Customer Reviews

Bayer A1C Now At-Home A1C System, Self Check

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Product arrived on time. I tested my A1C and compared it with the one I had drawn at the lab the accuracy of the test was right on. I am very happy to have a home test to keep my diabetes in check.

I was skeptical about this home A1C so i did one test at the lab at almost the same time. The results were very similar for both. It was very easy to use and the price (per test - 2 included) was about 1/4 of going to a lab.

I had high hopes and was beginning to depend on this when
I found its results were way off from lab results done within.
1 hour. A1c tests should not vary much if done within close
proximity since A1c reflects 2-3 months average.

For me it was off by a count of 1.2 which is unacceptable.
.1 .2 or even .3 is understandable but 1.2 ? that's as good
as no test done.

I was hopeful that these kits were accurate, but I discovered that you cannot rely on the results. I did a little test. I bought 2 of these kits from 2 different vendors. Each box had 2 test kits. Each box was from a different lot. Each had 2 different expiration dates, but both were well within the expiration dates (by almost a year). Neither of the "temp exceeded" dots were red, indicating that both boxes had not exceeded the temperature requirements. I got everything set up and did simultaneous tests, using blood from the same "stick" and waited for the results.

After the 5 minutes were up, I read the results. The one test diagnosed my A1C at 6.3 and the other diagnosed it at 5.4. That's a significant difference. I realize that there may be many factors relating to the storage of this product before it's shipped that could return erroneous results. But that makes it even worse and you still can't trust the outcome of the test. The fact is, the test results didn't even come close to matching, even with all things being equal.

My analysis indicates that you positively cannot trust the test results from this product, as it's currently being sold. If you want accurate A1C results, have the test done by a lab, not an at-home test kit.

I've been Type 1 for 12 years. I have taken nearly 50 A1c tests from sending blood work to labs or through the doctor's office in-house testing kit (which seems very similar to A1c now). I test my blood glucose levels 12+ times per day, which is over 52,000 times so far in my lifetime. I am not bad with electronics, I've dealt with the insulin pumps and I currently use a Dexcom 7+. I am not new to this stuff.

I received the A1c Now kit in the mail. It was shipped to my PO Box and I picked it up the same day it was shipped. The PO was air-conditioned and it was only 65 degrees outside that day. There is a marking on the back of the A1cNow kit that will change color if the meter has been over-heated at any time prior to use. This marking registered that everything was in good condition. I waited approx an hour before I took the kit out. Upon opening the cartridge and inserting it, the meter gave me an error OR 6. I called the help desk and the lady told me that the kit was overheated at some point, which would cause the error code. She asked me to use the second kit while I was on the line with her. The 2nd cartridge also gave error OR 6.

I had to argue with them to ship me another product. The marking on the back of the box said it was never over-heated and then the kits both said that it was. I know that I didn't leave it in the sunlight, nor did I have any place hot because it is still springtime. The air is cool, and so are the buildings.

Finally, I received my replacement kit. I brought the kit home and waited another hour to make sure the meter was at room temperature. My house is approx 60-64 degrees at all times. When I put in the first cartridge, the meter read error code OR 5. This error code means the meter is too cold. wtf?

I waited about 10 minutes, with the meter pressed between my palms to warm it up. Meanwhile, my blood sample was sitting when it's not supposed to sit for more than 5 mins, but what choice did I have? I took the cartridge out, and re-inserted it. FINALLY, it was ready for a blood sample.

My A1c reading came off as 6.9. Do I trust this? I don't know. Do I want to re-test? After three aggravating times, probably not. Will I use this product again? Only if there are no other options. I would rather wait for the lab.

My wife was curious what her A1C was and could not wait for the lab results to arrive so we purchase the Bayer A1C Now self check. We watched the little DVD for procedural instructions and got everything ready. The system was very easy and it was reasonably fast. When the readout appeared the number was 6.0. My wife was delighted because she thought she was about 7.0 given that she had not been keeping as tight control. A day later the A1C lab results arrived from her test 1 week before. The results were 6.9. How could this box claim on the front "lab accurate"? The results were almost a full point off. Take the results of the test with a grain of salt. Just go to the lab if you want an accurate result.

Unfortunately, I had to come back and change my review. I originally give it a five star, now I give it a one star.. This unit only worked good on my first purchase. I brought 3 more boxes after that, and they never worked. Customer service was no help either... Don't bother with this product. I'm for real!!!!!!

Went to a local pharmacy which had a clinic and got my A1C checked. They used
the Bayer A1c self check.

My resuly was 6.6. I check my blood sugars every day twice a day and my week to monthly
average is 115-125.

I asked the nurse how accurate the reading was since my A1c three months earlier was 6.1. I was
concerned I'm eating the same thing, my reading are about the same. I asked again how accurate
the reading was and she reassured me again 100% accurate.

An hour later I went to my doctor to draw blood to be sent to the lab.

The next day my result was 6.1.

How many inaccurate results are being given to diabetics? Its scary to think there I was 5 points
hight ready to make some lifestyle changes, feeling depressed that I wasn't doing a good enough job and all that worry was inaccurate.

To all diabetics don't buy this. Go to your doctor and send your blood to the lab. You will feel
at ease.

I'm a type 2 diabetic - diagnosed in 12-08. My first professional lab A1c test was on 4-8-09 which indicated 6.0% after 3 months of diet & lifestyle modifications only - no medications. On 3-31-10, I had professional labs again which showed that my A1c was still 6.0% - exactly where it was a year ago. Just to see what level of accuracy I could expect from an inexpensive home A1c test kit, I purchased the Bayer A1c Now kit & just completed the test today (4-17-10). I was all ready to write a review saying "You can save the cost of two doctor visits with this great $30.00 kit." Unfortunately, it looks like you really do get exactly what you pay for. It indicated 6.8%. I'm sure glad I didn't rely on this piece of junk. I strongly suggest you don't, either.

Tried it twice, first time of by +0.4 (compared to a lab test) the second of by +0.5 (Compared to mail in lab test Reli-on).
Easy to use, but why use it if you can mail a Reli-on kit in for more accurate results (3 to 5 days, cost < $10).