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Help taking bloods

S

Sophie84

New Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 2
Jut started daily testing using the True Metrix Air. The test itself is easy to do, and the app is great, but it's consistently not reading my test. I've done 5 this morning and given up. I used a new strip each time and different finger. Used all the guidance had a big enough sample etc. The error codes were E2 and E3 but these indicate to use a new strip and fresh sample. Today I've given up but if do stressed I start my new meds in Tuesday and have to make sure I get reading before driving. What do I do? I can't think of what I'm doing wrong.
 
Sophie84 said:
Jut started daily testing using the True Metrix Air. The test itself is easy to do, and the app is great, but it's consistently not reading my test. I've done 5 this morning and given up. I used a new strip each time and different finger. Used all the guidance had a big enough sample etc. The error codes were E2 and E3 but these indicate to use a new strip and fresh sample. Today I've given up but if do stressed I start my new meds in Tuesday and have to make sure I get reading before driving. What do I do? I can't think of what I'm doing wrong.
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Have you done a test with the control solution? If the meter and strips are OK you should get the reading it specifies.
I am not familiar with the particular model so can't give you any more suggestions.
 
I did have a look in my pack for this but haven't been sent any control solution. I'll try another test strip pack maybe the first batch was faulty only 2 out of the 10 pack actually read.
 
Sophie84 said:
I did have a look in my pack for this but haven't been sent any control solution. I'll try another test strip pack maybe the first batch was faulty only 2 out of the 10 pack actually read.
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Are you making sure the sample is sucked into the test strip not applied on top. If the drop is too big it can flood the strip.
As the same is happening with every strip it looks as if it is technique.
The meter web site has a video of explanation of error codes.
It is not a monitor that I have heard of people using, where did you get it as it may need you to return as faulty as long as you think you are using correctly and your strips are in date.
What medication are you taking that you need to test before driving?
 
I think the errors suggest that the incorrect amount of blood is getting onto the strip - either too much or too little. The trick with testing is to dip the end of the test strip into the drop of blood and allow it to do its thing. A sample of blood will be sucked up onto the active part of the strip and this will be the amount it needs. Is this what you are doing?
 
Have you watched some YouTube videos of people testing their BG to make sure you are doing it correctly? There are lots of YouTube tutorials on testing BG levels with various different meters.
Are you waiting until the meter tells you it is ready for the blood?
Then the idea is just to touch the very tip of the test strip to the drop of blood and capillary action will suck the blood up into the sample channel in the test strip. So you don't put blood on the test strip as such, but just touch it to the drop of blood and allow it to "suck up" what it needs. Generally my meter is above the drop of blood when I take the sample so that the test strip is angled at about a 45 degree downward angle.
If you don't hold it steady and you lose contact with the spot of blood whilst it is taking the sample, you don't get enough, so you have to hold it quite steady until it beeps to tell you that it has enough. I do this by steadying my hands on a solid surface.
 
I thought I was but I'll try to get it more towards the end of the strip and try not to touch it with my finger so it takes what it needs. Thank you all really helpful tips x
 
rebrascora said:
Have you watched some YouTube videos of people testing their BG to make sure you are doing it correctly? There are lots of YouTube tutorials on testing BG levels with various different meters.
Are you waiting until the meter tells you it is ready for the blood?
Then the idea is just to touch the very tip of the test strip to the drop of blood and capillary action will suck the blood up into the sample channel in the test strip. So you don't put blood on the test strip as such, but just touch it to the drop of blood and allow it to "suck up" what it needs. Generally my meter is above the drop of blood when I take the sample so that the test strip is angled at about a 45 degree downward angle.
If you don't hold it steady and you lose contact with the spot of blood whilst it is taking the sample, you don't get enough, so you have to hold it quite steady until it beeps to tell you that it has enough. I do this by steadying my hands on a solid surface.
Click to expand...
Thank you that's really helpful
 
Having been testing for ages, I suddenly was being impatient and being too quick, not waiting for the beep, and I was getting an E3 error. Stupidly wasted strips.
 
Let us know how you get on. It is a technique which just comes with practice and many of us didn't get it right at first. I find You Tube tutorials really good for all sorts of stuff including repairing cars!
 
Hi, as above it might be technique. Mine (GlucoRX) says to place the strip at a 45 degree angle to the drop of blood, and the strips then "sucks" up the blood, via capillary action.
Also make sure your hands are clean and warm.
Also make sure the strips are not out of date?
Cheers
 
Do check the strips for the AgaMatrix @Sophie84

Some meters’ strips are ‘end slurpers’, and others are ‘side slurpers’, so there can be a slightly different knack with different ones.

Hope you are able to results reliably soon 🙂
 
May be worth warming your finger in warm water before-hand to dilate the capillaries; Told to me by a nurse.
 
Having used a few different meters over the years, I found some are more fussy than others. Even the ones that are on the more expensive end of the spectrum.
 
Thank you all I think I've managed to master the technique. I was doing a few things wrong. It's worked by putting the sample under the strip at a 45 degree angle and waiting for it to suck it up to the top of the strip. Fingers crossed. I used 7 strips this morning trying to get it right! Would be so useful to have practice session on this with a nurse. Can't begin to tell you how upset I was yesterday. Thank you so much everyone for your help and support x
 
Glad to hear you have got it sorted!
 
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