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Any tips for using meter?

M

Mikegolfbravo

Member
Messages
12
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Hi,
Got my first meter a few days ago, a TEE2 (bad choice?), but I am using test strips like they were free or something. Just gone through seven trying to get a reading.
I have tried different test sites and can get a relatively large drop of blood but the test strip does not seem to soak it up into the little window a lot of the time.
So wondered if I am getting something basic wrong.
 
Are you getting an Er4 reading?

The main things to consider are:

-Is there enough blood on the end of your finger?
-Are you applying the blood to the test strip as shown in the below video?


It's hard to explain about proper application of the blood when typing, but if you think of the test strip as a straight pipe - you must apply the droplet of blood to the bottom of that pipe. A lot of people try and apply at a sort of 90deg angle at first, you'll soon get the hang of it though
 
Can't find out how to do the quote thing but.....
"-Is there enough blood on the end of your finger?
-Are you applying the blood to the test strip as shown in the below video?"
yes and yes (can't actually play the vid but just going off pic).
 
Yes, I had exactly the same problem on Wednesday with my first readings- I was putting the blood ON the little window at the bottom of the strip. As soon as I worked out how you just touch the very edge at the bottom of the strip, it was totally fine.
 
Mikegolfbravo said:
Can't find out how to do the quote thing but.....
"-Is there enough blood on the end of your finger?
-Are you applying the blood to the test strip as shown in the below video?"
yes and yes (can't actually play the vid but just going off pic).
Click to expand...
I think @Geordie_P has put it across better than I did.
 
You need to kind of scoop the blood up using the very end of the strip..
 
I tend to find that the key seems to be having a large enough drop of blood. If there is enough the strip latches onto it without a problem. I have my lancet on the highest setting so I don't have to go back and do another one.
 
Definitely been using the tip of the strip as the instructions do make all that fairly clear and as I mentioned in original post, I have been waiting until a decent drop of blood forms before putting the tip into it but it doesn't go up sometimes.
 
It may be that the drop of blood is beginning to dry - its surprising how quickly it does. I tend to do my finger prick, then pop the strip in the meter, and then squeeze my finger where I've pricked. If you do this quickly, it doesn't give the blood time to dry and it flows more easily. Fingers crossed you have a bit more success! I wasted 4 strips one time because my hands were cold and wouldn't give up much blood. (I sound like a vampire!)
 
Use the side of the finger, as this does give you a good pool of useable, blood, push the end into the blood droplet edge first,
Always wash your hands and dry completely.
Use ordinary soap and not perfumed too much.
Keep your monitor and strips in a very dry place away from kids.

Keep a food diary, to test properly, you need to record everything, it helps find out what foods you can have and those you can't. It will also show you trends over time, if your bloods are getting better.
 

Could you explain the "edge first" part a bit? I have been holding the meter and strip vertically and try to go into the sample 'squarely'.
I have been finding that the ball of my thumbs seem to be a good place for getting samples.
 
The pocket for testing blood is good at drawing blood into it. So if you go into the droplet with the edge of the strip (narrow end) at a reasonable angle the strip and momentum should be enough to get a good enough sample
Mikegolfbravo said:
Could you explain the "edge first" part a bit? I have been holding the meter and strip vertically and try to go into the sample 'squarely'.
I have been finding that the ball of my thumbs seem to be a good place for getting samples.
Click to expand...

for the monitor to work.
I've never used my thumb!
 
Still treating myself like a pin cushion, I read something in another forum about some meters allow you to add blood to a strip if you don't get enough on first time, I have been searching and reading details on various sites but haven't found one yet, would anyone know which meters do this or if there is anything like a detailed list of meter specs/features about.
I am wondering if some of the strips I have may be faulty as I can get quite a big sample and no matter how I go at it the strips will not seem to soak it up.
 
My Contour Next will ask for more blood but you need to be quickish before it times out.

I've found it best to have warm hands, give them a bit of a shake downwards, rub my finger - anything to get plenty of blood flowing - and then make sure I've got a big enough drop of blood before I test. Sliding the test strip along flat into the base of the drop should generally pick up enough for the test.

Some meters will also accept more (or less) blood than others - I've used one recently that completely threw me for a while until I got the drop size sussed for it - it needed a bigger one than the Contour!

Also be careful handling the strip - use the edges if possible, and make doubly sure that your hand is clean & free from grease or oils as you may possibly get something on the end that could prevent the blood from making contact properly?

Robbity

PS A bit of a daft question as the meter should tell you, but are you putting the strip in the right way up and the right end into the meter?? And waiting until it's actually ready to accept the blood?
 
Robbity said:
Robbity

PS A bit of a daft question as the meter should tell you, but are you putting the strip in the right way up and the right end into the meter?? And waiting until it's actually ready to accept the blood?
Click to expand...
Yes, yes & yes.
I found it needs a drop of blood about 1mm dia. minimum, but even then it wont travel up the strip every time. I don't have much success getting enough out of my fingers even with the needle thing on 6.
I got an extra 2 tubs of strips with this meter but they won't last much longer at this rate so think I will look at trying something else.
 
I would suggest (this is what I do)
Get out test strip and meter (don't insert strip into meter yet).
Prick side of finger somewhere along the top joint (my thumb never produces enough).
Squeeze finger to get nice blob of blood 1-2mm in diameter.
Without disturbing blob insert strip so meter turns on and asks for blood sample.
Hold meter at a roughly 45 degree angle to finger. Slide end of strip into blob of blood.
Voila.. well usually ..
And if you really want to know how pernickety I am I record if its the left or right hand and inside or outside of the finger and always start at the little finger first to ensure I get a good rotation. So FBG always from little finger. There.. now that's an admission..
 
I tend to turn the monitor on first, then prick my finger - I tend to find the pad of the index or ring finger best. Once you've got a large enough drop (usually the size of a small polystyrene ball), I insert the strip into the monitor. It then takes a second or two to be ready for the sample, then its a case of dip the strip into the side of the blood drop, and it sort of grabs it and does the rest. (good lord we sound like vampires!)
 
And after my good advice yesterday what happened today? Used 3 strips before I could get a reading. The difference? Cold hands - it seems to stop the blood droplet being easily grabbed.
 
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