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Different BG readings from same hole

P

Piccyman

Active Member
Messages
32
Location
UK
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello,

I must be doing something wrong,
Yesterday I took 3 readings from the same hole (not sure how you say this) and 2 this morning, and the readings were different.
6.9
7.8
7.1
and today was
5.7
7.8

How can they be different
 
Piccyman said:
Hello,

I must be doing something wrong,
Yesterday I took 3 readings from the same hole (not sure how you say this) and 2 this morning, and the readings were different.
6.9
7.8
7.1
and today was
5.7
7.8

How can they be different
Click to expand...
Have a read through this and feel free to ask any questions if there's something you don't understand.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose-meters/blood-glucose-meter-accuracy.html

To put it simply, your machine isn't that "accurate", it's an estimate at best and has an error margin. This is why you're not getting identical results from the same drop of blood/same site. All BG meters are like this, so you're not doing anything wrong
 
Just to be clear, if you squeezed your finger between application on the test strips, it's also not the same blood...
 
The first was not squeezed, does that make much difference then?
So never squeeze?
 
Hang on...never squeeze? I always squeeze. Is this wrong ?
 
My point wasn't don't squeeze, it was that if you squeeze between measurements from the same "hole" then the blood sample is not the same sample, and the latter ones, if you squeeze will contain additional interstitial fluid, so you wouldn't expect the results to be the same.
 
So if there is such a variant. How can we trust the meter. I had a 4.1 and thought that was strange. So tested a finger on the other hand and then had 6.2. Confused so a third test back on the first hand, same finger, then 6.9. The night before I had 20. There was no way I was that high, so tested again and got 9.1.
 
Could the true you mini gone faulty? Or could it be the test strips. I've only had the strange readings last night and today.
 
You are always lucky to get 2 consecutive readings the same. It is rare.

Our blood rushes round our bodies and takes about 1 minute to do a full circuit. So you have to be very fast between finger pricks if you want to beat it.

Each drop of blood even from the same hole will have a different amount of glucose attached to it, so therefore a different reading.

Meters are only accurate to within +- 15%

The tiniest speck of something on your finger can alter the result, even when you have washed your hands you could have some soap there.

I squeeze mine. I have to. It won't come out otherwise!
 


I have given up on the testing, you might as well guess the number, I bought a cheap tester and an expensive one, and the readings are rubbish on both.
 



maybe, but when they are not even close how can you belive any of the results
 
Piccyman said:
maybe, but when they are not even close how can you belive any of the results
Click to expand...

You will occasionally have a wild reading, either due to human error, meter error or strip error. You can discount these. Providing consecutive readings are within the 15% tolerance, then you have to accept it and take an average for your own records.

If you aren't injecting insulin the differences aren't very important. They will sort themselves out over a period, swings and roundabouts. Trends emerge, and it is trends we are looking for as non-insulin users. Upward trends and downward trends.
 
Piccyman said:
you might as well guess the number
Click to expand...

You seriously ain't got it that bad these days!

When I was dx'd almost 30 years ago as T1, the only way I had of testing was using the kit shown in the image below.

Put some blood on the strip, wait a minute, wipe, wait another minute, compare the colour to the chart on the side of the pack.

Still recall the nurse telling me they were quite expensive so I should cut them in half to get double the amount of tests from the one pack! Got quite adept with scissors.

That colour chart is imprinted in my memory, so recognised it immediately on google images. Cracked me up when I saw the linked page for the image : www.cat-dog-diabetes.com/cats-blood-testing.asp !

I can't remember how long I used those for before meters came in, but managed well enough. Sure, meters can be quirky at times, but if you're not happy with them, maybe you'll have more luck with the old school approach!

Redecorating my house at the moment, might see how some of those tans and blues at the lower readings would work in the kitchen....

 
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