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Now I'm confused!

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hanadr

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I did as I said I would and compared BG from finger with forearm. I hadn't eeaten and got 5.5 from arm and 6.1 from finger.
Anyone explain it?
 
.. the two figures are within the manufacturers tolerance for variability beween repeated readings from the same site, without accounting for one being less immediate than the other. Sometimes when I'm hypo I don't really believe the first reading (I can't be that low, can I?) The second reading is often several points higher (very rarely lower :? )
 
Hope you're right.6 is too high for me
 
You can't really make a proper judgement from two tests. Though two people getting similar results may be suggestive, but maybe not....

Either way it's very interesting, and I'd love to know if it's the same for everyone! Any why :)

Did you clean your arm as well as you cleaned your finger?
Have you tested the same finger a couple of times, of minutes apart to see if there is a variation?
Have you tested using different fingers a few times a few minutes apart?

I have type 2 and am well controlled so, like other people with type 2, only test to see a general trend. I test twice a week to see if my BG control is going awry. One single higher test isn't significant, unless it's really high or low and out of my normal range. So a difference between 5.5 and 6.1 isn't significant FOR ME - it's up to you to decide if it's significant for YOU.
 
I Never clean skinbefore testing and don't usually spare strips tto "exploration". I'm having to fund them on my pension.
 
hanadr, why don't you clean your skin before testing? I was told it was essential so that anything that might affect the blood sample was cleaned off.
I was advised not to use a certain type of soap, but I can't remember which type :lol:
Anti-bacterial, I think. But maybe not!
 
Nobody ever mentioned cleaning my skin before testing, but I do always wash, rinse & dry my hands thoroughly each time. As far as administering insulin, my diabetes nurse told me that it "was not considered necessary" to clean the skin first "because your body should be able to cope with anything living on the skin"! :? :roll: :lol:
 
Basic rules of good hygiene is too wash hands skin to avoid bacterial contamination and increase blood flow to site you are testing. i just use fingers, not tried forearms yet. if you don't wash/clean area you could give yourself MRSA and that's not a good idea!!
 
manogwent
I'd have to be carrying MRSA to get it and I'm not, also, since I get blood coming out of the "hole", I don't think many bugs will be introduced. If I had something on my hands or had been cooking or eating recently, I would rinse.
I'm not claiming to know everything, but I was trained as a microbiologist and was always a whizz at aseptic technique
 
Well, I am always one for a bit of research...another professional scientist, so here are my results.
Finger 4.1
Forearm 4.8

I have never tried my forearm before, and wasn't that keen, as I had to stab myself twice to get a small blood drop. Again, results within manufactures confidence limits. Interesting that my arm result was higher than my finger, which is opposite to Hana. I don't wipe before testing, unless there is something on my skin that I know will influence the reading...so good to hear that I am not the only one!
 
This is something that has fascinated me for a long time, mostly because the differece can have a massive implication on neonates after birth of diabetic mothers and the potential unnecessary introduction of formula milks. (a neonate's BM's are lower and cut off in our unit for action is 2.6)

I often will test machines, out of curiosty. In fact, whenever I have had a new machine I will always test several sites at the same time, just to see the potential difference. I have also tested the machines in the postnatal wards and SCBU in the same way.

This morning, (after washing my hands) and using a new lancet for each one, I tested all digits and forearm on my left. Straight after each other so time lapse between test no-more than 20 seconds. (Obviously my control is *****, but thats not the issue/focus here)

Thumb 9.8
Forefinger 10.0
Middle Finger 9.0
Ring Finger 8.9
Little Finger 8.6
Forearm 8

This, in my experience is not unusual.

Also, when doing daily checks on the meters at work, using the exact same testing solutions, one high and one low, you never get the same readings twice and its not becuase the solution is breaking anything down over time as it can be higher or lower.
 
If there is a difference of two between all of these sites then dosn't this make testing almost unreliable? i say almost as coming down from 24.4 to just over the higher range of normal in a couple of weeks has shown a difference. however to be two out of sync in just over a minute isn't exactly scientific, especially when advised to test at different sites by the d'nurse. it would tend to suggest one needs to test at the same site each time for a realistic reading. am i being obsessive and the two points is not that relevant?
i think i'm gonna test the same site a few times and see if there is any difference.
 
I have tried forearm testing - its desirable as I'm a musician - but find extreme difficulty in getting a satisfactory blood drop - I bruise my arm.

Putting my tongue firmly in my cheek - Hana is "obviously" getting misleading low results from her forearm & thus deceiving everybody about her level of control - a fact verified by Nemo.

Alternatively, that variation of +- 5% is insignificant, & would only become significant if you regularly test at both sites over a time, with similar results.
 
Fascinating stuff - if I didn't hate stabbing myself I would be tempted to calibrate both hands and then retest on a regular basis to find if I have a "sweet finger" 8)

I guess the main point is not to cheer or panic if you have readings a few points better or worse than the last one, and only look at major trends.
 
Hi Mind doctor
I always test on the inside of my left fore-am. So I assume that my readings are valid. I've just asked Abbott for a new vial of test solution too. I jst aim to keep to below 6 at all times. Let's hope my latest HbA1c confirms that. I haven't been done for a year. I have now collected info on the DIY machine to deliver to my Health Centre when I go for my annual review week after next.
Wish the weight would come down a bit more though.
 
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