AlphaTrak 2 control test solution

I called customer service and was on a never ending menu that went nowhere. I would like to order from a reliable source. I noticed that it is only good for 3 months and my 3 months are just now up.

 

I have used the AT2 control solution up to 8 months if it has been stored properly

 

Thanks Tuxedo Mom. I thought when I read the instructions that it meant it didn't work effectively more than 3 months after opening. That's good news. I checked the company's website and it didn't give an option for ordering new solution. I thought that was odd. Thanks again for your reply.

 

Send an email to this email address asking for the control solution.

productsupportservice@zoetis.com

Unfortunately Zoetis took over the AlphaTrak meter from Abbott and they are still trying to get their act together as far as support is concerned. I had to get "very assertive" with them to get an electronic copy of the manual and told them in no uncertain terms they need to improve their customer service. The Zoetis website is ripe with marketing material but little in the way of customer service. Perhaps a few more strongly worded emails from the users of the meters will get this problem corrected quicker. I myself have control solution that is past the expiry and yes it still works but I intend to contact them next week for a new bottle anyway as I lost the cap for the bottle. Probably a frisky kitty has batted it under some furniture!

 

Ahhh, that explains it. I would be happy to send an email and a strongly worded one at that. Good luck on finding that cap. Thanks for the information.

 

I order from Countryside vet. Reliable and fast shipping. I get my strips from them in 2 days. I buy 2 boxes which is free shipping.

 

I'm in Canada and my pet pharmacy doesn't list the control solution in their product list although they'd probably order it for me if I asked. My feeling is that the AT folks should send out the control solution free as do the majority of the human meter vendors so even if I could get it where I get my strips, I'd rather not pay for it if I don't have to.

 

Same for me. When I was still using the AT2 I ordered it from Countryside Pet through amazon.com, as they sell _some_ but not all, of their products on amazon as well. But I just checked and it doesn't look like the control solution is there, but it is through their direct website: http://www.countrysidepet.com/alphatrak-2-control-solution/ But one thing to note. For products on their own website vs Amazon, the prices can be different! Makes no sense to me, but it is true. And one isn't always cheaper. A while back, the meter was cheaper on amazon from Countryside, but the strips were cheaper on their own website, so check both.

One other thing to think about. They currently have the AT2 kit on sale through amazon for $54.50 (http://www.amazon.com/AlphaTRAK-Blo...&qid=1446379522&sr=1-1&refinements=p_4:Abbott), on their own website it is for $59.97, and it comes with 25 strips and 1 bottle of solution (instead of 2), and all of the usual stuff like lancets, lancing pen, etc. I have always liked to have a spare meter, just in case. So you could always think about getting another kit to get you everything, including a "spare" meter. Just a thought. Good luck!

 

Ok, I know this sounds really dumb, and possible scary since Goof was diagnosed last December, but what is the control solution for? I've never used it.....

 

It is supposed to confirm that your meter is working correctly. On the side of the control solution bottle there is a range printed...I don't have it in front of me, but let's say it is 130-145 or something. You put a drop of control solution on the test strip, just like you would blood, and make sure that it reads in the range that is specified. If so, you know you are good.

 

Thank you!

 

It is recommended that control solution be used to check each new package of test strips to ensure they are reading within the specified range as well as to check the meter. Every vial of strips can read a smidge higher or lower so I always use the control solution on the first strip as a base line in case I notice slightly lower or higher numbers.

 

And if you are wanting to compare a specific human meter with the AT2, you can test the control solution with both meters a few times to get a sense of the variability between them.

 

I've been using the AT test solution to test new vials of Freestyle strips as well as the AT strips assuming the AT test solution is likely just repackaged FS Lite solution. Never thought to include those readings in my comparisons.

 

If you do any paired tests with the control solution, let me know. I can run both a combined and separate analysis of the relationship between your meters.

 

A good thought that is. I don't have a spare. So next time I will order a whole kit. I figured if I needed a new one I would get a human one. But I just can't wrap my head around the difference in numbers. I know when Smokey's blood was sent to lab his glucose was exact with vets meter and my meter reading done in office from same sample.

 

I would not do that with different manufacturer's meters. There are different ways to measure BG
Glucose Meters: A Review of Technical Challenges to Obtaining Accurate Results
and thus a control solution for one manufacture's meter may not be applicable to another manufacturer's meter.

 

Control solutions have a given concentration. You would expect similar results within meter and a given relationship between a pair of meters when comparing them, such that
meter A = weight* Meter B +/1 constant +/- error variance.

 

But as I said some meters use different measurment methods and thus I would not expect control solutions to perform the say. What proof do you have? The manufacturers say only use their control solution?

I just did test with one bottle of control solution:
- CVS TrueResult Meter 59
- Easy Gluco Plus 58
- iHealth 99
I previously tested the iHealth against the Easy Gluco Plus with the same drop of MurrFee's bload and got 281 for EG and 264 for ihealth

 

Thanks, I'll check their website.

 

I've been thinking about a getting a spare meter so will check the Amazon sale. That's where I got my present meter. Thanks.

 

Do you keep record of the difference between the control solution readings with the first strip readings and factor that in to the BG reading? If so how do you do it? I've been checking the control strips with the range on the test strip container only to make sure it is within proper range.

 

I am not "factoring" the test readings in to my ongoing readings. I simply use it as a gauge so if I notice a few points up/down in readings with a new vial and the control test was a few points higher/lower than the previous vial, I know it's likely just strip variance and not a change in my cat's condition.

 

That's exactly what the control solution is for.

I took a peek at your spreadsheet.
One can't tell anything about a cat's condition from that. A few points higher or lower become a moot point especially when kitty is consistently throwing numbers in the 300s and 400s...

 

I only use it as directed to make sure the strips are within the range.

 

Agreed but just ot clarify, the point or two higher or lower using our mmols is much more significant than a few points using your scale of measure.

 

Yes, but only because of the numeric systems themselves. That's all.
1 mg/dL = 18.018018 mmol/L

Correction duly noted:
1 mmol/L = 18.018018 mg/dL


It translates the same within the context used.

 

Number turned around...it's 1 mmol/dL - 18.018 mg/Ld

 

Oops! Thank you very much for the correction!
That'll teach me to multi task when responding.



ETA: I've always seen millimoles per liter abbreviated as mmol/L and milligrams per deciliter abbreviated as mg/dL...

 

I saw some control solution for sale on ADW diabetic supplies website - two vials cost $18.99

 

Typo! I evidently can't multi-task and type!