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Just did my first meter test, what do the results mean?

MoorT2

Well-Known Member
Messages
104
Hi,

So I just did my first meter test after taking delivery of my test strips.

Firstly not sure I did it right as it did sting a little, is that normal or should it be painless?

Secondly my result was 7.1 mmol.
It was mid afternoon, around 3:50. Had lunch about 3 hours before and some peanuts 45 minutes before.

Is this high or about where it should be ?

Thanks
 
In order to get meaningful readings, it's a good idea to test just before you take your first bite, then two hours after. Note down the two readings, what you ate, and the quantity of carbs.

You should soon find a pattern of what raises your blood sugar levels. To begin with, we are detectives looking for clues about safe foods and safe quantities. Then we can make menus which won't spike us

Once you get a handle on that, you won't need to test so much. I tested a lot for the first few months. Now I have a few days of testing every month, to make sure my response hasn't changed.
 
Ps remember to use the side of your fingertips, not the middle.
 
7.1 is pretty good. I feel you have muddied the water a little by eating a meal then eating again shortly afterwards.
You’ll get a better idea of how your body is coping with your diet by testing right as you start eating and then two hours after that first bite. If the post meal reading is no more than 2 mmol/l higher and no higher than 7.8, it will tell you all is good.

Edit for typo
 
Another low diagnostic pickup.
Won't sound like it now but you'll thank your lucky stars in the future that you we're caught on the bottom rung of the diagnostic ladder.
I've read posters in here that weren't even slapped with a diagnosis at your levels, the doctor gave them 3 months to get serious.

The peanuts probably had more effect of your test than the lunch 3 hours previous.
Check just before your evening meal then 2 hours afterwards.
Then don't eat anything until tomorrow morning & check then for a proper fasting reading.
 
MoorT2 said:
Yeah I went for the side , though having re-read the manual I did use it incorrectly.
Click to expand...
What did you do wrong, I’m not sure you can do much wrong (apart from perhaps not washing your hands first). Meters are very good at giving an error code, for things such as, not enough blood, inserting a previously used strip or not applying the blood quickly enough, to state a few
 

Thanks for the link, that's really helpful in being able to convert the meter readings to Hb1Ac measurements,

So the 7.1 would be around 43, but I guess everyone (even normies) see some level of spike after eating.
 

I'm not sure I want to confess as it was a very stupid and basic error that led to me being jabbed a bit hard I think
 
Oh, and should I change the lance everytime (per the instructions) - I've seen some people posting that they use theirs multiple times before a change.
 
MoorT2 said:
Oh, and should I change the lance everytime (per the instructions) - I've seen some people posting that they use theirs multiple times before a change.
Click to expand...
The official advice is to use a new one each time. I change mine twice a week (if I remember) some change them on their birthday! I would advise to rotate which fingers you use and change the lancet once a day perhaps to begin with.
 
MoorT2 said:
Oh, and should I change the lance everytime (per the instructions) - I've seen some people posting that they use theirs multiple times before a change.
Click to expand...
I change my Lancet once a month and only use it for me

I forgot to warn you that the thing the Lancet goes in has a dial to get your comfort level. I have mine on 2.5. I didn't realize this the first few times and bled all over the strip and table
 
MoorT2 said:
Oh, and should I change the lance everytime (per the instructions) - I've seen some people posting that they use theirs multiple times before a change.
Click to expand...
If you are sharing - YES!
If it's only you using the lance then its a personal choice. Many od us change it either when we feel it's getting blunt, or after a set period such as 1 week if testing very often, or 1 month if testing moderately often or every few months if testing rarely (which is me right now).
 
MoorT2 said:
I'm not sure I want to confess as it was a very stupid and basic error that led to me being jabbed a bit hard I think
Click to expand...
One of my lancers (definitely not my favourite one!) has a little wheel at the bottom for the depth setting, which is easily moved without noticing. So with that one it's always a surprise if it will make you yelp and bleed all over the cat or if no blood at all will come out.

I'm a 3 times a year lancet changer (testing 3-4 times a day), or whenever someone else wants to have a go with my meter, whichever comes first.
Rachox said:
What did you do wrong, I’m not sure you can do much wrong (apart from perhaps not washing your hands first).
Click to expand...
In the Netherlands it isn't even strongly adviced to wash hands, at least not by my diabetes nurse, unless you've been handling food or get an unexpected reading. Suits me well.
 
Antje77 said:
In the Netherlands it isn't even strongly adviced to wash hands, at least not by my diabetes nurse, unless you've been handling food or get an unexpected reading. Suits me well.
Click to expand...

That’s why I wrote “perhaps not washing your hands” . I do remember peeling a tangerine for my daughter then testing without washing, I think it’s the highest reading I ever had!
 
lucylocket61 said:
Ps remember to use the side of your fingertips, not the middle.
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mmmm that's why my fingers are so sore sometimes - I didn't realise that's how I should be doing it but sometimes its so hard like trying to get blood out of a stone
 
Lainie71 said:
mmmm that's why my fingers are so sore sometimes - I didn't realise that's how I should be doing it but sometimes its so hard like trying to get blood out of a stone
Click to expand...
It helps a lot if you don't squeeze your fingertip after pricking, as that closes the flow of blood from below.
Instead prick, put your thumb in your palm, grabbing your whole hand and do a quick squeeze up to the fingertip!
 
Antje77 said:
It helps a lot if you don't squeeze your fingertip after pricking, as that closes the flow of blood from below.
Instead prick, put your thumb in your palm, grabbing your whole hand and do a quick squeeze up to the fingertip!
Click to expand...
Thank you for that I will try that - my little fingers bleed straight away but the others don't and I have squeezed them . I will do the other way now
 
Being well hydrated and having warm hands helps a lot too. Some fingers are just poor bleeders, others very generous.
 
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