AlphaTrak2 glucose strips substitutes??

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Roops, Jun 16, 2019.

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  1. Roops

    Roops Member

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    Apr 7, 2019
    Since it looks like we will be going though a lot of glucose strips, I was wondering if there are any cheaper strips available that would work with the AlphaTrak 2 glucose monitor.

    Many thanks in advance.
     
  2. Marianne M

    Marianne M Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    I saw on this board that you can use the Freestyle Insulinx strips in the AT2 meter. It was mentioned to test with the AT2 strip and the Insulinx strip to see what the difference may be in readings and use the code 38 on the meter. I too am going through tons of the AT2 testing strips so I purchased from a company caller Save on Strips found on a google search. Since that meter is no longer available the strips are. The cost was 50 strips for $29.98 US VS $52 for the AT2 strips. I haven't gotten them yet and will see if I trust using them once I test with them against the AT2. Good luck and Roops is just darling. I love the redheads!
     
  3. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
    I buy insulinx strips usually from eBay. Sometimes from Amazon. Code 38
     
  4. Marianne M

    Marianne M Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2019
    How much of a difference was it between the reading on both your meter? I guess it will be different for whatever BG meter you are testing.
     
  5. MrWorfMen's Mom

    MrWorfMen's Mom Well-Known Member

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    Feb 18, 2015
    First of all, the strips used in the old Insulinx meter are Freestyle Lite strips here in Canada. They are about $80 for 100 strips at Walmart. There are no strips called Insulinx here in Canada.

    While these strips will work in the AT2 meter and are the same strips, the strips packaged under the AT2 brand have been batch tested to determine which cat code on the AT2 meter will give you the most lab equivalent result. There are 7 known cat codes on the AT2 meter. There may be more we are unaware of. The codes we know are 07, 08, 22, 37, 38, 92 and 93. So while folks have been reporting acceptable results with code 38 that is not necessarily going to consistently be the case.

    While you will get a reading in the ballpark with the alternate strips, you stand roughly a 14% chance of getting the most accurate reading possible. I recently tried some Freestyle strips in my AT2 meter on code 7. One reading was within reasonable expectations while another was considerably higher than I would have expected. My previous tests with alternate strips using other codes often produced readings higher than those with the properly branded strips. This is where my concern lies in that a meter reading low will allow you to take necessary action in plenty of time should kitty be experiencing low BG but a meter reading high could delay action possibly leading to a symptomatic hypoglycemic event. Just my 2 cents.
     
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  6. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Jun 8, 2016
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  7. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    That's why I always compare the numbers to the alpha strips when I start a new bottle. And I use alpha of she's in hypo just to be sure.
     
    MrWorfMen's Mom likes this.
  8. Margie and Jackson

    Margie and Jackson Member

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    Apr 26, 2019
    I just bought some insulinx strips, and found this thread. That chart is a public service! Thank you!
     
    JanetNJ likes this.
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