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How often do meters need recalibrating?

W

welshtony

Well-Known Member
Messages
50
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I use an Accu-chek Aviva (and have done for 9 months), and recently started also using an Accu-chek Aviva Nano (one I use at home, the other at work). I'm following a lower carb diet, with decent success to date (Hba1c results down from 6.2 to 6.0 last time checked; still diet and exercise only), but am struggling to lose more weight (still BMI over 35) now.

In the last 3 weeks, my readings on my Aviva have started going up, and have been in the 7-8 range for FBG, usually after 40 mins aerobic exercise. A month or so back they were 6-7, and a few months back, I got the occasional 5. I am about 60% through a box of strips, using 1/2 a day.

I have had a couple of major cortisone injections in an injured shoulder over the last 3 months, but thought they'd have a short term effect, rather than a long term one. The last one was 8 weeks ago now.

Today I checked myself an hour after breakfast (fat free yoghourt with 8gms of carbs and a small handful of blueberries) and was 7.4 (7.8 FBG).

But I immediately rechecked myself with the Nano, and got a reading of 6.4.

I have previously done a couple of joint readings, and the Nano was 0.6/7 under the Aviva, and I far prefer the Nano readings :lol:

I have been reading the Aviva information, and it says that I should go through a control solution process if I feel the results are too low or high. I recall doing this when I first got my meter, but never since.

So I'll do the control check on the Aviva, but I'd be interested to hear others' views on how likely this is to be misreading, and how often you recalibrate your own meters?
 
Hi tony.

Meters do not get recalibrated other than at a laboratory. If you think there is a problem with the readings then use the control solutions to check. There should be 2. A low and a high solution. If, after using the solutions these readings are within the tolerances, there is nothing to worry about.

As for using different meters in quick succession I would be very surprised if you got anywhere near the same readings. A test would have to be done under laboratory conditions and all the variables would have to be taken into account such as heat, moisture, temperature etc...
If after doing the control solution tests you are still concerned contact the Accu-Chek helpline. They are usually very helpful. (0800 701 1000) UK

Incidentally, if you do a search on meters on the site you will get over 1650 hits ! This question has been asked many times before, always with the same response.

As for your Bg readings both the exercise and the cortisone (steroids) may well still be affecting your readings.

You need to discuss with your GP if this carries on . Ask the treating physician how long the steroid therapy will have an effect on your blood sugar levels. Have a read here:
http://www.diabetesmonitor.com/steroids.htm


As for exercise.... How Exercise Affects Glucose Levels An extract:

In most cases, exercise lowers blood glucose levels. As muscles do their work, they obtain energy from glucose stored in the muscle cells as glycogen. When these supplies of glycogen run low, glucose from the bloodstream is used as an energy source. After exercise, the body replaces the stores of glycogen in the muscle cells and liver, which lowers blood glucose levels even more. This drop can take place many hours after exercising.

Exercise can also have the opposite effect and raise blood glucose. This usually occurs when blood glucose levels are too high (usually over 13 mmol/l.) before exercising, which indicates that insulin activity is too low. In addition, very strenuous exercise can stimulate the liver to release extra glucose into the bloodstream, due to an increase in adrenaline.

Here is the full article:
http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com ... MP=OTC-RSS
American but still a good read.

Hope that helps ?

Ken.
 
Good answer Ken
nothing to add
Hana
 
Ken

Thanks for the explanation about meter accuracy and different ones.

I have come onto this site irregularly since about November, but don't recall seeing threads about this before. But having searched back through some of the other threads, I can see it has been a popular topic.

I suppose I now have a new question, though.

If there are inherant differences between meters, how do I know what target to be going for? I've been aiming at 6.5 after 2 hours (based on the guidance here: http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/14045524.php, and was happy with FBG's in the 6 range; but I'm unhappy with them rising into the 7s. Especially reading this, from the same site:

Blood Sugars Creeping Up
If you started out low carbing to control an abnormal blood sugar, whether it be prediabetic or full fledged diabetic, and if you see your fasting blood sugar or your post-meal blood sugars creeping up even on a very low daily and meal-by-meal carbohydrate intake, your body is sending you a very strong message that you need more help than diet alone will provide.

If I just use the Nano, they'll be back in the 6s!

But I'm more concerned with the apparent rising trend over the last 3 months. And I did checkout the cortisone site, but think that my shoulder injection should have worked through the bloodstream by now. I'm a bit annoyed that the surgeon who gave it me didn't mention the likley impact on my BGs. After they'd gone up with the first one, I mentioned it to him and all he said was that diabetics more often needed repeat (corisone) treatment than non-diabetics. I couldn't get a contact no for him when I called the hospital, but I'll try again, and see if I can send them an email.
 
Hi Tony.

First of all meters. There is not really much to choose between any CE marked meter today. They are all made to the same standards and tested before coming on the market. Try to stick to one meter for your main testing then any discrepancy will show up. Swapping between meters just confuses the issue. I keep one in the car, but I never compare readings. That would be counter productive.

Yes. I have seen that guidance and it is great if you can achieve it. However, the UK Feb 2009 NICE guidance figures are as follows:
Fasting (waking).................between 4 - 7 mmol/l.
2 hrs after meals................no more than 8.5 mmol/l.

These are not my figures, they are the National Institute of Clinical Excellence in the UK.
Some people say they are too lax.....not my problem. I try and keep well below them if I can. I think the other figures are sometimes too tight ?
As you are on diet only I believe it is possible that the levels are creeping up and you may have to consider some meds, usually Metformin which is the first stage drug after diet only. The other thing to consider is just what you eat may be giving you that rise ?

I think that really your GP is the best person to discuss this with.

Ken.
 
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