New to forum need testing advice

[castigers]

Hi all

New to the site but not so new to diabetes.

A bit of background I am type 2 and control is by exercise and diet (moved to low carbing 5 weeks ago)....my recent test results have been pretty steady ... 6.2, 6.5, 6.2,6.5,6.7 (I test weekly same day same time)

Anyway to my question....i have been testing with the freedom lite unit and have had the results above.....yesterday I received a new testing unit....onetouch ultra easy so as you do I tested this morning and WOW!!! 5.5......great me thinks.

My partner then says hang on you are never that low lets test with your normal unit....low and behold (from same test site) 7.2..err ok whats going on here we think, so out comes my previous freedom lite unit (using same testing strips from my batch), test same spot of blood (I generally get a very big blob when i prick my finger so plenty to go round lol)....8.4!!!

now we start to think this is stupid so I prick another finger (left hand this time for the curious)...use the new one touch machine again.....reading is 6.6.......use the current freedom unit....reading 5.8......use old freedom unit......7.4.

I always wash my hands and change my needles before I lance.....

My question is what am I doing wrong to get that many different readings.... I appreciate I don't have to test as regularly as those on meds etc...but it is important to me that I get accurate results so I can adjust my excercise and eating habits to ensure I don't lose control and have to go onto tablets....anyone got some advice...because it looks to me like these units are not accurate at all......

By the way my last test at the doctors full fasting etc was 6.5

Ta

Andy

 

[cugila]

There have been many threads on here about meter accuracy and taking readings at the same time with more than one meter. Do a search of the Forum using those keywords.......

The main thing is NEVER use more than one meter and you then won't start to get paranoid or worried about the results. All meters are built to the same EC standards and the accuracy can be anything between + or - 20% at times. They are as accurate as present technology will allow at the cost we can all afford. What the future holds....who knows.

Some meters like my own One Touch UltraSamrt actually read a little higher (around 12%) because of the technology used, it is 'plasma calibrated' which means that it is usually more accurate and would be closer to the laboratory test results. If your meter uses 'whole blood' results then that may be lower but still accurate enough for everyday home use.

The differences are not abnormal......you will never get the same readings even from the same spot of blood unless you are extremely lucky as there are way too many variables and even under laboratory conditions they will vary.

So, stick with one meter and then you will be happy with your results.

Ken

 

[castigers]

Thanks for the prompt reply Ken very much appreciated... think I will go with the new meter as it has provided the lowest readings.....lol

I wasn't aware that there was so much 'tolerance' spread on these machines, i guess as long as my numbers stay fairly constant then I only need to start to change things if my numbers unexpectedly rise...I guess that would be when I eat something that does not agree with me...Although to be honest I really enjoy the way I eat now and don't miss bread, sweets rice pasta or potatoes...but thats for a different thread and topic of conversation

cheers

Andy