage). The doctor also stressed that he wanted my dad’s glucose reading at 120 or a bit lower. So along with the medication, the doctor wrote three prescriptions: 1) FreeStyle Blood Glucose Monitoring System, 2) FreeStyle Test Strips, 3) FreeStyle Lancets. My dad’s insurance covered the full cost of the FreeStyle Monitor, which had a price tag of $74.99.
What the Box Contains
* FreeStyle Blood Glucose Meter with 2 Batteries (size: AAAA)
* 10 FreeStyle Test Strips
* FreeStyle Lancing Device with 2 Caps
* 10 Sterile FreeStyle Lancets
* FreeStyle Control Solution
* Compact Carrying Case (black)
* 8-month Personal Logbook
* Step-by-Step Owner’s Booklet (64 pages)
* Getting Started Guide
* Quick Reference Guide
* Warranty/Registration Card
* Option to receive a free instructional video
How Easy Is It to Use?
Very. A nurse showed my father how to take a glucose reading, but not with the FreeStyle monitor. My dad was unsure about what to do using his new piece of equipment. I read the instruction booklet and did the first few glucose tests with him. It wasn’t long before he was doing it himself. The procedure is quick, relatively painless, and it is easy to read the results from the monitor. The glucose level usually displays within 5 to 10 seconds. My dad logs his daily readings into a Log Book and reports his readings to the doctor every week.
Calibrating the Monitor
The FreeStyle monitor comes with a small bottle of Control Solution, which is a red liquid containing a measured amount of glucose. This Control Solution does the following: 1) Allows the user to practice using the monitor without experimenting with blood, 2) Assures that the user is correctly performing the glucose test, 3) Confirms that the monitor and test strips are working together to obtain correct results.
To perform the calibration test, make sure the monitor is set for the correct Test Strip Code Number, which is written on the Test Strip container. Then insert a Test Strip into the monitor with the end of the Test Strip printed with the two dark half moons facing outward. The meter turns on. Open the bottle of Control Solution and squeeze a drop onto the side of the Test Strip near one of the half-moon shapes. The meter beeps and returns the glucose level number. This number should fall within the range printed on the Test Strip container. Our FreeStyle monitor showed the correct calibration. There are directions in the manual if the results don’t fall within accepted parameters.
Note that once the bottle of Control Solution is opened that it only has a shelf-life of three months. After that time, the solution is unreliable and must be discarded.
Using the Monitor
One of the advantages of using the FreeStyle monitoring system is that the user has the option of collecting a blood sample from the fingertips, hands, forearms, upper arms, thighs, or calves. My dad was taught how to collect blood from his fingertips, and he is nervous to try a forearm reading. The doctor assured him that a forearm reading would be fine, and I hope to soon convince my dad that it’s a viable alternative to pricking his fingertips. Collecting blood from the forearm, from everything I’ve heard, is less painful than repeatedly testing the fingertips.
The Lancing Device comes with two different caps. The blue-colored cap is used when pricking the fingertip. A clear-colored cap is used to collect blood from the forearm.
The Lance also has five needle positions, Level One being the shallowest and Level Five the deepest. It may take a few tries to determine which Level is best for you. The default setting is Level Three.
Fingertip Testing
Remove the cap from the Lance. Insert a lance into the white holder until it is firmly seated, then twist the rounded end off. This reveals the small needle. Replace the blue cap without touching the needle. Cock the handle of the Lancing Device. Touch the device to the side of a finger and press the release button. Gently squeeze the finger to draw forth a drop of blood. Insert a Test Strip into the meter so that the dark half moons on the Test Strip are visible. Touch one of the half moons to the blood droplet. The monitor will beep when the sample is accepted. A line moves clockwise on the display, then two more beeps sound, and the monitor displays the glucose level. Write the numeric reading in the Log Book. Remove the used lancet from the device and pull the used Test Strip from the meter.
Forearm Testing
This is very similar to how the fingertip is tested. Instead of a blue cap, make sure to use the clear cap. Hold the cap against the top of the forearm and press the release button. Do not lift the device. Hold the Lancing Device and gradually increase the pressure against the forearm, looking through the clear cap until a blood droplet the size of a pinhead appears. Lift the Lancing Device straight up, being careful not to smear the blood sample on the arm. Insert a Test Strip into the FreeStyle monitor and continue with the test as described above.
Setting Up and Reading the Monitor
When the monitor turns on, four display screens appear.
1. The monitor runs through a system check.
2. The date and time appear at the bottom of the screen.
3. The code number appears, which should match the code number on the Test Strips.
4. The Blood Drop and Test Strip Symbols appear indicating it’s okay to test.
There are two buttons on the monitor: “C” and “M”. Press the “M” button to maneuver through the set-up screens such as the sound level (the beep), date, time, and unit of measurement. Press the “C” button to change settings within a set-up screen.
Sound – Three sound levels are available: Off, Low, High. High is the default volume.
Time – Set the hour and minute. Also set the time format: 12-hour (AM/PM) or 24-hour (00:00-23:59).
Date – Set the month, day and year. Select the format: month-day-year or day-month-year.
Unit of Measurement – Choose either milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
Software Version Number – For display only. If you call Customer Service, they may ask you to provide the Software Version Number.
Meter Memory
The FreeStyle monitor holds a 14-day average, which includes an average taken from all the readings from the last 14 days. The meter also stores the last 250 test readings with their date and time. It is easy to scroll through all the readings (the most recent reading is displayed first).
Error Codes
To help troubleshoot any difficulties with the monitor, six Error Codes are provided (Er 1 through Er 6). When first learning to use this monitor, I encountered a few “operator errors” that I easily identified by the Error Codes and was able to correct. I’m glad they included this feature. My errors were that the blood sample was too small (Er 1) and putting blood on the test strip before inserting the test strip in the meter (Er 3).
Batteries
The FreeStyle monitor comes with two pre-installed AAAA Duracell batteries. A panel on the back of the monitor slides free to reveal the battery opening. If the batteries are running low, the monitor will display a Battery Low symbol on every screen until the batteries are replaced. According to the manufacturer, the batteries will last for 1,000 tests. Note that if the batteries are left out of the monitor for about 60 seconds or longer, you may lose the date and time information. If you cannot find replacement batteries in your area, call TheraSense Customer Service at 1-888-522-5226.
Data Port
The meter has a data port, which needs a special cable and software ($75.00). The FreeStyle Connect Data Management System is for PC use only and allows the user to transfer the data in the FreeStyle meter to a personal computer. According to the manufacturer, “You can then quickly review, analyze and print data in any of several report formats.” If more than one person in a household is monitoring their blood glucose, the software allows multiple users to transfer their data to a computer. The meter data is tracked by meter serial number.
The various types of reports available are: Standard Day, Line Graph, Histogram, 14-day Summary, Data Statistics and Log, Average Readings Summary, Data List, Pie Chart. Presentation can be customized to: Meal Times, Target Glucose High and Low Threshold Markers, Glucose Meter Unit of Measure, Time Format, Report Display and Printing, Report Date Range. Note that multiple meters cannot be tracked on the same report.
Carrying Case
The black carrying case is a nice addition to the unit. It measures about 5 1/2" x 4 1/2" and is about 1 1/2" thick and is made of a woven nylon-type fabric. It zippers closed on three sides. When opened, one side has two netting pockets sealed by a velcro-fastened fabric flap, which hold the monitor and the lance plus caps. The other side has a triangular zippered netted pouch to hold extra lances and test strips. The Daily Log book can slip behind this triangular pocket. A small piece of elastic is attached to the center of the case where a small pencil or pen can be secured. The case appears durable and well-made.
Cost of Operation
* FreeStyle Monitor $74.99
* FreeStyle Test Strips (50 Pack) $40.90
* FreeStyle Test Strips (100 Pack) $73.45
* FreeStyle Sterile Lancets (100 Pack) $10.75
* Duracell AAAA Batteries (2 Pack) $2.99
Optional
* FreeStyle Connect PC-Based Data Management System – $75.00
(Includes: software, connect data cable, Getting Stared Guide, user manual)
Likes
* Easy to use
* Almost painless
* Not just for fingertips! Can be used on a variety of body parts.
* Requires a tiny dot of blood (1/3 microliter)
* Five depth levels for the needle
* Display easy to set & read
* Memory is useful and holds a lot of test results
* Carrying case holds the monitor, lance with caps, log book
Dislikes
* Once Test Strip is inserted in the monitor, do the test quickly or the monitor will turn off
* Not enough room in the carrying case to hold many extra lancets or test strips
* Each bottle of Test Strips has a code number on it, and the monitor has to be manually set to the new code number printed on each new bottle of strips.
Summary
We are very pleased with the FreeStyle monitor. Not only is it simple to operate, but the display panel has large numbers so that it is easy to read. Even if the insurance hadn’t covered the cost, we would buy this glucose monitor. My dad feels secure using it; and I’m happy knowing he’s taking care of himself.
Update -- June 8, 2006
Just wanted to let you know that we are still using this same FreeStyle meter. It works great. We've only had to change the batteries once, too. If I had to pick one inconvenience, it is that each bottle of test strips doesn't necessarily share the same code number, which means that new code numbers have to be input into the device before using a new batch of test strips. Other than that, we are very pleased with this FreeStyle meter.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Meter Specifications
Assay Method: Coulometric Electrochemical Sensor
Automatic Shut-off: 2 minutes after last user action
Battery Life: 1,000 tests
Calibration: Plasma equivalent
Hematocrit: 0-60%
Measurement Units: Either mg/dL or mmol/L
Memory: 250 blood glucose and control solution tests with date and time
Operating Relative Humidity: 5-90%
Operating Temperature: 41-104 degrees F (5-40 degrees C)
Power Source: 2 AAAA batteries replaceable
Result Range: 20 to 500 mg/dL (1.1 - 27.8 mmol/L)
Sample: Whole blood, capillary
Sample Size: 300 nanoliters (0.3 microliters)
Size: Width 2.03" x Length 3.82" x thickness 0.98" (at thickest point)
Test Time: Average of 15 seconds
Weight: 2.4 ounces (including batteries)
Warranty & Customer Service Information
30-day money-back guarantee
5-year warranty
When you send in the Warranty/Registration Card, a choice of free gift is offered. You can select either 2 Log Books, 30 Lancets or 3 Issues of Diabetic Cooking Magazine.
TheraSense offers 24-hour/ 7-days-a-week Customer Service. Their toll-free number is 1-888-522-5226 or visit their website at: www.therasense.com
Please read my other reviews:
FreeStyle Test Strips
JVC XV-N44SL DVD Player
Logitech Harmony Universal Remote Control
Logitech V200 Cordless Notebook Mouse
Logitech MouseMan Dual Optical Mouse
Logitech S510 Cordless Keyboard and Mouse
SanDisk ImageMate 12-in-1 Card Reader with Docking Station
Dazzle 6-in-1 Card Reader
Belkin UPS Emergency Battery Backup – F6C-750AVR
Concord Eye-Q Digital Camera
Koss KTX-PRO1 Headphones
Toshiba Satellite Notebook Computer with 15.4" diagonal widescreen
Antec Notebook Cooler – to prolong computer life
Copyright 2003 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
Yes
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