Blood Monitor

[Barb3234]

Grr, I feel cross this morning. I did my FBG - 6.8, great, happy with that. Then, don't know what possessed me, did it again, 8.3!! Ok, not happy with 2 puncturing's, did it again, 7.7. All 3 tests within about 3 minutes. What is going on? How do I interpret such differing results? Not for the first time either. Literally went from good to bad to average in the space of 3 mins.

I am using the accu -check compact meter. Anyone else had similar odd results?

I find it seriously undermines my feeling of keeping on top of my blood sugars. I know there is bound to be a 10% give or take element but from 6.8 to 8.3 seems excessive.

 

[Caroline]

It is difficult to keep on track sometimes.

If I can, I try to avoid testing more than I have to unless I am comming down with something. The main thing is how do you feel in yourself? If I'd done three tests in a short time, I think I'd be inclined to ignore the higher and lower results and take the middle one.

 

[Barb3234]

I agree Caroline, I was kind of going with the middle one. Think I am going to have to watch myself though, I maybe getting just a teensy bit obsessive about the whole thing!

I feel fine in myself, have all along, no symptoms at all. Just a 7.2fbg which my gp said meant that I was undoubtably diabetic. No further testing or appointments or anything since.
If it wasn't for this website I would feel very much alone.

 

[novorapidboi26]

The 8.3 seemed a little off from your first reading, but I think its within tolerance, blood monitors today are not that accurate, so as advised, just try and test the once, unless you get a reading that you really were not expecting......😉

 

[Caroline]

There are quite a lot of us who feel the same about this site.

Don't worry about being obssesive about your health, it is important.

 

[KateR]

Having just opened a new pot of test strips I did a control test and it came out very near the top of the control range, so maybe my results have been better than I thought.

 

[Barb3234]

What's a control test? What does it mean?

 

[Steff]

What's a control test? What does it mean?

Control testing is using the liquid you get for your metre, most people have to ring or most metre manufacturers have a website if you sign up you get free batteries and solution for life, you test your metre with it and it gives you a reading. you use the Control Solution instead of a drop of blood. The test result using control solution should fall within the range of results that you will find
printed on the vial of the test strips that you are using

 

[Mark T]

If I take a couple of readings within a couple of minutes of each other, generally I?ve found them to be identical.

This is probably going to be teaching the basics, and I?m sure that you didn?t do this, but?

1. Did you wash your hands with water only and dry them fully
2. Did you remember not to squeeze the finger to get blood out
3. Did you use the same finger/hand for the repeat tests (although I?ve had matching results on different hands)

There is some research I?ve read that states the second drop of blood (from the same lancet hole) is more accurate then the first ? but sometimes I have trouble getting blood out of the one hole, let alone a second drop.

If in doubt, change the lancet. I assume if it?s a new meter that you don?t need to check the calibration with control solution.

 

[Barb3234]

Thanks Steff, I had no idea such a thing was available. I'll look into signing up for that, very interesting.

Mark, I used soap and water, is that not a good plan then?
I did use the same finger and the blood came out quite easily.

Gosh, there is a lot to learn, isn't there? I'm getting there though. Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated.x

 

[Andy HB]

The 8.3 seemed a little off from your first reading, but I think its within tolerance, blood monitors today are not that accurate, so as advised, just try and test the once, unless you get a reading that you really were not expecting......😉

I think I've heard someone say they can be +/-10% (perhaps a little more). So, if 7.5 is the real reading then it can range from 6.8 thru 8.2 or so. Which is suspiciously close to what you found! 😉

Andy 🙂

 

[Mark T]

...Mark, I used soap and water, is that not a good plan then? ...

It depends...

I've done a few tests where I've smeared one finger in soap and then tested on the clean finger followed by the soapy finger. This was because I've read that some soaps can effect the results. Normally it seems to be ok.

I've had one ultra high reading from using a baby wipe and not cleaning my fingers properly.

My usual mistake is when I don't fully dry my finger properly and the blood gets a little watered down!

Of course some chemicals don't come of the fingers even with washing, if I clean the bathroom you can still smell some of the cleaners on my hands (I hate wearing gloves) for a number of hours later.

 

[Steff]

(I hate wearing gloves)

Your wife told me diffirent she said you love the feel of them on your skin and not just when cleaning

 

[Mark T]

Your wife told me diffirent she said you love the feel of them on your skin and not just when cleaning

A big raspberry to you I think.