Tara, the control numbers on the vial have *nothing* to do with blood
glucose ranges - they're merely calibration references for the meter.  When
you do a control test, if the number on the meter is within the range
specified on the vial, then the calibration is correct.

What meter are you using?  Does it need to be calibrated each time you use
it?  I use the Accu-Chek Advantage; there is a code key that comes with
every new box of strips, and the new key must be inserted into the back of
the meter.  If that isn't done, test results will not be accurate.  Also,
the number on the new code key must match the number on the new vial of
strips.

When you got the 124 reading, did you test again to see if that was just a
glitch?  Many times I've retested immediately after getting a too high/too
low number and learned that I had a bad strip on the first test.  Also, I
don't know how old you are, but sometimes the time of month (and menopause,
too!) can make your numbers go a little wacky.  Keep in mind that some
people would *love* to have an FBG of only 124, so while that's a little
high, it's no reason to panic.

When I get a higher fasting BG, I cut back on (not eliminate) the number of
carbs I have for breakfast.  If I cut back too far on the carbs at
breakfast, I run the risk of a hypo by lunchtime because of the Glucotrol
I'm on.

Keep in mind that it can take several weeks for medications to really kick
in and do their job.  Doctors usually start patients on low doses and ramp
them up as needed, so check in with your doctor if you think the meds aren't
working as well as they should.  Give yourself a little time - you may have
numbers all over the place until your body adjusts to the meds and diet.
For peace of mind, you may want to talk to your doctor.  Perhaps he/she can
refer you to a diabetes education class and a dietician.

Hang in there - it sounds like you're off to a great start managing this
disease!

Karen
Type 2
Dx 9/11/02
Glucotrol 10 mg.
Glucophage 1000 mg.

I got a vial of bad test strips once, for my ultrasmart.  I don't test
with control solution every vial, but I realized my results were odd and
did the control solution test.  It was outside the control range, and
again when I repeated the test, so I took the package back to the
pharmacy and they replaced it with another package.  They thought it odd
one package in a batch would be bad, but I figured it could have been on
the corner of the box and gotten hot or cold in shipping.

I've wondered about variations between different lots of strips (within
the control range), but haven't seen much sign of it.  I got a WalMart
meter as backup for traveling out of the country and while it runs 5-10
points lower than my ultrasmart (whole blood rather than plasma reading,
I guess) it is nice to be able to check a weird reading on a different
meter.  The test strips are individually wrapped so they don't have to
be used within a few months after opening.

Pam
t2 since Nov. 2003
diet and exercise

I'm fairly new to this too, and a couple of days ago had a similar
situation. A new bottle of strips (Freestyle code 17) and suddenly my
numbers were 10-20 points lower than normal. I too used the control solution
and it was within the normal range (but at the low end so I too wondered if
that indicated that this bottle of strips just run lower). In any event,
after a lovely day and a half spent exclusively in the 80's, I switched to a
new bottle of strips and my numbers were back to what I'm used to. I plan on
calling the company, I bet they'll replace the strips free of charge. Get
some new strips and compare.

Tori

Tara I believe the higher the reading on the strips from the control,
does increase the readings of your bg.  I try to have them right in the
middle,  Is that cheating?

Loretta

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