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Question re: blood glucose readings

SheilaCanning

Well-Known Member
Messages
106
Location
English seaside
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
Hello, I bought a Tee2+ on advice here and began my readings yesterday after breakfast when it arrived.
Pre lunch I was 6.1 and 2 hours after 7.7
Pre dinner I was 5.6 and 2 hours after 7.7
I was interested to know what my reading would be when I got up this morning as that's when I often feel a bit light headed and when my high hbac1 was done and my plasma test. Anyway, I couldn't get a reading. First time I assumed there wasn't enough blood but 2nd, third and fourth times I tried (new lancet and strip) it still wouldn't read. Said Er 4 - not enough blood or too viscous. Does anyone know what that means and why?
Thanks so much.
 
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Did the drop “travel” along the strip groove? Are you dehydrated? Any other “sticky” blood conditions that might be relevant?

I don’t use strips (a flat cassette on an accuchek mobile you dab the onto) but remember there’s a knack to “scooping” to strip into the blood drop by sliding it along the finger and into the blood. A very small drop not scooped doesn’t always travel well.

otherwise just try again. It is a bit of an acquired skill. In my first weeks I messed up a lot more than I do now.
 
Er2 means the blood was applied too soon, before the symbol appeared. No rush, there is plenty of time after the symbol appears to stick the end of the strip in the blood.
 
Mr_Pot said:
Er2 means the blood was applied too soon, before the symbol appeared. No rush, there is plenty of time after the symbol appears to stick the end of the strip in the blood.
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I don't know why I wrote err 2 - it was er4!
I've just tried again and the same thing has happened.
 
I understand getting the blood on the strip I think, because after messing up a couple of times I did it fine yesterday.
 
SheilaCanning said:
I don't know why I wrote err 2 - it was er4!
I've just tried again and the same thing has happened.
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Er4 is not enough blood on the strip..
Give your finger a bigger squeeze and "scoop" up a bigger drop of blood.
Your lancet might need setting a bit deeper to get a larger sample.
 
SheilaCanning said:
I understand getting the blood on the strip I think, because after messing up a couple of times I did it fine yesterday.
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The thing to know is that the blood doesn't go ON the strip but it is drawn INTO the strip by capillary action. Stick the very end of the strip into the drop of blood, there is a little window in the strip that you can see fill with blood.
 
I’m going with yesterday your hands were warmer and you were more hydrated so you got bigger drops then. Some fingers are better bleeders than others too. My ring fingers are great, index fingers hopeless and little fingers sting most. And different locations on the same finger too. (Avoid the middle of the pad and the actual top and go for the sides of the pads for comfort)
 
Trying to get a drop of blood out of my left hand side is near on impossible, yet the right hand side is like a tap, no idea why.
 
Its just a knack of getting enough of a nicely rounded drop to suck up the strip.

I usually only test once a day now, but did test at lunchtime for new food. Failed with e4 three times. Obviously just out of practice
 
MrsA2 said:
Its just a knack of getting enough of a nicely rounded drop to suck up the strip.

I usually only test once a day now, but did test at lunchtime for new food. Failed with e4 three times. Obviously just out of practice
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Thanks - I've managed one now. Phew!
 
Yes I forgot there is a knack to it - try and get the blood in to the tiny slot and up to the other square slot - it just takes practice - I don't even think about it now
 
bulkbiker said:
Hopefully it was a nice low number too...
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It was 5.9 before dinner and 6.1 two hours after which I think is good.
Still not getting the carbs super low - I'm using MyFitnessPal and Carbs&Cals and I think it was 60g again. But that's half of what I was eating so...
 
SheilaCanning said:
It was 5.9 before dinner and 6.1 two hours after which I think is good.
Still not getting the carbs super low - I'm using MyFitnessPal and Carbs&Cals and I think it was 60g again. But that's half of what I was eating so...
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It’s great. You’re doing fantastic for a week in. 60g is pretty good for week 1. It’s a marathon not a sprint. If it takes a few weeks that’s nothing in the big scheme of things.
 
HSSS said:
It’s great. You’re doing fantastic for a week in. 60g is pretty good for week 1. It’s a marathon not a sprint. If it takes a few weeks that’s nothing in the big scheme of things.
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Thank you for the encouragement! 40g today!
 
I think sometimes too handling the strip may possibly get a little contamination on the "pick up" area and though the blood sits on it there's a little barrier that prevents it being prcessed.
 
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