Meter readings different on new meter

Hi John

Meters only have to be accurate to within ±20% although they are often better than than. If you did consecutive tests on the same meter with the same drop of blood, I think you might be surprised how different the results can be. I just tried that on my meter and got 5.8 and 6.7 from the same drop (I always go with the first result unless it's suspiciously different).

Best you can do is use the calibration fluid to check the meter is within range and accept that the results give a useful indication of where you BG is, but it's not decimal point accurate.

I read somewhere that we should discard a meter after it has been use for three years because it becomes less reliable.

I read somewhere that we should discard a meter after it has been use for three years because it becomes less reliable.

Ooops! My response posted twice. 'Tweren't me Govner!

Hi John

If you register your meter on the Accu-Chek web site you will be able to order control solution to test that your meter is reading within range.

While its correct that home meters work with in a tolerance of + or - 20% most are more accurate than that and at lower levels were hypos can obviously be dangerous any percentage makes a smaller difference.

ie. Lets assume a meter is out by 6% then a reading at 10 mmol/L could be out by .6 mmol/L + or - whereas a hypo reading of 2.4 mmol/L would only be out by 0.15 mmol/L which would make no difference to your treatment. Even if a meter were out by 10% the difference at a hypo level of say 2.4 would still only be .2 mmol/L making the reading either 2.6 or 2.2 mmol/L.

A meter that was unusually out by the max 20% would make a difference of .5 mmol/L at that same hypo level of 2.4 mmol/L.

The only time it could possibly cause some confusion would be if you meter was out by 20% (most unusual) if your level was say 4.0 then it could be out by + or - .8 which might in these very unlikely circumstances give a false reading of 3.2 meaning that you would treat a hypo that was actually not that low so you would be working on the safe side If the reading was read as being over then it would register 4.8 which may give you false confidence but if you were about to embark on any physical activity at 4.8 most people would eat some slow acting carbs first anyway.

If your level was actually in hypo territory at 3 and your meter was reading over by 20% it would show 3.6 mmol/L so still showing a hypo level.

Thats how percentages work the lower the number a percentage is applied to the smaller any difference will become.

Hope this makes sense as I am dyslexic and sometimes dont express myself well in writing and ramble a bit.