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Mark Rawlinson

Well-Known Member
Messages
503
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
Does any one else find that some times when doing a finger prick test the results can be suddenly alarmingly high
2 days ago after decent lower numbers I got a 17.4 so did a second test and got 6.4 which I was happy with,
I am using a Contour Plus Blue with Asensia Contour Blue testing strips.
 
theres an error of margin with meters. roughly 10% variance. could depend on a few factors such as if fasting levels or recently digesting some prior complex carbs.. eg macronni for me doesnt appear to make much difference for first couple of hours then raised levels before very slowly coming back down. first droplet wipe away, squeeze again incase its caused by any contamination (eg a little water on finger if not dry - would result in lower figure showing, same as if touched something which has some sugars... could then show as much higher). it could also be worth checking the date on the strips if close to expiry date. could be combination of above.
 
Yes, I’ve had it happen to me on occasion, pulls you up sharp doesn’t it! I’m diet only keto diet so I don’t test a real lot now, only when I have a meal or food new to me & every so often I will have a few days of intensive testing just to make sure I’m on the right track still. The last time it happened was during an intensive testing week.

I got a 14 something 2 hours after a well tested very low carb meal. Washed my hands properly (I usually just wipe with a damp cloth) & retested twice & was in the low 5s. Then I remembered I’d cut up an apple & banana for my son about 30 minutes before the test - phew!
 
Thing is these were same pack of strips, same finger and same drop of blood I didnt re jab as there was still enough blood left
but yes it is alarming
 
There could still have been something in that first drop of blood that also “cleaned” your finger perhaps. In these circumstances I usually start again with a new drop of blood & test twice just to be certain
 
As well as the permitted max 15% variance in glucometer results, there is also an allowable standard for completely off-the-wall results. If I recall correctly it's no more than 5% - ie 19 of 20 must be within the 15%, but one in twenty can be outside that.

I suspect that most glucometers usually do much better than that, but in over five years testing I've had a few completely rogue results. I've also once or twice accidentally re-used a test strip - that can produce a much higher than expected result.
 
Mine won't let you use a previously used strip, comes up with E1
 
Mark Rawlinson said:
Mine won't let you use a previously used strip, comes up with E1
Click to expand...
Yes, I guess it depends on the type of meter used.
I would get an error message with the gluco navii if I tried to use a test strip that had been used previously.
I once had a very high reading when I had some diluted toothpaste on my fingers after cleaning my teeth. Just emphasised the need to wash with soap and rinse and dry hands before testing.
 
Very educative and interesting contributions.
 
I've had this problem a couple of times, after starting from scratch the reading came back lower.
But since I've been doing the tests, the readings have leveled out, so working out foods that send the readings higher is narrowing.
 
hasienbur said:
Finger prick tests are hardly accurate
Click to expand...
There are limits

Blood glucose meters in the UK should meet the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization. However, there are a number of factors which could affect the accuracy of a blood glucose result.

Blood glucose meters in the UK should meet the standards set by the International Organization for Standardization. However, there are a number of factors which could affect the accuracy of a blood glucose result.
www.diabetes.co.uk

They do have their uses, despite this. For checking how what we have consumed affects our blood glucose levels. Indeed they are also recommended to be used to check the accuracy of Continuous Glucose Monitoring sensors.
 
hasienbur said:
Finger prick tests are hardly accurate
Click to expand...
Bit of a strange thing to put on a diabetes website?

I relied on finger prick tests for years and managed my condition successfully.
I now have a freestyle libre CGM and along with my finger prick tests i have moved my control up another level.

They are accurate enough for me.

I wish you well

Tony
 
hasienbur said:
Finger prick tests are hardly accurate
Click to expand...
I would rather have some kind of gage as to my bg than be completely blind. They have their uses but can be hit and miss sometimes. I guess having a continuous monitor would be better but I cannot justify the cost and is that really as reliable.
 
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