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Different BG results
- Thread starter mummyange
- Start date
- Status
Inka
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
That’s normal @mummyange If he pricks more than once, then he should go with the average. Really, unless he thinks he’s had a false result, once is enough usually.
Docb
Moderator
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Some time ago I tested all 10 digits one after another to find out how reproducible finger prick readings were and reported the results here:
forum.diabetes.org.uk
I came to the conclusion that the number after the decimal point was a bit of an illusion and it was best to round the reading to the nearest whole number and then not be surprised if a second reading was one or two units higher or lower. Do your son's results fit that pattern?
Blood glucose monitors are brilliant bits of kit and to me it is a miracle that they can even get close to giving a blood glucose measurement but it is important to realise that they are subject to error.
What's in a number?
We have a lot of members, particularly those new to testing, asking about blood test results and what they mean or what is a "good" number. As many of you are aware I like numbers, mostly because they are what they are and do not have any opinion. This morning, I woke up, got out of bed, did a...
forum.diabetes.org.uk
I came to the conclusion that the number after the decimal point was a bit of an illusion and it was best to round the reading to the nearest whole number and then not be surprised if a second reading was one or two units higher or lower. Do your son's results fit that pattern?
Blood glucose monitors are brilliant bits of kit and to me it is a miracle that they can even get close to giving a blood glucose measurement but it is important to realise that they are subject to error.
Last edited:
Martin.A
Well-Known Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
If I get an unexpectedly higher or lower result that usual I always switch hands and do a second test, and if it's similar I just take the average. If there's a big difference I'll do a third test and average the two that are closest, but as @Docb says you could test all six fingers and get a different result for each one.
Can I ask what is the difference just because on pens. I'm wouldn't do any different for a 7.5 then I would for a 6.5 for instance.
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Sorry to hear this is causing him so much anxiety @mummyange 
It’s a common frustration - and as @Docb says, it’s not really helped by the apparent decimal point accuracy of values.
Some meters perform more consistently and repeatably than others from strip to strip, but under the guidelines a degree of variation is still permitted.
This from the ‘Useful Links’ page (Newbie’s section) shows the allowed upper and lower limits from a variety of glucose values…
BG meter accuracy
It can be quite disconcerting for members new to self monitoring of blood glucose to get different results from BG readings taken close together, even when carefully following manufacturers guidance (washing hands etc). All meters for sale in the UK should comply with the following ISO standards 95% of the time, which allows a degree of variation (and 5% of results can read anything at all). If in any doubt, or if a reading doesn’t match how you are feeling, you should check again with a fresh strip.
It’s a common frustration - and as @Docb says, it’s not really helped by the apparent decimal point accuracy of values.
Some meters perform more consistently and repeatably than others from strip to strip, but under the guidelines a degree of variation is still permitted.
This from the ‘Useful Links’ page (Newbie’s section) shows the allowed upper and lower limits from a variety of glucose values…
BG meter accuracy
It can be quite disconcerting for members new to self monitoring of blood glucose to get different results from BG readings taken close together, even when carefully following manufacturers guidance (washing hands etc). All meters for sale in the UK should comply with the following ISO standards 95% of the time, which allows a degree of variation (and 5% of results can read anything at all). If in any doubt, or if a reading doesn’t match how you are feeling, you should check again with a fresh strip.
- Status