Anyone experienced BG or Keto test strips that don't work?

(Empress of the Unexpected) #1

I’m a bit miffed, what with the price of all these strips. Out of a container of 100 ketone strips, I got four duds. Never touched the wrong end, keep them in the container, etc. When I say dud, I mean I insert them in the reader and it doesn’t light up, ever. Then I put in a BG strip and everything is fine.

(Robert C) #2

I use the Abbott Precision Xtra and never a single failure so far (we’re talking over 100 at this point).

That failure rate seems so high that maybe you want to actually switch brands.

If you still have a few of the old ones you could then measure with both at the same time and see if - when they do work - they were accurate.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #3

I thought each ketone/BG meter used it’s own strips? Or am I totally missing what you are saying?

(Robert C) #4

I meant new meter and new strips.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #5

Gotcha - thanks.

#6

I had a dud blood ketone meter which was quickly replaced by the manufacturer.
I would contact the manufacturer and ask for assistance?
Yes, the ketone strips are ridiculously expensive.
Mine come in packs of 10!
We’re a captive market.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #7

I think I will do that.

(Jane) #8

Same here with my KetoMojo strips. Some just don’t register. And it pisses me right off considering they cost $1 each!!!

(Empress of the Unexpected) #9

Hi Janie - Glad to know others have had the problem with Keto Mojo. How many of your strips were duds? I liked the idea because the ketone strips are relatively cheap, but getting four out of 100 that don’t kick on the meter, well, at some point that won’t become cheap. I think I will just concentrate on BG (even the Keto Mojo BG strips are way cheaper), and buy a new BG/ketone meter when I win the lottery! :rofl::rofl: But I will send the company an email and see how badly they want to keep me as a customer.

#10

I’ve had that happen with several KetoMojo strips, and $1 per strip may be cheaper than other meters, but it’s still a lot for it not to work. I just don’t test as often anymore, and not sure I plan to purchase them again. Glad the glucose strips are cheap!

(Jane) #11

Let us know their response. I will save my duds in case I can get them replaced. Basically when I insert them the meter does not recognize that you have put a strip in it.

(Daisy) #12

Out of curiosity, what is the point of testing ketones? I’ve never tested because 1. I’m massively cheap and 2. Everyone seems to say it’s not very accurate.
If you’re keeping your total carbs well below 20, is there a reason to test?

(Empress of the Unexpected) #13

My problem exactly - the screen does not come on.

(Jane) #14

I am in maintenance so I don’t always keep my carbs below 20 so the meter can be helpful to know when I’ve reached my limit and out of ketosis.

I mainly use it when fasting to calculate my GKI just as interesting data.

I also planned to used the much cheaper glucose strips to test my blood sugar reaction to things like sweeteners but haven’t done that yet.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #15

Update - wow! Got a response to my e-mail within minutes. I am giving the lot number, etc., but the chat person asked if I pushed the gray button prior to inserting the strip. Janie, have I lost my mind? You insert a strip, the meter goes on, after strip is taken out the meter goes off. It goes off and on automatically - I have never pushed the gray button.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #16

It’s convenient to be able to test ketones, but I really want to get my BG down, so for me it is important to test after certain foods, to see what causes a rise, how IF affects it. I am also in maintenance. I think everyone reacts to foods differently.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #17

I’m still emailing back and forth. I am been insanely careful never to touch the top part where the blood goes. But keto-mojo has made the comment that even briefly touching the bottom metal part that goes into the meter can disable a strip. So, grab those tiny little suckers right in the middle - kinda hard.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #18

Yes, bottom line, I must have touched the metal part at the base of the strips. Good to know - the company says only handle the middle part, but that seems a bit tricky getting them out of the container.

(Jane) #19

I probably did, too. Thanks for this - I will be more careful from now on. And yes, the way they are packaged makes that hard. Would be better to have them in a rectangular case with a flip top.