• Guest - w'd love to know what you think about the forum! Take the 2025 Survey »

How long does a blood glucose meter last?

S

Schmoukes

Well-Known Member
Messages
70
Hi - I am getting some inconsistent numbers from my meter (9 months old). It’s told me I’m in a hypo a couple of times with readings of under 4. When I try again, it’s 4.8 instead of 3.8. Do you think I need to replace it? I was only diagnosed in Nov last year so it’s my first one.
 
Maybe it needs a replacement battery although I would expect the display to show a warning if that was the case. Problems with meters are normally due to the strips rather than the actual meter.
 
Mr_Pot said:
Maybe it needs a replacement battery although I would expect the display to show a warning if that was the case. Problems with meters are normally due to the strips rather than the actual meter.
Click to expand...

It is a new tube of strips! I’ll switch to another tube & try that. Thank you.
 
At the level you mention in this posting, the meter is required to give a reading that is within +/- 0.7 mmol/l This means that two readings on the same meter even on the same drop of blood can differ by up to 1.4 mmol/l and still be within specification. Readings of 5 and above, then the reading must be within +/- 15% of the true value. All meters being sold today need to meet this requirement.
 

It’s a big margin of error, isn’t it. Just seems odd in the last couple of days to see these really low levels that I have never seen before. Thank you for the guidance.
 

I've had my metre since July 2018 and I've only had to replace my battery once
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn More.…