Annoying Error Messages on Nova Meter

ketones
tests
(Lisandra Mathews) #1

I love testing my ketones and knowing I’m In ketosis but I found I’ve thrown away a few of my precious ketone strips because I’ve randomly received E-3 or E-4 messages. I’m just as careful as I am when I do get readings so I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. Is this a typical issue with the Nova? I’m considering signing up for Jimmy Moores meter or maybe a precision.

(Tim W) #2

E3 = used strip or strip error

E4 = blood sample error or bad strip

I have not had an issue with this meter (maybe a 5% sample failure rate, often due to not enough blood in the sample)

Are you getting super cheap strips from somewhere (since both errors could be from a “bad strip”), could they be “too cheap”?

(Lisandra Mathews) #3

I bought them directly from Nova. I guess I need to be extra careful

#4

Yeah I have a Nova and have gotten error messages in two situations – one if I wait too long to add the blood drop, the meter kind of stops waiting and turns off. The other is when I don’t insert the strip right or don’t get enough blood (or also way too much) on the strip.

Very annoying at a couple bucks a pop!

(Andrew Anderson) #5

Yes! Same issue. I have to be sure I have a super size blood drop to ensure it works.

(Todd Allen) #6

I have Raynaud’s which restricts circulation in my hands. And I have a neuro-muscular disease which makes me shaky and I would have difficulty applying the strip to the blood drop, I used to get a lot of E-4 errors on my Nova Max. I held off doing ketone testing and practiced with cheaper glucose strips. With practice I’ve solved my issues and now almost never waste a strip.

I soak my hand for a couple minutes in hot water to stimulate blood flow. I’ve learned the spots that bleed most (sides of my thumb tips) and milk my finger to insure a good blood drop. If I don’t get a good drop I’ll start over. And I brace my hands when applying the strip to minimize my shakes.

(Lisandra Mathews) #7

I think you’re right I may be waiting too long and if I fumble in the slightest I get an error.

(Lisandra Mathews) #8

Great how you found a way around it. I wish the test strips had a pez-like dispenser to them, I always get nervous that I might be touching the ends.

(Todd Allen) #9

I forgot to add make sure your hands are completely clean & dry before handling the strips and you don’t have to worry about touching the ends. Moisture or oily skin can dilute the blood drop and give a bad reading.

(Tim W) #10

Good stuff, I have trouble getting enough blood flow into my fingertips as well. The warm water trick does work. I have had to poke several fingers just to get a single sample, leading me to re-use lancets multiple times, which led to me to just leaving the same lancet in for up to a week at a time, just cleaning it with alcohol for each use, anyone else do that (re-use lancets?).