Freestyle Lite Tests Strips with AlphaTrak meter?

Hi all,

Just read a review on Amazon about using Freestyle Lite test strips with an AlphaTrak meter... anyone try this? Any thoughts? I have the AlphaTrak meter, and the test strips are twice as expensive as the Freestyle Lite strips are listed at on Amazon, and from what I recently read, the Freestyle Lite requires an even smaller test sample than the AlphaTrak (which was its mail selling feature for me in the first place). The meter itself was quite expensive , but even after just a few boxes of cheaper strips I would make back that money..

I think the Freestyle Lite meter is fairly inexpensive anyways .. if I can find the test strips in Canada for about $25/50 stips (what they Amazon.com rate is) rather than the $50/50 of the AlphaTrak, maybe it's worth while?

 

There has been at least one post on this subject. Some users do use a human strip in the AlphaTrak meter. See the following. They are for dogs but the principle applies for cats.
http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/showthr ... 065&page=4
http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=984
http://www.k9diabetes.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2178

The caretaker who posts in FDMB also posts in the K9 forum.

 

I had tested AT along with many other meters when it first came out. I remember trying AT test strip in Freestyle and Freestyle test strips in AT. Dont' quote me on this but I believe you could use the F in the AT but not the AT in the F which really made me question even using the "animal calibrated" AT. I for one would not do it.....I would just go buy a human meter or stick with the Freestyle.

 

Thanks for the info. I did do some searching of this forum, and on the K9 ones.. it seems people were assuming the code remains the same as you would use for the AT test strips, but I've had a few different sets of strips with different codes, so I might just look into getting a Freestyle Lite meter anyways. Price seems right, same blood sample size, and easier to get (and cheaper) test strips...

So frustrating looking at the price in the US compared to Canada! I think I need to get a PO box on the border... apparently offering those is big business!!

 

I use Freestyle Lite,unlike AT, it doesn't use code.
However, I am not sure about the blood sample size, in most of case, I need to suck more than the picture looks on its box....

 

By the way, your cat and mine look very alike.

 

I have no experience with any other meters so I can't compare the sample size amount, just from what I read they both need .3 , so at least it should be similar, if not the smallest amount possible...

Yes they do look alike! Both with the nice fluffy white beard

 

Jackie,
I have a Freestyle Lite meter that I am no longer using. I could send it to you? PM me.

 

If you go to the freestyle lite website, you can request a free monitor be sent to you... and it will come with 25 test strips. I'd suggest sending away for that, and then using the 25 strips in your AT, comparing to AT strips. I have found that, unless you are ordering online, the freestyle lite strips in stores are very expensive.... not that much cheaper than AT strips. I would check that they are available in stores and the cost before committing. Or at least have a backup option that you can easily get locally in case you suddenly need strips.

I used the AT for about a month, but three factors just killed it for me:
1. Inconvenience of getting strips when I needed them. My former vet did sell them... $76 for 50 strips! And they weren't open late evenings or weekends. (though it is possible that maybe one of the 24 hour vet clinics in town sell them).
2. Almost everyone here uses a human meter, so when I needed help, I had to make sure people understood that I had an AT
3. The cost.

The cheapest I've been able to get AT strips is $0.83/strip on American Diabetes Wholesale website. That was with a coupon code AND 8% cashback through Mr. Rebates. They hadn't had a coupon code for awhile, and after running out of strips on an unexpected low number streak, I just finally gave up.

Right now, I'm using an advocate meter with strips I got from ebay... I got 600 strips for less than what I paid for 100 AT strips. And it will be a long time before I run out of strips!

Good luck with your search! I'm sure you'll find a workable solution soon!

 

I recently had to get the AlphaTrak monitor because my cat had some hypoglycemic episodes and seems to have some unusual responding to the Lantus (after two years). I have just realized I will be out of test strips in a few days and it will take too long to order AlphaTrak strips, plus they are so expensive.

There is a lot of info to sort through, but I am reading that you can use the Freestyle Lite human strips in the animal AT monitor. The specialist I had to take my cat to, did the original control solution test, but I am to make sure the glucometer reads within the range listed on the Alpha vial (range listed for cats) each time I start with a new box of strips. I have about 6 Alpha strips left and would like to compare them with the new Freestlye strips.

So when I first do a control test with the new Freestyle Lite strips, do I change the code to the human code on the Freestyle vial and compare the glucometer reading with the range on the Freestyle vial? (I have not yet purchased the Freestyle Lite strips, so not sure what numbers they come with). Then can I change the code back to the cat code on my current Alpha vial and use as usual?

 

I currently have an alpha track meter with 2 vials of I believe 50 strips in the Newbie Kit collection. Exp early 2012.
I've been wondering who would get this kit because of all of the above...yet for someone who could afford it, it would be a nice package of a newbie kit.
Sooooooo if anyone comes across such a person, a newbie...well, send them over ok.
I'd hate to send it out to just anyone as it might be more of a problem than a gift.
Thanks
Lori