BG Testing machines

[rubymurry]

Hi to you all!

I have to test my blood very often, I have an insulin pump. However, since being on the pump, something very alarming has come to my notice. We have three machines in our home, two I use, and one my husband uses. I have an accuchek compact for my night use(it's upstairs in my bathroom) and my daytime blood sugars are taken with my one touch ultra machine. I always thought that these machines would always give a very similar reading. Two days ago I tested on my one touch ultra, and I was alarmed that my blood sugar had shot up in 45 mins, more than I thought it should have done. The one touch ultra gave a reading of 12.8!!!!!!!! Oh no! So I thought I'd double check, using the accuchek, 8.3! What's going on? So I tested again on the one touch ultra- 11.1!. Can anyone out there explain this? I wipe my finger before testing, but this time three different results!! I have been told by my diabetic team that when blood sugars go very very low you probably would not get an accurate result, only that you are very low. Your comments would be very helpful.

 

[Northerner]

I've got an Accu-chek Aviva and it came with a control solution that can be used to check the meter's accuracy - might be worth checking this. If you don't have the control solution their helpline will no doubt supply you with some for nothing.

 

[sunflower_harvester]

Hi ruby

Are the machines calibrated and have you checked them with indate test solution?

 

[rubymurry]

Blood testing meters

Thank you both for your advice. I will check that now. Cheers!!

 

[Daisy]

Also make sure they are completely clean and dust free - I uses the aviva but get dodgy readings if it has picked up too much dust in my handbag!

 

[kojack]

When you use your control solution with the ultra, make sure that you squeeze one or two drops out and discard them before using the next one for your test. Also shake the bottle prior to use.

 

[Jules A]

The One Touch Ultra will always give slightly higher results than the Accuchek because it is calibrated to give plasma glucose level whereas the Accuchek is calibrated to give whole blood glucose.

When the hospital tests your blood they centrifuge out the blood cells and only test the plasma. This gives a result that is about 12% higher than if the whole blood is tested. Our self test meters test the whole blood so they normally give a lower reading but lifescan calibrate their meters so that they simulate the plasma level so that the results can be more readily compared with hospital test results.

 

[Northerner]

The One Touch Ultra will always give slightly higher results than the Accuchek because it is calibrated to give plasma glucose level whereas the Accuchek is calibrated to give whole blood glucose.

When the hospital tests your blood they centrifuge out the blood cells and only test the plasma. This gives a result that is about 12% higher than if the whole blood is tested. Our self test meters test the whole blood so they normally give a lower reading but lifescan calibrate their meters so that they simulate the plasma level so that the results can be more readily compared with hospital test results.

I'm confused! So, does this mean that my target range of between 4-7 mmol/l should be the one I see on my Accu-chek Aviva, or is that misleading me into thinking that my BG is lowr than it actually is? If you see what I mean!

 

[Vanessa]

Northerner, good question. Looked up the following info from "Diabetes for Dummies" p130 so hope it helps

Low Risk

Venous plasma glucose: fasting <6.6-6.9 mmol/l
Self monitoring blood glucose: fasting up to 5.5 mmol/l
HbA1c: up to 6.5%

Arterial risk

Venous plasma glucose: fasting 7 mmol/l or over
Self monitoring blood glucose: fasting 5.5-6 mmol/l
HbA1c: 6.5-7.4%

Microvascular risk

Venous plasma glucose: fasting: no separate value given
Self monitoring blood glucose: fasting >6 mmol/l
HbA1c: >7.5%

 

[Jules A]

I'm confused! So, does this mean that my target range of between 4-7 mmol/l should be the one I see on my Accu-chek Aviva, or is that misleading me into thinking that my BG is lowr than it actually is? If you see what I mean!

It doesn't make too much difference (on average if your Accuchek reads 10 the One Touch Ultra will read 11.2). I think most of the difference in your readings was probably down to accuracy of the meters - the manufacturers only claim an accuracy of +/- 20% although I find they are usually more accurate than that. Personally I prefer the OTU which I find more consistant - I found the Accuchek meter results varied quite a lot but as this was my first meter it may just be that I have got better at testing since I've been using the OTU. I use a range of 4 to 8 but I suppose I should be using 4.5 to 9 but I don't think the meters are accurate enough to matter - I just bear it in mind that if I use a different meter the result might be a little lower.

 

[rubymurry]

Thank you all for your input re testing meters. I feel a little ashamed to admit that I did not know that one touch ultra, and accuchek give slightly different results. one giving plasma glucose and the other whole blood glucose. This just confirms that this message board answers all problems regarding diabetes. i just assumed that all meters measured the same re blood. However, I now realise that this is not the case.
It's great to read all the messages from you all. Some of which, brought a smile to my face, especially members saying that when having a hypo they sometimes just ate anything in sight!!! I remember doing this many times, but now I suppose, time has changed my management of diabetes, so five swigs of lucazade seems to be my regime now. However, many things I relate to, and it's great to know that you are all out there, experiencing the same everyday trials and tribulations as myself. It's very comforting to know that I am not alone. Thank you all!!!!

 

[tracey w]

Thank you all for your input re testing meters. I feel a little ashamed to admit that I did not know that one touch ultra, and accuchek give slightly different results. one giving plasma glucose and the other whole blood glucose. This just confirms that this message board answers all problems regarding diabetes. i just assumed that all meters measured the same re blood. However, I now realise that this is not the case.
It's great to read all the messages from you all. Some of which, brought a smile to my face, especially members saying that when having a hypo they sometimes just ate anything in sight!!! I remember doing this many times, but now I suppose, time has changed my management of diabetes, so five swigs of lucazade seems to be my regime now. However, many things I relate to, and it's great to know that you are all out there, experiencing the same everyday trials and tribulations as myself. It's very comforting to know that I am not alone. Thank you all!!!!

dont feel ashamed I didnt know that either!!!

Can anyone tell me about my meter , optium xceed. I was given it by the hospital I can do blood ketone readings on it if I need to, so they recommended it.
does it give plasma or whole glucose readings?

Which meter is best?

 

[kincaidston]

i've got two meters that i use, both from the same manufacturer, lifescan / one touch

i normally use an ultra smart for most occasions but i've got an ultra easy for slipping in my pocket when i go snowboarding as it is smaller, cheaper and i don't worry as much about falling on it

 

[Failedextremeathlete]

Hi all, just done my first BG test after a morning with no food due to work pressures. Felt a bit weird. Have an Accu Chek meter in mmol/l what kind of readings should I be hoping for ? Anyone know where there’s a useful chart for reference at all ? Many thanks

 

[rebrascora]

Hi all, just done my first BG test after a morning with no food due to work pressures. Felt a bit weird. Have an Accu Chek meter in mmol/l what kind of readings should I be hoping for ? Anyone know where there’s a useful chart for reference at all ? Many thanks

Since you are recently diagnosed with an HbA1c of 80 then your fasting reading may not be down into the normal range. Fasting can sometimes give the opposite effect to that which you would expect because the liver pumps out glucose when there is no food forthcoming. This is sometimes referred to as the Dawn Phenomenon when it happens on a morning. The liver may draw back some glucose from your next meal or the meal after so there will be an overall benefit in fasting but it is often not seen in your BG levels when you expect it.
Ideally once your levels are under control you would be hoping to see a reading under 7, but it may take time to come down to that. It depends upon medication and dietary changes and just your general metabolism, to name but a few factors.
Out of interest, what was your reading?

 

[Failedextremeathlete]

Since you are recently diagnosed with an HbA1c of 80 then your fasting reading may not be down into the normal range. Fasting can sometimes give the opposite effect to that which you would expect because the liver pumps out glucose when there is no food forthcoming. This is sometimes referred to as the Dawn Phenomenon when it happens on a morning. The liver may draw back some glucose from your next meal or the meal after so there will be an overall benefit in fasting but it is often not seen in your BG levels when you expect it.
Ideally once your levels are under control you would be hoping to see a reading under 7, but it may take time to come down to that. It depends upon medication and dietary changes and just your general metabolism, to name but a few factors.
Out of interest, what was your reading?

Thanks for the reply. My reading was 6.6 this is at 3pm and I hadn’t had any food at all up until just after. I’ve now just started on metformin slow release one a day (day2) due to my meals being so erratic mainly. I need to take a few readings over a few days to get a base level I suppose.

 

[rebrascora]

If you take a reading before and then 2 hours after you eat food, it will give you an idea of whether the meal you had was dealt with reasonably well by your body or if you need to reduce the carbohydrate content. It doesn't matter too much if you eat at regular times or not but if your BG spikes high for 8-10 hours after eating a particular meal/carbohydrate as mine does if I eat bread or pasta and you continue to eat that meal then your HbA1c will end up being too high even if you only eat one or 2 meals a day which is why testing before and after the meal is important. You are looking at the overall rise caused by the meal.... so if I ate bread for lunch my BG at tea time would still be elevated from lunch and if I then ate pasta that spike would stack onto the previous spike from the bread and my BG in the morning would still be high from the pasta. Some people can tolerate more carbs than others and so testing before and 2 hours after gives you an idea of how your body has reacted to a particular meal and if you need to make adjustments. An increase of no more than 3mmol is considered acceptable for a Type 2. You do need to bear in mind that if the meal is particularly fatty and carby, it may delay the release of the glucose from the carbs into the blood stream and a test at the 3 and perhaps even 4 hour mark afterwards might be more appropriate.

 

[Failedextremeathlete]

If you take a reading before and then 2 hours after you eat food, it will give you an idea of whether the meal you had was dealt with reasonably well by your body or if you need to reduce the carbohydrate content. It doesn't matter too much if you eat at regular times or not but if your BG spikes high for 8-10 hours after eating a particular meal/carbohydrate as mine does if I eat bread or pasta and you continue to eat that meal then your HbA1c will end up being too high even if you only eat one or 2 meals a day which is why testing before and after the meal is important. You are looking at the overall rise caused by the meal.... so if I ate bread for lunch my BG at tea time would still be elevated from lunch and if I then ate pasta that spike would stack onto the previous spike from the bread and my BG in the morning would still be high from the pasta. Some people can tolerate more carbs than others and so testing before and 2 hours after gives you an idea of how your body has reacted to a particular meal and if you need to make adjustments. An increase of no more than 3mmol is considered acceptable for a Type 2. You do need to bear in mind that if the meal is particularly fatty and carby, it may delay the release of the glucose from the carbs into the blood stream and a test at the 3 and perhaps even 4 hour mark afterwards might be more appropriate.

That’s the kind of information I’m after, I will do a second test after 2 hours and see what I come up with. Appreciate your help Barbara