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Mark Rawlinson

Well-Known Member
Messages
355
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Does any one else find that some times when doing a finger prick test the results can be suddenly alarmingly high
2 days ago after decent lower numbers I got a 17.4 so did a second test and got 6.4 which I was happy with,
I am using a Contour Plus Blue with Asensia Contour Blue testing strips.
 
theres an error of margin with meters. roughly 10% variance. could depend on a few factors such as if fasting levels or recently digesting some prior complex carbs.. eg macronni for me doesnt appear to make much difference for first couple of hours then raised levels before very slowly coming back down. first droplet wipe away, squeeze again incase its caused by any contamination (eg a little water on finger if not dry - would result in lower figure showing, same as if touched something which has some sugars... could then show as much higher). it could also be worth checking the date on the strips if close to expiry date. could be combination of above.
 
Yes, I’ve had it happen to me on occasion, pulls you up sharp doesn’t it! I’m diet only keto diet so I don’t test a real lot now, only when I have a meal or food new to me & every so often I will have a few days of intensive testing just to make sure I’m on the right track still. The last time it happened was during an intensive testing week.

I got a 14 something 2 hours after a well tested very low carb meal. Washed my hands properly (I usually just wipe with a damp cloth) & retested twice & was in the low 5s. Then I remembered I’d cut up an apple & banana for my son about 30 minutes before the test - phew!
 
Thing is these were same pack of strips, same finger and same drop of blood I didnt re jab as there was still enough blood left
but yes it is alarming
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
Does any one else find that some times when doing a finger prick test the results can be suddenly alarmingly high
2 days ago after decent lower numbers I got a 17.4 so did a second test and got 6.4 which I was happy with,
I am using a Contour Plus Blue with Asensia Contour Blue testing strips.
Click to expand...
As well as the permitted max 15% variance in glucometer results, there is also an allowable standard for completely off-the-wall results. If I recall correctly it's no more than 5% - ie 19 of 20 must be within the 15%, but one in twenty can be outside that.

I suspect that most glucometers usually do much better than that, but in over five years testing I've had a few completely rogue results. I've also once or twice accidentally re-used a test strip - that can produce a much higher than expected result.
 
KennyA said:
As well as the permitted max 15% variance in glucometer results, there is also an allowable standard for completely off-the-wall results. If I recall correctly it's no more than 5% - ie 19 of 20 must be within the 15%, but one in twenty can be outside that.

I suspect that most glucometers usually do much better than that, but in over five years testing I've had a few completely rogue results. I've also once or twice accidentally re-used a test strip - that can produce a much higher than expected result.
Click to expand...
Mine won't let you use a previously used strip, comes up with E1
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
Mine won't let you use a previously used strip, comes up with E1
Click to expand...
Yes, I guess it depends on the type of meter used.
I would get an error message with the gluco navii if I tried to use a test strip that had been used previously.
I once had a very high reading when I had some diluted toothpaste on my fingers after cleaning my teeth. Just emphasised the need to wash with soap and rinse and dry hands before testing.
 
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