I stumbled across the article below when trying to determine how accurate the glucometer I’m using is. Obviously, the accuracy of our glucometer is critical, as we have to use them to double check and/or calibrate our CGMs.
Unfortunately, this article is six years old - and I’ve been unable to find a similar study that’s more recent.
If anyone has info on the accuracy of glucometers that’s more recent, please share. The glucometer model I’m currently using isn’t listed in the article, it probably wasn’t available in 2018.
Of course, the brand/model our insurance covers is important - but I’d hate to rely on a meter that’s covered if it’s inaccurate.
There are some recent ratings on different websites - “most accurate” depends on which one you check but there is some overlap. My go-tos used to be Accuchek and OneTouch but there are a number of new players in the game and Oxiline Gluco X Pro is high or at top of some lists.
Since meters are required to meet certain accuracy standards, and since I’ve had two of the same make and model give different (although close) results with the same fingersticks, I don’t get caught up in whether the number differs from my CGM by a certain number of points - I just look for them to fall within the accuracy of +/- 15%. I have actually had a few instances where the numbers were exact, but since meters measure blood glucose and CGMs are measuring interstitial fluid that’s not to be expected.
I just choose a name brand meter rather than a discount one.
Joanne @Jophilly, I haven’t seen a good, statistical BGM comparison to laboratory blood testing in several years - since the blossoming of the wonderfully accurate CGM. Keep in mind too, that the BGM values can vary just because of the very nature of operation; probably a reason that no home meter has never been “approved” for use in calculating bolus insulin - yes, many have been “cleared” for use.
Personally, I compare calibrating a CGM with a BGM to calibrating the time on my phone with the rusty old sundial in the garden - many variables. Although I do know that high noon today on the sundial where I live, 27.5N x 82.66W. occurs at 13:34 Eastern time - just one of the variables like the BGM.
I check accuracy of my meter whenever I have a “total Plasma Glucose” lab test. I do a finger-stick at that time and compare the values. Most recent lab in July was 1 mg/dl greater than my One Touch Verio BGM, the very basic model.
Hi Dennis/Dorie,
Thanks for your feedback. A good, statistical BGM comparison to laboratory blood testing in glucometers is exactly what I’m seeking.
The Forbes Health article doesn’t measure accuracy at all from what I see, and the DocReviews only seems to measure accuracy compared to the control solution.
I’ve been using a Walmart Premier glucometer based on low cost but lately it’s consistently off between 10-40 points from my CGM (the CGM always shows a lower number). I’ve checked the glucometer with control solution and it passes.
Before investing in a new and more expensive glucometer (or changing CGM brand), I was hoping to locate a glucometer accuracy study comparison using lab blood testing -but haven’t found anything more recent than the 2018 article I referenced.
I’ve read several articles saying that many glucometers are inaccurate (more than 15% off compared to a lab blood test). This is so frustrating.
Unless/until a more recent study pops up, I’ll have to use the 2018 article results as my guide and purchase one of the 6 (out of 18) that ‘passed’ the accuracy measurement.
Joanne @Jophilly, as I recall, the Walmart brand BGM received good rating results. The testing/ratings would be published annually in Diabetes Forecast Magazine - way back when my name appeared on the Masthead.
The independent lab [wish I could remember the name of the lab] eveluated meters and scored them by MARD rating scheme just the same way that CGM were scored. The Contour Next meter rated highest [the lower the number the better performance] in the high 7s and, the Dexcom G5 had the best score of everything in the mid 6s.
Just a quick check, glancing at a Relion BGM user guide shows the control solution expires 3 months after the bottle was opened or by the Use by date on the bottle. Is your control solution fresh?
Thanks very much for this info Chris- I’ll use it to check my meter.
The control solution hasn’t expired, but it might’ve been opened more than 3 months ago (I should’ve noted the date but didn’t), so I just ordered more.
You’ve been a tremendous help Chris- thanks again !
Thanks for this Chris. I’ll need to do a deep reading of this, but a quick glance seems to indicate that in this admittedly limited study the Contour Next One is most accurate at the within 15% and the within 10% parameters (assuming I’m reading Table 2 correctly).
I have heard people say that Contour Next makes the most accurate CGMs-and they market this, but it was never a covered brand on my plan formulary -so I never tried it.
However, looking at the OTC (without a prescription) prices, the cost of test strips are not overly expensive. So I’m going to try that brand and compare results with the ReliOn Premier I’ve been using, as my own little (unscientific) experiment.
I have a Contour Next and like it a lot. Paid cash even though my insurance pays 100% for BGMs because none of the in network DME companies sell them. It repeatedly came out on top in both lab and end user studies. Bayer created a great tool. Could be better, no strip eject button and no bluetooth. The bundled Microlet lancets are 28ga telephone poles, don’t use them unless you have to.
But then Bayer spun off their diabetes business into a separate company called Ascensia. New models are back to using the same generic dark gray on light brown screens. The insurance connections fell apart so the “free” meter offers disappeared. There is typically a knowledge loss as people leave the new smaller company. The smaller company has less buying power to negotiate prices with suppliers. What really has me worried is can the smaller company continue to manufacture high quality test strips while facing a tough economy and shrinking market share.
But… having two meters just gives you more different data. It doesn’t tell you anything about your existing meter.
Actually Chris @spdif, the Countour Next does link with MiniMed Paradigm pumps. Mine came in the package from Medtronic with my MiniMed 526 [I think that was the one] in the 2000 aughts and also worked with my next pump too.
I still have it and use it when how I feel doesn’t match both my new BGM or my CGM. I validate its top-notch accuracy when I have laboratory blood work done.
This is true but… early on when I used fingersticks I had a meter I used at home and another I carried with me - different models and possibly different brands as well. My doctor told me if was going to use two they should be the same make and model soil won be comparing apples to apples rather than apples and oranges: so I started getting two of the same one. Now and then I would check my numbers on both at the same time, and so long as they were close I was happy. If the numbers were out of whack (a very technical term) I would investigate further. Three would have been ideal but that would have been overkill…