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Monitoring problems

C

celly_m

Member
Messages
9
I've was in hospital for four days as I took a bad reaction. I was put on gliclaside and supported to learn how to test bg. The problem is that On Saturday I tested my sugars and it was 17.4 but ten minutes later if that the nurse came and did her observations and my bg was 12.2 I really don't know what is happening. Is my meter thing wrong or is there something else I need to do. I'm really worried as my bg is up and down and I'm really trying hard with what I eat and drink. I've had diabetes for over 2 years but the need for meds is only been for 2 weeks. I'm so confused. :???:
 
Did the nurse use the same method?
The meters tend to get less accurate at the higher levels (and aren't very accurate anyway) but that's more of a difference than I would expect.
There are a few other things that could cause it like contamination - was the test area cleaned before both tests. The test area could make a difference too.

Bg can come down quite quickly but not sure about that much in 10 mins. Did you do anything between tests?

If the problem was a single test then could just be an issue with something getting on the equipment.

What levels are you trying to keep to?


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Also do you know why the reading went up to 17.4, I assume that was unusual.
What had you had to eat/drink prior to that?


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My sugars have been very high as I had a bad chest infection at first they thought I had pneumoniae also had a bad reaction to metformin and simvistatin. When the go saw me my sugars were 20. But I was unable to eat only able to drink. Last Saturday the only thing that was different between test was I had a drink of water. I've only been using meds now for two weeks and I'm really stressing out. I've to try and get my sugars to near 7 as poss.
 
Hi celly_m, is it possible that you may have inadvertently squeezed your finger a little too hard in taking your blood sample as if you squeeze too hard it does something to the blood sample making the readinhg incorrect.

Just a thought as I cant see how two samples so close together would be so different.

I hope you are feeling a little better now and your chest infection is clearing, these things can play havoc with bg levels too.
 
Dehydration can affect the readings but that's still a very big difference.

I guess due to the illness you haven't been able to get any exercise. I found my bg level didn't move much until I started going for gentle walks then it came down quickly - had to be more strenuous to keep it coming down though.

You don't say how the two tests were taken. It is worth doing it again to see if you get the same result and mention it to your nurse. Make another appointment to run the test again if you don't have one soon, the uncertainty won't help your control so you need to get rid of it.
Do you have some control solution to test your meter? What make is it.

What is your diet like. Are you having large infrequent meals - maybe with carbohydrates? Could be something you are eating that doesn't agree with you.

Don't worry too much. I'm sure it will come down, just a matter of finding out how.


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You could check your monitor with some control solution and check the result with the side of the bottle of strips. If you didn't get any with your monitor you should be able to order it from the company, usually free of charge (I think).

Next time the nurse is testing you could do a test from the same sample with your own monitor at the same time.
There will usually be a variation, but not as big as what you describe. Do remember though, you are ill and BG levels will swing about due to this. There was also at least a 10min gap between the two tests, the difference in which would be influenced by when you last ate, when you last had any medication, exercise, and many other factors along with being ill.
 
When I think about it I did squeeze my finger a lot to get blood. I have had about 3 courses of anti biotics to get ride of this chest infection. The gp has been doin blood tests over the last 3 months and it came back all the time sayin I had an infection in my body but they didn't know where it was. I haven't been able to get about as much I just felt so ill and it felt no one thought it was real. I now feel I'm being listened to by medical ppl. I know I'm big but I have a major problem with food so I explained to the diabetic nurse how it's been this way for 20 years. She has referred me to a dietician that specialises in eating disorders. When the nurse looked through my records and she said I have lost 45lbs since I was last seen at a diabetic clinic about a year and a half ago. Unfortunately not lost in the right way. The only thing I do well at is drinking fluids not alcohol I'm tea total lol. It's funny I'm the last 2 week's is the most help and support I have had for diabetes since diagnosed in May 2011. Thanks for answering and your guidance.
 
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