Testing...

[Sharron1]

Just a simple question. Bit nervous about asking (not the question, just the asking)please no intemperate replies. Like many people the last few months have taken their toll and feeling a little fragile. Now for the question. I did my finger prick a little under 2 hours and it was 7.5 (which is ok) but am usually 6ish. I took it not 10 minutes later and it was 6.4 (my normal number). I didn't realise that these additional 10 minutes would make such a difference. In future should I hold back and stick to the two hours? Stay safe.

 

[stephknits]

Hi Sharron, good question, I think lots of people wonder about timings. To be honest, you could have got near enough those two readings at the same time using different fingers. I think as long as the numbers are broadly in line with what you expect them to be, then this is the information you take from it. Might be useful to stick to same time, but I wouldn't have thought ten minutes either way would make much of a difference. I'm not that great with numbers and stats though, so might get a different answers from others! Sorry to hear you are feeling a bit fragile, sending a virtual hug of encouragement.

 

[Inka]

Hi @Sharron1 Don’t be nervous about asking. There are lots of friendly people here, and there’s always someone who can help. Things are stressful at the moment and diabetes never helps.

To answer your question, meters have a margin of error. This means you can test two times in a row and get two different results. I take my result as a ballpark figure eg if I get a 6.5, I assume I’m somewhere in the 6s or possibly high 5s/low 7s.

So, your actual real blood sugar maybe didn’t change much although you got two different numbers, so I wouldn’t worry. I would however try to stick to testing around the same time just for consistency but I wouldn’t worry if that wasn’t always possible as long as I could see my blood sugar was in range.

 

[Becka]

I believe the margin of error for glucometers is around 15%, so for your reading of 7.5 your blood levels could have been as low as 6.4, and for you 6.4 your reading could have been as high as 7.4.

You should treat the readings as being more general rather than specific. That is they tell you the general area of your blood levels at the time you test rather than being an exact figure.

 

[KARNAK]

Don`t overconcern yourself @Sharron1, if we all had to stick to the minute of the clock DSN`s would be inundated with worrying calls.

You did the correct thing and rechecked if you are not happy with your readings although both your readings
would suit me. No wonder you are feeling a bit fragile with everything that`s going on, just do your testing and if you have a particular regime try not to stray too far from it. The forum is here for you so please use it as often as you need, also sending {{{HUGS}}}.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

while most meters often exceed the ISO accuracy requirements, and offer very accurate results, if you look at the allowable spread of results, and how much they overlap you’ll see that worrying over a digit here or there is only going to cause you upset. It’s also why rechecking the same foods a few times is often worthwhile before abandoning any food items as irredeemably ‘spiky’. That way you can get an average response based on different days and different strips 🙂

 

[rebrascora]

Whilst I agree with the other answers about variation in meter readings and just using it as a general guide, it is also possible/likely even that your BG was coming down from an earlier spike. The important thing is that both readings are under 8.5 which is what you are aiming for once you are getting in range readings.... Obviously for newly diagnosed people whose BG is already higher than that, then aiming for no more than 3 mmols rise 2 hours after food is more of a guide. The timing and steepness of the BG spike from food will depend on the type of carbs you ate and your digestive system/metabolism, so it may be that you spiked higher earlier still maybe at the one hour point but the important thing is that at both an hour and 50mins and 2 hours later you are in range, which is what you are aiming for.

 

[Sharron1]

while most meters often exceed the ISO accuracy requirements, and offer very accurate results, if you look at the allowable spread of results, and how much they overlap you’ll see that worrying over a digit here or there is only going to cause you upset. It’s also why rechecking the same foods a few times is often worthwhile before abandoning any food items as irredeemably ‘spiky’. That way you can get an average response based on different days and different strips 🙂

Thanks, this is really useful.

 

[Sharron1]

Whilst I agree with the other answers about variation in meter readings and just using it as a general guide, it is also possible/likely even that your BG was coming down from an earlier spike. The important thing is that both readings are under 8.5 which is what you are aiming for once you are getting in range readings.... Obviously for newly diagnosed people whose BG is already higher than that, then aiming for no more than 3 mmols rise 2 hours after food is more of a guide. The timing and steepness of the BG spike from food will depend on the type of carbs you ate and your digestive system/metabolism, so it may be that you spiked higher earlier still maybe at the one hour point but the important thing is that at both an hour and 50mins and 2 hours later you are in range, which is what you are aiming for.

Thanks... diabetes is so fickle