Blood glucose, also known as ‘blood sugar’, is what gives the body energy. It comes from the food we consume, as our body metabolizes the food. The blood circulates the sugar to the various cells in the body.

Excess sugar (hyperglycemia) or Low sugar (hypoglycemia) levels in the body can pose serious problems.

People with diabetes especially have to monitor their blood sugar levels, keeping it within a healthy range is a great idea, but not too low because that causes hypoglycemia. But regularly monitoring your blood glucose levels could be a lifesaver.

Diabetic patients, without enough insulin in the blood, cannot absorb blood glucose, so the body system looks for something else to use for energy. Thus, it starts converting fats into ketones which it uses for energy.

Having ketones gradually building up in the system of a diabetic person is not a good idea. It can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis and may be life-threatening. So, monitoring ketones in the body becomes essential too (in addition to blood glucose levels).

Precision Xtra glucose and ketone monitoring system is a product of Abbott Diabetes Care Inc. that cuts across various individual use. As one of the famous brands among monitoring systems, people with diabetes and others on a ketogenic diet have found this product to be fast, accurate, easy to use and of great help.

The versatility the Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System offers diabetics in testing not only blood glucose but blood ketone as well is meant to be one of it’s biggest benefits and why it is preferred to other glucometers in the market.

But there are many questions lie on real user experience about its practicality and accuracy.

In this Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System Review, we are going to answer the most common questions asked by users to provide you with a guide to help your decision-making process.

Before, looking into the review, let’s identify the instances when you might need to check your blood glucose and blood ketone levels.

When to Monitor Blood Sugar?

• When you feel sick
• When you experience hyperglycemia symptoms
  like frequent urination, sleepiness, excessive thirst, blurry vision.
• When you have a job that requires blood glucose control
• Also, when you start experiencing hypoglycemia symptoms like confusion, dizziness, twitching, losing muscle coordination, and feeling weak and tired.
• When you need to monitor how changes in exercise, diet and medication affect your blood sugar levels.

Tip: Haven’t you consider drinking Glucerna yet?

When to Monitor Blood Ketone?

• When you are on a keto diet
• When you are insulin-dependent
• When your blood glucose levels are above 250 mg/dl.
• When you are sick and experiencing symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) like dehydration, confusion, hyperventilation, vomiting or rapid heartbeat (basically, they can be symptoms of undiagnosed or diagnosed diabetes. This can be a Medical Emergency – Call 911 or 000)

Tip: Precision Xtra does not measure blood A1c levels, which is an important measurement to key eye on. The good news is A1CNow+ System does that job.

What is the Precision Xtra Dual Glucometer?

When trying to monitor, understand and better manage diabetes, Precision Xtra Blood Glucose and Ketone Monitoring System is an all-new valuable tool for this purpose. Not only can you monitor blood glucose, but you can also monitor blood Ketone as an added feature to make things easier and further reduce the chances of ‘ignorance’ of a diabetes-related health emergency.

It is important to monitor your blood sugar and blood ketone according to your health professional’s recommendations.

Product Description of Precision Xtra Meter

The Precision Xtra meter was made for fast and easy everyday testing.

It operates with a functional display that shows results and some operational tips along the way. The strip port for inserting test strip also acts as a USB port for connecting data cable to a computer.

The back button and the forward button are for browsing through results stored in the meter’s memory, and the Mode button is for turning it on or off.

Specifications

Dimensions (L x W x H): 1.40 x 1.62 x 1.40 Inches

Weight: 1.2lbs

Operating Temperature: 10° to 50°C ( 50° to 122°F)

Battery (installed): one-coin cell lithium replaceable battery.

Battery life: about 1000 tests

Memory: 450 events

Precision Xtra Blood Glucose Test Strips/ Blood Ketone Test Strips

The Precision Xtra test strip is designed with top-fill and end-fill technology with visual confirmation requires a small whole blood sample of about 0.6 micro liters in blood glucose test strip.

The blood ketone test strip requires about 1.5 micro liters whole blood sample from the fingertip.

Simple testing and a fast test time of 5 seconds for blood glucose and 10 seconds for blood ketone.

TrueMeasure Technology built into the Precision Xtra test strip minimizes effects of interfering substances such as acetaminophen, aspirin and vitamin C, for accurate and true results.

Tip: Here are the Best Vitamins for Diabetes.

 

 

Functions and Purpose of Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System

Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System is intended for the following purposes.

• Self-testing (home use) or healthcare professional testing in diagnosis.
• Professional or home use for diabetes management.
• Measuring blood glucose and blood sugar using whole blood from the fingertip.

It is important to note that only Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone test strips used with it’s Meter can produce accurate results. Using another brand’s test strips may produce inaccurate results.

What’s in the Box?

A Precision Xtra Blood Glucose & Ketone Monitoring System kit contains the following items.

• Precision Xtra Meter
• Logbook for recording results
• Precision Xtra User Manual
• Carrying case for keeping Meter and other supplies.

It may also contain items, depending on the type of ‘kit’ you purchase.

• Lancets
• Lancing device
• Blood glucose test strips
• Their instructions for use

Precision Xtra Test Strips

TrueMeasure Technology was used to design the Precision Xtra test strips. They possess unique features and benefits, such as the following.

• Precision Xtra glucose test strips have a 0.6 microliter sample size, which means it uses 60% less blood.
• Faster test time. Glucose test strip takes only 5 seconds, Ketone test strips take just 10 seconds to test and produce the result.
• There’s visual confirmation
• Top-fill or end-fill
• Simple blood application
• And, it allows for multiple test sites (except for ketone test strips which are restricted to fingertip blood samples only)

Tip: Here are the Top 10 Best Glucose Monitoring Devices of the year.

How to Use the Precision Xtra?

Follow the below steps for a successful test and accurate results.

• Insert test strip into the Meter strip
• Using the lancet pen loaded with a needle, place it on the side of the fingertip. Make sure your hands are washed.
• Push the button on the lancet pen
• Squeeze your finger to get a whole large drop of blood
• Apply blood sample on the end of the test strip (blood glucose test strip or blood ketone test strip), until the Meter registers the insertion.
• The Meter displays results on its screen after a few moments
• Use your logbook to record the results

Things to Know When You Use the Precision Xtra

Don’t ignore the following tips.

• Ensure you set the correct date and time on the meter before use for the first time. It helps you keep a record of when you monitor.

• The accurate result is only possible when using compatible test strips (Precision Xtra glucose test strip and Precision Xtra ketone test strip) with your Precision Xtra meter. The test strips designed for other machines will not produce accurate results through Precision Xtra.

• Make sure test strips are not expired before use.

• If the test strip is punctured, wet or tampered with, do not use it.

• It is important to keep the strip port on the meter clean and moist free. Meter has to be kept clean as well, refer to User’s manual for more on how to keep it clean.

• Check blood sugar levels first before blood ketone.

• Precision Xtra test strips and other items may be purchased separately from the initial kit.

• Ensure to read the User’s Manual for more clarity and description.

Interpreting Your Precision Xtra Results

It is important to understand blood sugar levels and ketone levels to help in the management of diabetes. Interpreting your results could help avert diabetes complications and ketoacidosis.

The Precision Xtra glucose and ketone monitoring system also measures glucose average for 7 days, 14 days, and 30 days and stores the results in its 450-event memory.

Blood Glucose Levels Results

There are several opinions about the ideal set range for glucose levels, depending on your age and severity of diabetes. Diabetic individuals come with different needs and therapeutic responses that must be considered before a range is set. And, these things are to be discussed with a healthcare professional and decided by your diabetes care team.

Precision Xtra Meter measures blood glucose with US standard mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter). Other meters may use the UK or Australian standard mmol/L (millimoles per liter). In any case, mg/dl is approx. 18 times of mmol/l.

Here is a general guide about the blood glucose level you should target for.

You	Circumstance	Targeted Blood Glucose, mg/dL (mmol/L)	Blood Ketone Check	Actions
None-diabetic	No diabetes	72 – 108 (4 – 6)	No need to check	None
Diabetic	Before meal	63 – 99 (3.5 – 5.5)	No need to check	None
Diabetic	After meal	Less than 144 (<8)	No need to check	None
Diabetic	Before meal	108 – 180 (6 – 10)	Consider checking	Contact your doctor, if it persists.
Diabetic	Before meal	180 – 300 (10 – 16.7)	Check blood ketone levels	*Check every 2 hours till it reduces to < 180mg/dl *Contact your doctor
Diabetic	Before meal	Above 300 (≥16.7)	Check blood ketone levels	Call 000 or 911, or visit your local hospital or doctor.

• A healthy individual without diabetes should measure between 72 – 108 mg/dl.

• Diabetic individuals should measure between 63 – 99 mg/dl before a meal. And, less than 144 mg/dl after a meal.

• If the range falls between 108 – 180 mg/dl before a meal, it is a little bit high. Contact your professional healthcare team if it persists.

• Between 180 – 300 mg/dl before a meal is high, check after a couple of hours severally till it reduces to less than 180mg/dl.

If it doesn’t reduce but continues to increase, check your blood ketone levels and report to your healthcare professional.

• Above 300 mg/dl is very high. You have to continue checking severally after every couple of hours. Also, check your blood ketone levels and take appropriate actions. Remember, this is likely to be a medical emergency!

Blood Ketone Levels Results

Following ketogenic low carb diet can be beneficial to general well being in most cases, even for diabetics. But when the body starts producing high levels of ketones as by-products, it is dangerous and can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, especially for type 1 diabetes and insulin-dependent diabetes. It is therefore essential you measure ketone levels which will help in managing general healthcare.

Although in most cases, high ketones usually occur when there’s high sugar level in the body of about 230 mg/dl.

Depending on your blood glucose levels, here is a general guide about how you should go about the blood ketone level.

You	Targeted Blood Ketone, mmol/L	Targeted Blood Ketone, mg/dL	Blood Ketone	Actions
None-diabetic	0.5 –3	9 – 54	Normal	None
Diabetic	Less than 0.6	Less than 11	Normal	None
Diabetic	0.6 – 1.5	11 – 27	Slightly high	*Check every 2 hours till it reduces to < 0.6 *Contact your doctor, if it persists.
Diabetic	1.5 – 3.0	27 – 54	High	Contact your doctor
Diabetic	Over 3.0	Over 54	Medical Emergency	Call 000 or 911, or visit your local hospital or doctor.

• A healthy ketone level will range between 0.5 –3 mmol/l and is considered nutritional ketosis for normal persons without diabetes.
• For a diabetic, if the measurement falls below 0.6 mmol/l it is normal.
• If it ranges between 0.6 – 1.5 mmol/l, ketone levels are slightly higher than normal and should be measured again after some time to see if it reduces.
• Between 1.5 – 3 mmol/l indicates high ketone levels and risk of ketoacidosis. Healthcare professional should be contacted for counsel.
• Now if blood ketones measure above 3 mmol/l, it is a dangerous level and requires immediate medical attention.

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Error Messages – What They Mean? And, What To Do?

When some error messages appear on the meter’s display, don’t be alarmed, here’s what it means.

• E-1

The system can’t work because the temperature is too high or too low.

Simply move meter and test strip to an appropriate temperature and try again.

• E-2

Meter error.

Restart meter and try again.

• E-3

Blood sugar result may be too low for the meter to read or glucose/Ketone test strip might have a problem.

Review your steps and try again, if the message shows again quickly contact your professional healthcare.

• E-4

Blood sugar result may be too high for the meter to read or glucose/Ketone test strip might have a problem.

Review your steps and try again, if the message shows again quickly contact your professional healthcare team.

• E-5

Blood has been applied to the test strip a little too soon.

Follow the monitoring instruction and try again.

• E-6

Meter error.

Monitor again using test strips compatible with Precision Xtra Meter (Precision Xtra test strips).

• E-7

Meter error, the test strip may be damaged, already used or unrecognized by the meter.

Monitor again using test strips compatible with Precision Xtra Meter (that is, Precision Xtra test strips).

• E-8

Meter error.

Remove test strip, restart meter and try again.

• E-9

Meter error.

Remove test strip, restart meter and try again.

If any error message persists more than twice contact product’s customer care service.

How to Transfer Results from Your Precision Xtra Meter to Your Computer?

Using a compatible data management system, test results can be downloaded from the meter’s memory to a computer using a cable.

Contact the customer care service if anything becomes unclear.

Pros – Precision Xtra

• Ease of use. Test strips are color-coded, the purple strip is blood ketone strip, the blue strip is blood glucose strip.
• Comes in handy with the middle of the night blood sugar spikes.
• Impressive that it can test for both blood ketone and blood glucose.
• Results also come in as fast as 5 seconds for blood glucose and 10 seconds for blood ketone.
• Blood glucose test strips require little blood, which is helpful too.

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Cons – Precision Xtra

• Precision Xtra glucose and ketone test strips often have to be purchased separately from the initial kit, depending on where you buy it.
• Precision Xtra ketone test strips aren’t always covered by insurance. They’re a little pricey too.
• While it is for protective measures, the individually wrapped test strips can be a little troublesome, especially when you’re in a hurry.
• Ketone test strips require a little bit more blood than blood glucose test strip.

Tip: Would you interested in a Smarter Glucometer? Then, Dario is a brand you shouldn’t ignore.

Precision Xtra – Availability and Cost

Precision Xtra Glucose and Ketone monitoring system are available at local medical stores and pharmacy as well as online stores.

One of the confusions is that the ‘kit’ content different items depending on where you buy it and the amount you prepared to pay for your initial purchase.

1. Abbott (abbottstore.com)

Precision Xtra Glucose & Ketone monitoring system is sold at Abbott store for the price of approx. $28 at one-time purchase. And, for approx. $25(10% off) as a scheduled purchase.

The flip side is that Abbott ships only within the US.

Kit includes

• Precision Xtra meter
• Lancing device
• Carrying case
• 10 lancets

Test strips are sold separately

• Precision Xtra Glucose test strips (50/box) for approx. $90
• Precision Xtra Ketone Test strips (10/box) for approx. $50.

Other items

• Precision Data cable for about $55
• Precision meter replacement battery for about $10 – 12
• MediSense Control solution pack for about $15

2. Quadmed (quadmed.com)

Purchase Precision Xtra Glucose & Ketone monitoring system at Quadmed for approx. $60.

Kit includes

• Precision Xtra meter
• Lancing device
• Carrying case
• 10 lancets.

Test strips are sold separately

• Precision Xtra glucose test strips (50/box) sold for about $115

3. Amazon (amazon.com)

For about $110, you can get Precision Xtra Glucose & Ketone monitoring system kit at Amazon.

Amazon ships this item to any country.

Kit contains:

• Precision Xtra Ketone & Glucose meter
• Lancing Device
• 100 Lancets
• BD Alcohol Wipes (100ct)
• 10 Precision Xtra Ketone Strips
• Carrying Case

Strips can also be purchased separately

• Precision Xtra Ketone test strips (30 strips) for approx. $35, and (100/box) for approx. $40
• Precision Xtra Glucose test strips (30 strips) for about $15

4. Emergency Medical Product (buyemp.com)

For the price of approx. $50, you can get Precision Xtra Glucose & Ketone monitoring system at Emergency Medical Product.

Kit includes:

• Precision Xtra meter
• Instructions for use
• Alternative site testing cap, used with a lancing device
• Lancing device
• 10 blood glucose test strips
• 10 lancets
• Carrying case
• Battery (pre-installed)

You can also purchase Precision Xtra Glucose Test strips separately

• 50/box for about $50
• 100/box for about $95

Customer reviews

Precision Xtra users on ketogenic diets commonly say that the Precision Xtra Meter has a precise accuracy with a simple design. Most people mentioned the kit from Amazon comes with enough strips and lancets to last about a month. Getting refill strips are also the cheapest on Amazon compared to most of other brands/units with ketone check capability.

One of our female clients, who started using Precision Xtra glucose and ketone monitoring system for the first time admitted it was overwhelming at first but soon found it quick and easy.

One user complained that his meter didn’t work but came up with an ‘E-7’ displayed on the monitor, which indicated that the device was faulty. However, he added that getting a replacement unit was a simple process.

A female user said the lancet device looked sturdy, cheap, fragile and challenging setting up. However, this was not the view of most of our clients and Precision Xtra users.

Conclusion

Over the years, Abbott’s Precision Xtra glucose and ketone monitoring system has made a name for itself and has striven to maintain quality and excellence in their products.

Despite a couple of minor limitations and newly sprung brand competition, it is still preferred by many. It has remained ones of the best recommendations for a glucometer with a ketone testing capability.

Tip: Here are the Top 10 Best Glucose Monitoring Devices of the year.